The Imo Progressive Movement (IPM) has appealed to opposition parties and candidates in the just concluded gubernatorial election to embrace patriotism and display sportsmanship by placing the state first.
National coordinator of IPM, Hon Eugene Dibiagwu made the appeal during a press briefing in Owerri yesterday.
Dibiagwu who doubles as the member representing Ohaji Egbema, Oguta, and Oru West federal constituency told the candidates to support Governor Hope Uzodimma with suggestions and proposals on how to achieve the collective Imo dream.
He said “IPM, appeals to other political parties and candidates who participated in the election to embrace patriotism and display the attitude of true sportsmen. They should not see electoral defeat as the end of their desire to make impact or contribute to the growth of our state.
They should place Imo first and genuinely come forward to support the government with suggestions and proposals about how the Imo of our collective dreams could be attained. This is the right approach towards building a flourishing Imo state”.
Dibiagwu congratulated Uzodimma for clinching the win even as he commended IPM members saying “What is really important to quickly highlight is that the roles and contributions of IPM’s field officers at the grassroots on election day were enormous and effective, and, as the convener of this grand movement, I wish to sincerely thank all of them for keeping faith with our movement and working so hard for our collective victory”.
He however said it was necessary for Imo people to remember the lessons which the governorship election brought noting that they were fundamental.
According to him, for the progress of the state, the people must shun those who were prepared to burn down everything in the state for the sake of their self-serving political ambitions.
He said “What we witnessed in Imo a few weeks to the election confirmed that some political power seekers in the state, especially those who contrived, aided and abetted the illegal and needless NLC impasse and willfully created the blackout in the state, are truly enemies of Imo state who could hurt the lives and livelihoods of our people just to acquire power. They brought agony, misery and pain upon our people. They are never role models in civilized politicking. The need to start restitution by first apologizing to Imo people”.
“By engaging purely in diatribes, propaganda wars, sabotage and desperate blackmails against Imo state, the defeated power seekers displayed shocking lack of preparation for leadership. It would have been catastrophic for our state to fall into the hands of those who never prepared for governance, people who have no agenda for the welfare and well-being of the people. Giving them power would have meant a victory for bloodshed and the triumph of evil over good. It would have been really catastrophic,”
Dibiagwu said.
