George Onyejiuwa, Owerri

Owerri the Imo capital was literally shut down Wednesday, with vehicular movement coming to a stand as an unprecedented crowd of Imo people held a solidarity march along the major roads of the state capital in support of the governorship ambition of Deputy Governor Prince Eze Madumere.

Various groups in the state have recently been lobbying support for the candidacy of the Imo state Deputy Governor.

The people numbering over three thousand had come to Ohaji/Egbema, Nwangele, Nkwerre and Mbailtoli councils of the state, marching round the metropolis before converging at the deputy’s office.

Chief Chidi Nwaogu, an organizer of the march, told media that the political event was the first of its kind in Imo state, the aim of which was to urge Madumere to contest in the 2019 governorship polls; suggesting that Madumere was the most qualified aspirant suitable to govern the south-eastern state.

Nwaogu pointed out that Madumere fits within the 12 points criteria released by Governor Rochas Okorocha for aspirants for governorship, adding that with Madumere, APC is assured of victory the come 2019 general elections.

“According to the Governor’s criteria, Madumere has the capacity, he is competent, an administrator per excellence; he is humble, loyal, crises resolution expert, man of the people and most importantly he has got the cognate experience in Nigeria and in the diaspora. He has been tried and tested and he delivered at all times.”

With placards that read “‘For Imo governorship 2019, ask for Mr. integrity, Mr. incorruptible’, ‘Vision 2019’, ‘Madumere all the way’, ‘It’s Madumere or…’,” among others, Barr. Chidi said the crowd had come to identify with the Deputy Governor.

“Please Madumere; join the race for consolidation,” Nwaogu said. “We are urging him to come out and we advised other friends of Madumere and lovers of good things to identify with the vision.”

Also speaking, member representing Mbaitoli in the House of Assembly, Hon. Ifeanyi Nnataraonye described the solidarity march as unique, pointing out Madumere’s record in both private and public sectors as qualifying him to succeed Governor Okorocha.

Ekweremba Princewill, who led the group from Ohaji/Egbema pointed to Madumere’s contributions to the peace of the oil-producing area, saying that the youth of the region are behind him.

Similarly, Nwafor Isaac from Nwangele said: “We support Madumere because he is humble and humane, adding that most of those parading themselves as leaders were mentored and guided by Madumere, including some of them that are jostling for both governorship and other political positions. They seem to have forgotten where they are coming from and how they started. For us, it is not our culture to disrespect our elders and those that nurtured and brought us to lime light. We love justice, equity and fair play and we cannot afford to do this evil against our brothers from other zones. This is the turn of Owerri zone and it is unquestionable. There is no controversy about this,” he submitted.

Addressing the crowd at the Deputy Governor’s office, the Special Adviser to the Deputy Governor on Political Matters, Chief Chris Nwaike, commended the people for their solidarity with Madumere, who was not himself present at the march.