President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (lefta), with the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma
By Tony Adibe
A political pressure group, operating under the banner of Enugu Coalition Assembly (ECA), has picked holes in the recent appointment of Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinmma, as the ‘Renewed Hope Ambassador’ by President Bola Tinubu, describing it as a misnomer or “a wrong choice.”
NewsBits learnt that the presidential appointment was contained in a press statement released by the State House ahead of the national launch of the Federal Government’s Ward Development Programme.
But reacting to the new appointment given to Governor Uzodinmma through a statement made available to newsmen in Enugu, and signed by the ECA’s leader, a former Chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State, Comrade Adolphus Ude, the group stated that assigning such responsibility to the governor was not the best.
NewsBits recalls that Ude, said to be a grassroots mobilizer, recently defected from his former party, the ruling APC to the opposition African Democratic Party (ADC). Ude had previously served as the Enugu State pioneer Deputy Chairman of the APC.
The ECA claimed that Uzodinmma, who doubles as chairman of the All Progressives Governors, and South-East Governors’ Forum (SEGF), has ”done more harm than good” to the citizens of Imo State and South-East geopolitical zone in general.
The Imo state governor “derives joy seeing his people suffering and that is why most of his policies seem to be anti-human”, the ECA alleged. The group accused the Imo Governor of chasing a selfish political agenda, insensitivity to the decades-old marginalisation of the southeast by Nigeria’s federal government.
“Rather than join hands with his colleagues, governors from Abia, Anambra, Enugu, and Ebonyi States in articulating assorted Regional programmes and policies that would impact positively on the lives of South Easterners, he is only interested in pursuing a selfish political agenda to the detriment of the geo-political zone.
“Uzodinmma is not in any way bothered about the age-long and deliberate marginalization of the people of the South East geo-political zone by successive and current central governments in Nigeria.
“So, as a grassroots mobilization organization that truly understands the plight and yearning of the less privileged in the society, we are using this medium to call on President Tinubu to redouble his effort in addressing the alarming economic woes in the country, including current insecurity challenges,” the political pressure group said.
The group called on the APC-led federal government to “rise up to its responsibility and tackle the pains and suffering of the Nigerian poor masses who are facing serious hardship as a result of the harsh economy.”
NewsBits learnt that as Renewed Hope Ambassador, Uzodinmma will double as the Director-General for Party Outreach, Engagement and Mobilisation. With the appointment, which takes immediate effect, the Imo Governor will be responsible, in collaboration with the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership and the governors, for evangelising the Tinubu-led administration’s programme.
Besides, Uzodinmma will ensure harmony, inclusiveness, and strategic coordination across all levels of the party. He will also be involved in mobilising and engaging people, just as he is expected to work with the APC governors, who will also be Ambassadors of Renewed Hope.
President Tinubu expects Governor Uzodimma and his colleagues to promote and disseminate the party’s achievements and milestones since 2023, thereby reinforcing the message of Renewed Hope nationwide.
NewsBits recalls that Tinubu took office in May 2023 with a reform agenda that his administration claims “is already yielding positive outcomes for the Nigerian economy,” which the ECA, however, was quick to counter, maintaining that the “so-called reforms is yet to reflect in the Nigerian masses.”
The political pressure group insisted that “it is not a hidden fact, citizens of this country are really suffering, many can no longer afford a square meal, some cannot afford their medical bills in the hospital. So, Mr. President should, as a matter of urgency, rise up, and do the needful, rather than allowing his government to make propaganda its watchword.”
