BY RALPH EJIMKONYE
President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to Imo State on Thursday, September 9, has generated diverse reactions from the three leading political parties in the State.
The ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, differed on the objectives of Buhari’s visit to the State.
In a statement signed by APC spokesman, Cajethan Duke, the APC called on “all Imolites, particularly members of our great party to come out enmasse to welcome Mr.President in our usual disposition of warmest hospitality”
According to the APC, President Buhari is expected to commission some of “the transformational and significant projects of the shared prosperity administration of His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma”
“Some of the projects include, the Naze junction/Federal Poly, Ihiagwa, FUTO, Obinze, totalling over 14km; the ballon technology for the control of erosion in the State capital, urban renewal projects.
“Mr.President, will also meet with our reverred Traditional Rulers, the clergy, captain of industries as well as leaders of the apex Igbo socio cultural organization, Ohaneze Ndigbo”
The PDP, however kicked against the visit.
In a statement signed by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Ogu Bundu Nwadike, the party said the visit is a mockery of Imo citizenry.
The PDP accused Governor Hope Uzodimma of running Imo State from exile, describing him as “an absentee governor, and “the state of affairs in Imo State, appalling and tear-jerking”
The PDP said “it is a well known fact that the governor has done very little to improve the infrastructural status of the State.
“There are no projects in any sector of the economy. Infact, the little economy of the State has been eroded by bad governance.
“Today petroleum marketers in the State have jerked up pump prices of petroleum products because there is no government to negotiate with them over their grievances
The PDP said it is at a loss what the presidential visit is all about.
“We ask this because the Uzodimma government has no project to commission or showcase. There is therefore no basis for the State visit of Mr.President”
The party noted that “for us in the PDP, the presidential visit is a delibrate ploy to mock the people of the State to their very face. This is callous and inhuman”
The All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, in a statement signed by its Chairman, John Iwuala, called on the President “to apologize to Ndimo for the bad leadership his party, APC has imposed on Ndi Imo right from the former APC Governor of Imo State till this present Governor
“Imo APGA is telling Mr.President to go beyond Wethedral and Okigwe roads, commissioning of demolished roundabouts and installation of traffic lights to visiting some LGA headquaters in the State and see for himself”