‘I won’t give delegates a kobo’ — Sam Amadi to vie for LP Imo guber ticket

Sam Amadi, former chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has joined the race to pick the governorship ticket of the Labour Party (LP) in Imo state.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Amadi said he was inpired to vie for the LP governorship ticket by the political leadership of Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate. 

The LP  governorship primary election in Imo is holding today.

“My belief that the party under Mr Peter Obi offers the best opportunity to Imo people to throw away the shackles of corrupt and criminal leadership that started long ago,” Amadi said.

“Mr Peter Obi’s emergence as a light in the tunnel of Nigeria’s political leadership gave me the hope that the Labour Party that he leads will represent a real commitment to a new politics. This hope further encouraged me to join the governorship primary contest.

“It is important to say that some well-meaning Imo people continue to doubt that the personality and excellence associated with Mr Peter Obi has rubbed off deeply on the structure and institutions of the Labour Party, and that the Labour Party for all essential purposes is different from the other parties as ill-defined machines for electoral transactions. 

“I had my doubt about the metamorphosis of the Labour Party even with the light of Mr Peter Obi. But after conversations with Mr Peter Obi and the national leadership, I stepped out to be one of the aspirants.” 

Amadi said receiving a lot of support from Imo people in all political parties has been an honour. 

He said “Obi-dients” have been tremendous in their support, noting that he was overwhelmed by the best wishes of the party leaders “who recognise that I am the best person to take Imo away from the terrible trajectory that previous and present governments have placed it”. 

“Today, as the delegates decide on the candidate for the party, I wish them the wisdom and courage to vote right. I must note that events of the last few days are dashing my hope that the party is ready to be a vanguard of change that will mobilize Imo people against Hope Uzodinma administration,” Amadi said. 

“The leadership does not want to learn from the tragic event of the collapse of APGA in 2018. The open bazaar for delegates has commenced, contrary to the assurances that Labour Party is determined to avoid the path of ignominy that led to defeat for APGA in 2019 elections.

“I must state clearly that I will not participate in the buying and selling of delegates in any form. I have offered myself, my integrity, my competences, and my courage to dislodge Hope Uzodinma and to mobilize the people to build a new Imo that is secured, prosperous and accountable. I will not give anyone one kobo. 

“I have given everything. I have dedicated myself entirely to be an exemplary  chief executive of the state. I am coming to serve the people and to sacrifice everything to make Imo the most successful black state in the world. 

“Delegates should vote for me if they like the message; or vote for another person if they like the money.”