To his critics, he seems to them, from the beginning to end, a most unlikely candidate to win the 2019 Governorship election in Imo state. But providence was aligned in his favour. In spite of all the odds against him, Senator Hope Uzodimma believed in hope. Ever since that very unforgettable day, January 14, 2020, when the Supreme Court of Nigeria sacked Mr. Emeka Ihedioha, and declared Uzodimma winner of the election, Gov. Uzodimma has remained larger than the sum of his parts. He had the good fortune to face overrated opponents at the time they were most vulnerable. But there was another reason, and it was more important than the others. Gov. Uzodimma has this unremitting vision of Imo state.                     

The vision was the thing. It was a vision frozen in time, which made it more powerful than transitory vision. Others didn’t see it.  But Hope saw it and believed in it. That was why the Supreme Court’s verdict stunned them. That’s why even now, 32 months into Uzodimma’s tenure, his legion of critics are yet to come to terms with it. They forget one of life’s best lessons that goes thus: What’s done is done, what’s gone is gone, and learning how to let go and move on is life’s ultimate realism. While his political opponents are still looking back, Uzodimma is looking forward. Again, that’s why you still hear this absurd argument against his emergence as Governor.                                          

And you ask: where did Hope Uzodimma go wrong? His Special Adviser on Public Enlightenment, Prince Eze Ugochukwu, has offered, what I consider, one of the most lucid and straightforward arguments against the governor’s traducers. He says,”Sen. Uzodimma only went to court because he’s a believer in justice, and the court as the last refuge of the common man. After all, progressive societies are founded and built on the values of truth and justice”. According to Ugochukwu, Uzodimma “did one thing and one thing only. He asked the court to add the results of 388 polling units that were not tabulated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)”.          

Ugochukwu further argued that “INEC agreed in court that the said results from the polling units were not included when the final results were announced for the governorship election”. The Supreme Court agreed with the submission of his lawyers. Consequently, it ruled that the results be tabulated by INEC, which in the end, favoured Uzodimma. But be sure, Uzodimma’s habitual critics will continue to make this rehashed, absurd argument as the next election draws closer. But, the man says he has since moved on, to focus on matters of development. The truth is, Uzodimma is not the only Governor to win his case at the Supreme Court. Some serving and past governors came to office because the apex court believed their case had merit.

Within these 32 months that he has been in the saddle, there’s a near general agreement, a balanced viewpoint that Uzodimma has done well in implementing his goals of: “Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Recovery”. This is despite perverse politics in the state. He’s fortunate enough to surround himself with people who share his beliefs and whose talents are turned in the direction of implementing them. In my view, his intelligence as a political leader, is more functional than reflective. That, in a way, makes him a target by his opponents. But, it’s working for him.  Gov. Uzodimma comes across to many to be at his best when under pressure. He’s like an actor who must be prepared, but awaits the call of others before he can come onto the stage. That’s what reasonable and calculating politicians do.                         

And he has accomplishments to showcase in critical sectors of the state. These are evident in infrastructure development, a signature landmark of his administration, as well as the economy of the state. These accomplishments earned him the “Governor of the Year, 2021” from The Sun newspapers. In two years alone, governor Uzodimma has constructed over 50 roads across the 27 Local Government Areas of the state. Last month, he flagged off the construction of three separate roads, the largest being a 46km Owerri-Mbaise-Umuahia dual carriageway. His administration has also revived public water supply long abandoned by his predecessors. He has also significantly reduced public sector corruption by automating the public payroll system, hitherto fraught with rancid corruption. This has ensured that public servants and pensioners are paid promptly. He also points to many landmark projects that are his creation, his gift, and the legacy to his leadership.    He is quick to point them out. For instance, what was the state of the Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH) located in Orlu before he assumed office? The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Dr Ifeanyi Mbamala, often talks about the sorry state of the hospital prior to now, which made the institution to be denied accreditation. The story is now different. The institution has received huge financial assistance from the state government.    

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The necessary medical facilities such as digital X-ray machines, dialysis and mammogram machines, biology and chemical pathology machines all in place now. Besides, the hospital is now equipped with 100 beds. For the first time in years, the medical school was able to graduate two batches of 130 students who last year took their Hippocratic oath. That is a unique feat in healthcare system in the state. Just last week, Uzodimma got the approval of President Buhari for the Federal Government to establish a teaching hospital for the Federal University of Technology, Owerri ( FUTO). The National Universities Commission (NUC) is reported to have approved the commencement of a medical college by FUTO.                 

Uzodimma also says with satisfaction that his development strides are focused on diversifying the economy of the state, with a competitive cutting-edge in agriculture that will drive food security, help create wealth and employment opportunities in both urban and rural areas.  Imo state has been selected as one of the four pilot states for  the establishment of Special Agro-Processing Zones(SAPZ),  a government-enabled, private sector-driven action plan by the African Development Bank(AfDB). The programme is aimed at quickening the transformation of the agricultural sector value chain in the country. 

The revival of Acharaubo Integrated Farm Estate at Emekuku in Owerri North Local Government Area is an example. The farm has 15,000 birds, 300 goats and 200 pigs. It also has provision for feed mill and a cassava processing plant. Also, worthy of mention is the revival of  Standard Shoes industry which was shut down in 2009 due to lack of working capital. The state government has settled a debt of N1.6bn with the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON).            

By far, the biggest agricultural project in the state is the N350bn Adapalm project located in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area. It’s the largest oil mill in West Africa covering 140 hectares of land, and capable of employing about 5,000 people. Before now, the oil mill was moribund as a result of mismanagement and conflict with the host communities. That has been resolved. According to new deal signed, the state government has 14 percent equity share, the host community 5 percent, while the core investor, Roche Group and other stakeholders have 81 percent. If well-managed, Adapalm has the potential to turn around the economy of the state.                      

The state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) is projected to increase to N5bn this fiscal year from N874million before Uzodimma assumed office.  Gov Uzodimma’s legacy will not be complete without tackling insecurity in the state. Having recorded a remarkable achievement in infrastructure, he needs reminding that security of lives, property and welfare of the people should be the primary purpose of any government. He must pay adequate attention to security, because top on the list of what any investor is looking for in a place is security for his investment.