Imo Gov. Elect, Emeka Ihedioha

Imo Governor-Elect, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, has promised to run a responsive and all inclusive government with an independent judiciary that would guarantee unbiased and quick dispensation of justice.

Ihedioha made the promise after receiving his Certificate of Return at the INEC Headquarters in Owerri on Wednesday.

He received the certificate from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, National Commissioner in charge of Imo and Abia, Prof. Okey Ibeanu, flanked by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Francius Ezeonu.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ihedioha’s Deputy, Gerald Irona, and the 27 members-elect of the state House of Assembly were equally presented with Certificates of Return.

Ihedioha extended an olive branch to all who contested the governorship election in the state with him, to join in moving the state forward.

He promised take measures to improve the economy of the state and reposition the local government system to become meaningful to the rural dwellers.

The governor-elect said that a transition committee, made up of major stakeholders would soon be put in place for the smooth take off of his administration.

Ihedioha commended the electorate for the confidence reposed in him and his deputy, and promised not to let them down.

He commended INEC for the courage and patriotism in organising a successful Governorship and Assembly elections in the state, saying the conduct was in accordance with the electoral laws.

Ihedioha advised members-elect of the state House of Assembly to justify the mandate of their constituencies.

He urged them to ensure equity and fairness in all their actions.

Ibeanu, while presenting the certificates, congratulated the governor-elect and others on their victory at the polls and wished them well.

He commended the Imo electorate for choosing their leaders and their commitment to the election.

Ibeanu enjoined the governor-elect to be a leader and a representative of the state and not his party, for a successful administration.

He urged him to also apply what he called post-election healing and be magnanimous to all.

“Bear in mind that you will be serving the same people but different individuals, so that after four years, the people can say they made the right choice,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr Ray Emeana, the State Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), described the victory of Ihedioha and PDP as wonderful, monumental and historic.

He said it was also a manifestation of the wish and will of the people of the state.

Emeana said that with the victory, the people of the state had been liberated.

Mr Pascal Okolie, who was elected to represent Orlu State Constituency, said he felt fulfilled having received the certificate.

He advised the people of the state to exercise patience with the incoming government, saying that a
lot of things went wrong in the state.

“We are expecting the leadership of Ihedioha to deliver, and he will deliver. Correcting the wrongs that happened in the state is a process and not a day’s job. So my advice is for Imo people to have patience, as things will normalise with time,” Okolie said.

Mr Emeka Chinedu, a House of Assembly member-elect, who also received his Certificate of Return, was of the view that the governor-elect had come to rebuild, restructure and refresh Imo.

“Imo people will see something different and new with the incoming government. Ihedioha government will bring positive changes to the state, and in few months, Imo people will smile,” he said. (NAN)