The Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, has praised the move by some political allies of former Governor Emeka Ihedioha to join the All Progressive Congress (APC).
He commended them for their political foresight, courage and wisdom, describing them as political magnets.
Notable defectors include Chief Chris Okewulonu, a close associate and strong supporter of Ihedioha, who served as his Chief of Staff during his seven-month governorship. Other defectors are Hon Chuma Nnaji, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly and one-time PDP Deputy Governorship candidate in 2015, and Hon Jonas Okeke, the PDP candidate for Okigwe South.
Welcoming the decampees at the state secretariat of the party at the weekend, Uzodimma said he understood what it meant to take such bold decisions, noting that he was not surprised because “genuine members of the political class in Imo State want it to move forward regardless of political leaning.”
He spoke further: “For the wisdom, courage to take this decision, we must commend you, and I welcome all of you to our party. Real stakeholders or political class in Imo State have once more come together. This is Hope Renewed, new programme, new agenda.”
The governor, who used the opportunity to brief the old and new party members on his laudable programmes and projects that will drive human traffic to Imo and put the state on the trajectory of development in the future, said he was not in doubt the new entrants have come to add value to the state given their rich resume in public and private sector.
He noted his dream of fully connecting Imo State via a road network that will cut across the three senatorial zones and require people from all the zones to access one another in record time.
The governor decried the situation where those who claim to be leaders in Imo clandestinely support and even fund insecurity in the state with the attendant killing of innocent people, all in the name of politics.