The All Progressives Congress (APC) gave Imo Governor Hope Uzodimma the governorship ticket for his pursuit for a second term on Friday.
Uzodinma received 63,618 valid votes in the Owerri primary election, where he was the only candidate.
Rear Adm. Williams Kayoda (ret.), the chairman of the seven-member 2023 Governorship Primary Election Commission, said that 64,667 delegates from the 305 wards of the 27 Local Government Areas have been granted voting credentials.
According to Kayoda, the exercise was carried out in accordance with the party’s Constitution, the 2022 Electoral Act (as amended), the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and the rules established by the party’s national leadership.
“During our brief visit, we appointed ward and local government area committees for the election.
“My responsibility was to uphold democratic values and make sure that it is ethically and legally backed, constitutional, and legitimate.
“In accordance with that mandate, we held the primary election by direct primary in all 27 Local Government Areas,” he stated.
With the governor’s backing, Kayoda said the exercise was calm, rancor-free, and trouble-free.
In his acceptance address, Uzodimma thanked the delegates and party supporters for their faith in him.
“I shall treasure today’s triumph for a very long time since it is one that is devoted to the Almighty God.
“For me, I regard it as a vote of confidence from the members of our great party and the whole Imo people,” he stated.
He remembered that he had prayed to God before running for office and that God had never let him down.
Looking back, you’ll concur with me that there is a significant difference between where we met Imo state in 2020 and where we are in 2023.
“If that’s what moved you to dare me to go on, I can guarantee you that I’ll try my best to uphold the trust you’ve placed in me.
“I ask God to grant me the bravery, insight, knowledge, and resources I need to transport Imo to its intended location.
Pray for me when you get home.
“If not for the enormous sums of money we spent battling insecurity, the Imo you see today would have been three times better, but God Almighty has intervened.
“We’ll double our speed moving forward,” he declared.
He pleaded with the party supporters to remain fearless in the face of opposition party propaganda, harassment, and threats of death. This was especially important as the election approached.
The governor’s victory, according to Mr. MacDonald Ebere, the party’s state chairman, was not unexpected to the state’s residents.
“What you have accomplished in the past three and a half years of your presidency is absolutely nothing.
“Uzodimma’s signature projects, infrastructure improvement, and economic policies are things of which Imo people are proud.
“There is no dissenting voice for all that you have accomplished or for the people of Imo,” he said.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Imo governorship election will take place on November 11.
