Leaders from the Okigwe senatorial zone of Imo State have disowned one of their sons ,Dr Fabian Ihekweme over what they described as unwarranted and unjustified attacks on Governor Hope Uzodimma.
Apart from condemning the action of Ihekweme, a one time Commissioner under Uzodimma, they resolved to summon him to show cause why he should not be sanctioned for his indiscretion
At a meeting which held at the official residence of the Speaker of the state Assembly, Hon Chike Olemgbe, the leaders unanimously passed a vote of confidence on Gov Hope Uzodimma, saying that they owe him a lot of gratitude for extending quality appointments and infrastructure to the zone.
In attendance at the meeting included current and former national and state assembly members, the Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Chief Cosmas Iwu, business mogul, Chief Tony Chukwu, former INEC chairman, Prof Maurice Iwu, foremost traditional rulers among others.
They were unhappy with Dr. Ihekweme for his show of disrespect to the governor to the extent of attacking him in the media.
They believed that such an irreverent act was capable of portraying the people of the zone as ingrates, especially given Uzodimma’s generous gestures to them.
In passing a vote of confidence in the governor, the Okigwe Apex leaders reeled out the developmental initiatives for the zone by the governor, arguing that they needed to encourage him to do more for them.
They commended the governor for the juicy appointments he gave to them, the reconstruction of Owerri- Okigwe and Owerri-Obowo-Umuahia road and other projects.
They set up a committee to invite Dr Ihekweme to hear his own side of the story while Okigwe Sons and Daughters were cautioned to refrain from maligning government officials in the media.
Among the more than 30 delegates to the meeting were the Speaker, the Senator representing the zone,Patrick Ndubueze and two members of the national Assembly from the zone, Chike Okafor and Miriam Onuoha.
Full text of the Communique:
COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF OKIGWE APEX LEADERS MEETING HELD ON SATURDAY THE 2ND DAY OF NOVEMBER 2024 AT THE OFFICIAL RESIDENCE OF RT. HON. CHIKE OLEMGBE THE SPEAKER OF IMO STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY.
INTRODUCTION
The meeting had in attendance all Apex leaders of Okigwe Zone, which includes serving/former National and State House of Assembly members, Present and past State Government appointees, Technocrats, and Traditional Rulers. The meeting which started at exactly 5pm, had the presence of over 30 attendees. The Host; the Rt Hon Speaker, after welcoming the various Apex leaders from the 6 local Governments of Okigwe Zone presented Colanut which was blessed by HRM Eze Oliver Ohanwe.
OVERVIEW
In his welcome address, the RT Hon Speaker pointed out that the meeting ought to have come earlier than this except for some challenges in the state which included insecurity. He applauded His Excellency Dist. Sen. Hope Uzodinma for the Numerous key appointments given to Okigwe Sons and Daughters. The Speaker also Appreciated the Governor for the numerous projects he has done and still doing in Okigwe Zone, which include but are not limited to the Owerri Okigwe Expressway, the Owerri Obowo Expressway and other various life-impacting projects done in the zone under his administration. He highlighted the need for peace and unity among Okigwe leaders and the need to always speak with one voice.
In his opening remarks, the Senator representing Okigwe Zone in the National Assembly Senator Patrick Ndubueze thanked the Speaker for this initiative and stated that the sole purpose of the meeting is for Okigwe leaders to chart a way forward. He also appreciated the Governor for his Good works in the zone and frowned at the unnecessary attacks against the Governor by a few elements in Okigwe Zone and the need for Okigwe leaders to distance themselves from such despicable behavior.
In his remarks, Chief Tony Chukwu (Onweghi ihe Kariri Chineke) thanked the Speaker for the meeting and suggested that Okigwe leaders should summon Hon. Fabian Ihekwueme to ascertain what led to the incessant attacks against the Governor His Excellency Dist. Sen. Hope Uzodinma. This was immediately followed by a remark by Rt Hon. Dcn. Chike Okafor member representing Okigwe South at the House of Representatives who stressed the need for this type of leadership meeting to be sustained among Okigwe leaders. Regarding the media attacks against the Governor by Hon Ihekweme who hails from Obowo LGA same as the Hon Member, he stated that Obowo LGA has since summoned a meeting and has condemned the act and suggested that Okigwe Leaders should tow the same path. He reiterated that Hon Ihekwueme is not speaking the mind of either Obowo or Okigwe leaders given the numerous achievements recorded by the Governor’s Administration in the zone to which Obowo has also benefitted.
The Secretary to the Government Chief Cosmos Iwu after thanking Okigwe leaders in Government for their support to the Governor, also emphasized the need for Hon Ihekwueme to be called to order before his actions dampen the Governor’s zeal in doing more for the people of Okigwe Zone.
The member representing Okigwe North in the National Assembly Rt Hon. Princess Mirian Onuoha acknowledged Okigwe leaders who have previously held such meetings while appreciating the Speaker. She condemned Hon Fabian Ihekweme for what she described as frivolous and unsubstantiated media attacks against the Governor.
Other Notable leaders of the zone who spoke at the meeting include Former INEC National Chairman Prof. Maurice Iwu, One time Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly Rt Hon Maxwell Duru, HRM Eze Oliver Ohanwe, Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu, Chief Peter Orji (Big Doo), and Chief Francis Ihechere. The leaders unanimously concurred with the Opinion that Hon Fabian Ihekwueme should be summoned and called to order and also condemned the incessant attacks against Okigwe leaders in the media space. They also commended the Governor for his good work and pleaded that he should be encouraged to do more. The highlight of the meeting was a motion moved by Rt Hon Dcn Chike Okafor for a vote of confidence to be passed on to the Governor for his numerous achievements. The motion was seconded by Rt Hon. Princess Miriam Onuoha.
RESOLUTIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the above, Okigwe Apex leaders resolved as follows:
- A vote of Confidence was unanimously passed on the Governor His Excellency Dist. Sen. Hope Uzodinma
- The Apex leaders from the zone pledged to keep supporting His Excellency Dis. Sen. Hope Uzodinma for the juicy appointments like the position of an SGI, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, as well as Commissioner for finance just to mention a few and countless SA positions given to Okigwe zone Sons and daughters
- A committee was set up to invite Hon. Fabian Ihekwueme to look into his grievances against the Governor.
- A delegation was set up to immediately convey an Invitation for a meeting to Hon Fabian Ihekwueme the next day at the Speakers Lodge
- The Speakers Lodge will henceforth be the meeting point for Okigwe Leaders and meetings will be held from time to time
- The leaders resolved that All Okigwe Zone sons and Daughters should be cautioned to henceforth desist from attacking Government officials both elected and appointed who are from and outside Okigwe Zone on the social media space.
APPRECIATION
The various Apex Leaders at the meeting expressed profound gratitude to the Speaker Rt. Hon Chike Olemgbe for hosting this timely and important meeting. Senator Patrick Ndubueze in his closing remarks thanked the leaders for attending this all-important meeting and wished them all a safe journey back to their various homes. In his vote of thanks Eng. Alex Mbakwe followed suit by Thanking the Speaker for being a good host and also the leaders for attending the meeting, which ended at exactly 7:30