By Lawrence Njoku, Enugu
Ohanaeze Ndigbo has said that Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma’a extraordinary virtues will surely come to bear in his fulfilling the roles that go with his new roles as Chairman of South East Governors’ Forum (SEGF) and Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF).
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation charged the governor to insist on the welfare of Ndigbo in general at all times.
Uzodimma, who is the Chairman of PGF, was, on Thursday night, in Abuja, elected Chairman of SEGF.
Although it was unclear why the governors decided to hold the meeting in Abuja, many observers, however, cited insecurity in the zone. Under former Ebonyi State governor, Dave Umahi, the SEGF collapsed following security threats in the region.
A source disclosed that there was no formal handing over from the past leadership of the forum led by Umahi to the new leadership.
The Guardian gathered that the five governors of the South East, including Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra, Alex Otti of Abia, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi and Peter Mbah of Enugu, were all present at the Abuja meeting.
Meanwhile, Ohanaeze praised the governors for agreeing to come together, even as it felicitated with Uzodimma for his election as chairman of the forum.
In a statement yesterday by the National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, Ohanaeze noted that it had watched with keen interest and admiration the political trajectory of Uzodimma from the National Assembly as a senator to now as Imo governor.
“The grace of God is upon your life. Ohanaeze is delighted that the five South East governors reposed confidence in you. We are even more delighted that the 20 APC governors in Nigeria also reposed confidence in you. We note that while some may be weighed down by the turbulence from one feather, Your Excellency has the sagacity, innate capacity and tensile strength to wear three feathers on your cap as the governor of Imo, Chairman of SEGF and the Chairman of PGF.
“Ohanaeze acknowledges your large heart, assertiveness, audacious achievement motivation, friendly finesse, inter-ethnic legendary and extra-ordinary perseverance in overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The above virtues will surely come to bear in fulfilling the roles that go with the coveted offices,” the statement added.
Source: The Guardian