A former House of Assembly aspirant for Ideato North Constituency on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Franklin Ngoforo, has described former Imo State governor, Emeka Ihedioha as the surest bet for the party to reclaim the state Government House, Owerri.
Ngoforo asserted that the endorsement of Ihedioha’s governorship aspiration by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has made the former governor the face of the party in the state.
Ngoforo, who is also the President-General of Coalition of Imo Young Leaders, spoke on Tuesday in Owerri during an interview with journalists.
According to him, “Former Governor Ihedioha remains the Governor of Imo State in the records of the PDP. He was validly nominated as candidate of the party in Imo and he overwhelmingly won the election for the party.
“The truncation of his mandate is still a source of anger to democrats all over the world. It has also cast a dent on the integrity of the apex court in Nigeria.
“What everyone must know is that PDP in Imo was robbed through a judicial heist that took away our victory. We all were robbed. Those who are not supporting Ihedioha to catch the robbers and retrieve what they stole from us are complicit in that robbery. This is very correct and it is painful.
“What Ihedioha has in Imo PDP, so far as governorship primaries are concerned, is right of first refusal.
“He is our leader and must be seen as our sitting governor. Other intending aspirants should first consult with him. If he says he is not interested in contesting, that is when and only when they should declare to contest.
“That is what party protocol requires. But if Ihedioha says he is contesting, he must be accorded all the rights and privileges of a sitting governor.”
Ngoforo added, “It is important to note that Ihedioha’s position as the indisputable face of PDP in Imo has been confirmed by the national leader and Presidential Candidate of the party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar during the rally in Owerri on Saturday.
“It was also corroborated by the PDP faithful who shouted and chorused joyously that they wanted Ihedioha to return as governor.
“What is very vital in this, and I must establish it, is that the unbeatable scorecards which we as PDP will be brandishing before the electorate in Imo in order to get their votes are scorecards which Ihedioha recorded during his short stay in office.
“The civil service reforms, the local government autonomy, the prompt payment of pensions and salaries, the fiscal discipline, the revitalization of sports, the reinvention of agriculture and the provision of associated infrastructure which the government of Ihedioha delivered to Imo people are things the people now yearn for, hence their support for PDP.”
Ngoforo called on leaders and members of the party to continue to support Ihedioha and keep faith with the party, assuring them that the reign of the APC in the state has approached its end.
