My successor has to be courageous, Uzodimma tells Imo political leaders

Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo, says he cannot possibly solve all the problems plaguing the state.

He added that his successor has to be courageous to continue the “good work”.

The governor spoke during a meeting with Owerri zone leaders, under the aegis of Owerri Harmony Project, at the government house.

He said the state’s political stability has improved, allowing for constructive conversations about its leadership future.

Uzodimma urged leaders to avoid overheating the polity and to embrace unity in preparation for future political transitions.

“There was a time when we lost our state, but we have recovered and restored its honour. Peace is essential for progress. Without it, society struggles to survive, and rules lose their meaning. Thankfully, we now have an environment where we can practice good politics,” he said.

On power rotation, the governor said the charter of equity will not be jettisoned, stating that merit would be what to look out for.

“I will not solve all the problems in Imo. I will do the ones I am able to do but the man coming after me should be able to do some. So, we must use taxpayers money for our people. We will support merit. We must look for merit because we need a man who is courageous,” he said.

“You saw the insecurity that greeted my emergence. You see, by the grace of God, we were able to survive it.

“So, what we need is a well focused, bold, courageous man. That is my prayer for the kind of person that will be my successor. The person who may not be a troublemaker but must fight if fight is necessary.”

The governor warned that political ambition should not breed enmity. He cautioned leaders to be wary of external influences that might seek to sow discord.

“Very soon, external forces will approach you, tell you that you are the best candidate for governor, and even offer incentives. But after the elections, they will abandon you. We must differentiate between personal desires and collective interests,” he said.

Uzodimma urged the leaders to promote unity, tolerance, and reconciliation, adding that political ambition should not overshadow the collective good.

“When I took office, I met a debt portfolio of N298 billion, which we reduced to N110 billion by 2021. Our internally generated revenue has grown from N400 million to nearly N5 billion monthly. These are results of focused governance,” he added.

“I am not discussing politics now because I still have three years in office unless, of course, you want to poison me here! Let us first create awareness, consult, reconcile, and unite. Politics should be pursued with love and understanding, not confrontation.

“In the end, it is not about how many properties we own but the impact we leave behind. Let us focus on what truly matters.”

Uzodimma has been governor of Imo since 2020. He was re-elected for a second term in 2023.