Imo State Government has declared that Governor Hope Uzodimma reserves the constitutional and moral right to host the Imo contingent to the just concluded Women African Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco.
It dismissed as mischief and inconsequential the insinuation of tribal inclination by the Governor, who received players of Imo State origin at the State Lodge in Abuja.
In a statement in Owerri, the Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Hon Declan Emelumba, said the social media frenzy was borne out of misinformation and fuelled by mischief makers.
He said although Uzodimma didn’t formally host the contingent in Abuja as being peddled by some social media platforms, he has the right to do so as the Governor and father of Imo State.
“What actually happened was that the victorious squad from Imo State paid a courtesy visit to the Governor at the State Lodge where he received and prayed for them. Thereafter, he promised to host them in Owerri this weekend,” Emelumba explained.
He further disclosed that contrary to the imputation of tribalism against the Governor, he was actually at the airport to receive the entire team and accompanied them to the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Said he, “Perhaps, some people have short memories, otherwise they would have noticed that Uzodimma, on behalf of his brother Governors, announced a donation to each of the girls. That showed his nationalism and patriotism. He never discriminated against anyone.”
The Commissioner noted that the Governor never committed any crime in personally receiving his visitors, who came to identify with him as the father of Imo State.
He asked those who are aggrieved by that courteous gesture to think again: “they may actually be the ones blinded by ethnic and clannish prejudices.”
Emelumba described as malicious and uncalled-for the attacks on the Governor, saying that he has not done any wrong by his gracious act of courtesy and gratitude to young Nigerians from Imo State.
