A group, Samdaddy Imo Mass Movement (SIMM) has urged the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu to throw his hat into the ring for the Imo State governorship position in 2023.
The group argued that that Senator Anyanwu remains the only option for the state.
Coordinator of the group, Chief Francis Ibeh made the call at the weekend while addressing newsmen shortly after a meeting with the Director General of Divine Mandate Movement (DMM), Hon Ngozi Ogbu in Owerri, the state capital.
Ibeh said that the insecurity and economic crisis including leadership imbalance in the state were factors that triggered their curiosity to look for one with the capacity to bring them out of the mess.
He maintained that should Senator Anyanwu reject the appeal to contest, they would mobilize over one million Imo citizens across the state to compel him to throw in the towel.
Ibeh promised that his group would embark on sensitization tours to woo all to buy into the project, pointing out that the campaign will be carried out once Senator Anyanwu assures them of his readiness to join in the race.
According to him, the call became necessary after their research on the most suitable and acceptable person across the three zones of the state to mount the saddle.
He added that responses showed that Senator Anyanwu remains the only sure bet for the state.
He said that some people who left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) due to the way they were treated are ready to rejoin the party on one condition that Senator Anyanwu must contest the 2023 governorship poll.
He said, “What Imo state needs now is a man with an open heart, who is charismatic and runs inclusive administration.
“One that is acceptable across the state, who is willing and capable of uniting our state after it was ravaged by insecurity and economic disaster.
“Such man, we have found in Senator Samuel Anyanwu. We are calling on him to join the 2023 Imo Governorship race.”
Responding, Director General of Divine Movement (DMM), Hon Ngozi Ogbu commended the group for taking the bold step, and promised to brief his principal, Senator Anyanwu.
He maintained that if the calibre of persons in the team could boldly call on Senator Anyanwu to rescue the state from administrative servitude, he wondered why the PDP National Secretary would not accept their plea.
Ogbu charged them to remain patience in their quest for good governance, pointing out that what PDP and the state need now is a credible person like Senator Anyanwu to heave a sigh of relief.
Ogbu, a former House of Assembly Member admonished them to join the campaign against PDP dominance in the state, adding that if the party has more than five governorship aspirants, some of its challenges will be easily solved.
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