Hope Uzodimma, the governor of Imo State, claimed on Sunday that Emeka Ihedioha left behind a failing state.
In a broadcast in Owerri, the state capital, to commemorate his third year in office, Uzodimma also mentioned the absence of a handover message.
Although he claimed to have faced enormous obstacles since seizing control, he claimed to have overcome them.
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Despite the difficulties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the alleged politically induced insecurity, according to Uzodimma, his administration had accomplished exceptional feats in under 36 months.
The governor claimed that despite inheriting a failing road system, he was able to build an unfathomable number of high-quality roads that twice brought President Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) to the state.
Although the state now has one of the best civil service systems in the federation, Uzodimma claimed that the system he inherited was nothing to write home about.
He added that since taking office as governor, he had modernized the state’s conventional institutions as well as the courts.
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He said “The Imo State we met in January 2020 on the assumption of office can best be described as something very close to the political definition of a failed state, this time at a sub-national level. For all practical purposes, we met a state with a decayed infrastructure, a dysfunctional workforce and a deeply despondent and traumatised populace. There was hardly any single motorable road across the state. The state capital of Owerri, in particular, was littered with unmotorable roads and dilapidated government buildings.
“The Civil Service was a good example of a disoriented and directionless institution with no regard for regulations and due process. As a consequence, the productivity and reputation of the Civil Service dropped to zero. For a state like Imo which was renowned for its efficient and reputable civil service, this collapse was a major dent in our pride and reputation.
“The general populace, dismayed by the inexplicable failure of government, relapsed into utter despondency and hopelessness, like sheep without shepherds. Yes, the situation was that bad.
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“The situation was made worse by the fact that we had no handover note, and there was nobody to ask questions about the government’s assets and liabilities. We were faced with a dead end on arrival. Our situation was worse than talking to the deaf and dumb. It can only be comparable to the ordeal of someone groping in the dark in search of a pin.
“Yes, it was that daunting. But we refused to be deterred. I am not the one to give excuses for failure. By my election, I had reached a social contract with Ndimo to move our state forward. And that, for me, was a task that must be accomplished.
“To make a very bad situation even worse, it appeared that the god of oddities was temporarily on the throne. While we were trying to navigate an already messed up ship without a compass, the COVID-19 pandemic reared its ugly head with its negative consequences on the global, national and state economies, in addition to an unprecedented toll on human life.
“As if that was not enough trouble for us, some unrepentant sour political losers vowed to make the state ungovernable for me. And they did not stop at mere threats: They walked their threats by unleashing unbridled violence in the state. It was like hail was let loose and insecurity became the order of the day. Our state which was once admired for its safety, serenity and sanity became a den of criminals.
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“Our state was a preferred destination for tourists became a dreaded city as visitors and even indigenes stayed away for fear of becoming victims of the senseless killings, arson and violence that spread across the state. Yes, our take-off was that bad.
“It was bad enough to daunt even the bravest. But we refused to give up. Instead, we summoned courage and confronted all the challenges head-on. I was convinced that this was what the Imo people who chose me over the other candidates expected me to do. Looking back to three years ago, I can beat my chest and say that to a very large extent, we have overcome.
“But I must add that we overcame not because we are the bravest or the wisest but because God is with us, and I know for certain that our faithful God does not abandon his people. I was inspired and strengthened by the verse from the Holy Bible in Joshua chapter 1:9 which says; Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened or dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
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