*Owerri Patriots Reacts
Governor Hope Uzodimma seems to be shopping for fresh allies, this time within the grassroots in the State.
This is the basis for his ongoing consultations, with stakeholders in the 27 local governments, barely two weeks he sacked 20 Commissioners, including some of his trusted allies.
As at Friday, he had met stakeholders from three local governments.
However, critics of his administration have faulted the consultations.
A group, Owerri Patriots faulted the move, saying the governor should rather visit the local governments to see things for himself, rather than sit in the comfort of Government House and discuss issues affecting the local populace.
INNONEWS gathered that the Governor is meeting mainly stakeholders of the APC in the various local governments, comprising party leaders, appointees in his government, including those he sacked from his administration lately, and his political foot soldiers.
This newspaper had reported last week that majority of the Commissioners he sacked will not be reappointed due to “under hand practices and acts which were considered inimical to the growth of the 16 months old administration”
Another newspaper report further confirmed our story when it reported that Uzodimma during his meeting with stakeholders from Orlu local government area described the sacked commissioners as “drivers without license”
However, it was gathered that the latest move to receive stakeholders from the LGAs, is to “have first hand information of events in the LGAs, and create a direct bond between himself and his political foot soldiers at the grassroots”
“It is also an avenue for stock taking to know firsthand the pressing needs of the LGAs particularly in the face of rising insecurity across the State
The source continued, “After the consultations, there will be fresh developments. A new set of commissioners will be announced.
“The option of appointing one Commissioner per LGA may be considered. And such commissioner nominee will be one in tune with his people at the LGAs.
“The issue of insecurity is also at the front burner. It is part of the consultations.
However, Owerri Patriots, a socio political group, has kicked against the ongoing consultations, stating that Governor Uzodimma should take governance closer to the people by visiting the local governments rather receiving them at government house.
Emmanuel Egbujuo, President of the group said “Uzodimma should not sit in the comfort of Government House, and receive stakeholders from the LGAs.
“He should visit the local governments. This will enable him have first hand information of the needs and problems of those at the grassroots” Egbujuo said