Tony Ejiogu, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA,has expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome of the November 11off cycle governorship election in Imo State
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had declared candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Governor Hope Uzodimma, winner of the election.
In a statement he signed, Ejiogu said he with other candidates and political parties that participated in the Imo governorship election have expressed their displeasure over the level of irregularities, incompetence and violence that marred the election.
He said his ambition to be the next governor of the State is not greater than his desire to see Imo prosper in peace, love and unity.
The full statement reads;
“It is with utmost humility and appreciation I greet you all.
“This is my first-time trudging into the murky waters of politics as a direct participant. Be it as it may, I glorify God’s name and his mercies endures forever. Many never gave me a chance to show my capacity; others fought me, and many castigated and vilified me, but in all we came, we saw and all of us conquered together.
“Much as the governorship election has come and gone, my relationship with all remains saintly, trusting and more rewarding. The outcome is surely unsatisfactory for me and my supporters, and much worse is the conduct of the election itself which leaves us more worried for the future of democracy and leadership in Nigeria.
“Along with other candidates and political parties that participated in the Imo governorship election, we have expressed our displeasure over the level of irregularities, incompetence and violence that marred this election, and the performance of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the electoral umpire.
“While we admit that there will always be one winner in any election, we believe that both the winner and loser should exit the battlefield knowing that they had a fair chance. This is not the case for us, and we are surely not happy.
“However, my ambition to become the next governor of Imo state is not greater than my desire to see Imo prosper in peace, love and unity, most especially for the wind of development to start blowing across all our communities.
“Please let us use this period of solemn reflection to love ourselves the more and believe in our quest to reclaim our lost glory on a sincere ground of love, trust, brotherhood, and hope for a better tomorrow.
“The audacity to dream is the masterstroke for a new Imo. All the long nights, emotional troubles, financial burdens, investments, sacrifices, family pressures, friendship burdens and near distrust, which is concomitant with politics has made us wiser, and better aware that indeed, for a better Imo, we must stick together.
“In one voice we must keep pushing for the fundamental result which is to rebuild Imo. Do not be discouraged by the ugly past and skewed present but remain resolute that the great future of our collective dream is possible. Therefore, all hands must be on deck from now to reclaim the people’s mandate and move on for a better Imo.
“I wish to say a big thank you to the great leader of our party, Governor Charles Soludo, our National Chairman, Mr. Sly Ezeokenwa, members of the National Working Committee, the entire Imo state APGA family and all our supporters. I remain your willing solider, under God’s army.