- As Alleged Islamic Incursion In Imo Worries Cleric
Ahead of the governorship election in Imo State, lack of qualitative education, industrialization, unemployment and proper medicare have been identified as some key areas calling for quick attention in Imo State.
The above sectors dominated the centre stage during the political debate for all the governorship candidates in Imo state recently organised by the Imo State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) at the All Saints Anglican Cathedral Church Egbu Owerri.
Setting the pace at the occasion was the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the state Capt. Emmanuel Ihenacho who was the first to present his manifesto.
The former Minister of Interior among other things remarked that the above areas were the key challenges to the development of the state stating that his blue print on the state would fix them.
Other candidates who spoke thereafter among other things, also adopted the said areas as the major problems bedevilling the state. They also promised to have solutions to them if voted into power.
In his own remark at the occasion, while agreeing with other contestants on the above areas, the candidate of Labour Party Barr. Ngozi Olehi, also saw due process, accountability, transparency in governance and rule of law as inevitable for the development in the state.
In his own presentation, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party among other things said that having been in government since 1992 that he had the best experience to govern the state.
Earlier in his remark, the Chairman of the Organising Committee for the event and Anglican Bishop of Okigwe South, the Rt. Rev. David Onuoha, while warning against the destruction of campaign bill boards of political opponents also admonished candidates for elections to see fellow contestants as opponents and not enemies. The cleric among other things frowned at the habit of always heading to the law court by losers of elections in the state. The climax of his speech was his question to a candidate on how he would stop incursion of Islam in the state if voted into power.
Other candidates who participated in the debate were Ken Ojiri for the Accord Party, Dr. Osmond Ukanacho for United Progressives Party and Capt. David Mbamara of the Social Democratic Party.
Most of the candidates also attended with their running mates, party officials and supporters.
There were few songs and hymn singing as interlude at the event.
The occasion was very peaceful and well conducted under the guide of the Chairman of CAN in the state Bishop Stanford Nworgu.
The event ended with prayers on the candidates and also for the peaceful conduct of the oncoming elections.
Ironically, the incumbent governor and governorship standard bearer of the All Progressives Alliance in the state Owelle Rochas Okorocha was conspicuously absent and was not represented at the occasion. However, it was reported that the governor travelled out of the state on an official assignment.
