Elders of Imo have adopted the immediate past governor of the state and governorship candidate for Accord Party (AP), Dr. Ikedi Ohakim, as the next governor of the state.
The elders, drawn from the 27 local governments of the state, under the auspices of Imo State Elders Advisory Council, endorsed Ohakim for the governorship election slated for March 9, at a well attended summit at the Cathedral of Transfiguration of Our Lord (CATOL), Owerri, yesterday.
They said they were “convinced and confident that Ikedi Ohakim is the only candidate, who undoubtedly possesses the qualities to be the next governor of Imo, having passed the muster of the issues considered by ISEAC.”
In a communique signed by Chief Simeon Udunka, representing Okigwe Zone; Chief Reuben Okoro, representing Orlu Zone; Sir Eustace Eke, representing Owerri Zone; Uwalaka Obinna (Secretary), Chief Ralph Obioha (Chairman), ratified and adopted by plenary of Imo State Elders Advisory Council on Tuesday, said: “Having concluded and risen from our deliberations on the above, and objectively scored the candidates aforementioned, the council, therefore, unequivocally and unanimously resolved to support the candidature of Dr. Ikedi Godson Ohakim for the office of the next governor of Imo State, come May 29, 2019.”
The elders called on the people of the state to vote massively for Ohakim, adding that they should use every lawful means to campaign for him.
According to the elders, they arrived at their choice of Ohakim after a voting process, where the candidate of the PDP, Emeka Ihedioha scored 4, Senator Hope Uzodimma scored 3, Okey Every scored 0 and Ohakim scored 34, adding that they had interviewed the candidates and Ohakim met their criteria.
Speaking during the occasion, the Chairman of the council, Chief Ralph Obioha, said the development of the local governments is very important to the elders, adding that the people of the state can only develop when the local governments function well.