The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State demands that the State Governor Hope Uzodimma tenders a public apology to the citizens of the State, especially the teeming youths over his empty promise to secure jobs abroad for four thousand (4000) of them which has proven to be a monumental mockery of their hopelessness under his administration in the State.
When the Governor declared in September 2023 that he had negotiated with what he called “European Union Companies and Canadian Companies” to employ 4000 Imo youths by December 2023, right away, we doubted his ability to get that over the line. We knew it was an empty campaign promise because his resume does not show that he possesses the willpower and integrity to execute such a project. Sixteen (16) months later, it is clear to even the blind that the Governor was only playing games.
It is paradoxical for a Governor who, for four (4) years and counting, did not build or refurbish any industry, nor has his administration run any tangible program or policy to create job opportunities for youths to now secure lucrative jobs for them abroad. The only reason he could come close to achieving that is if it would also be a conduit for his administration to embezzle billions of the State’s resources. The fact that the Imo State Governor sees governance from the prism of fraud has strengthened the insinuation among the people that his leadership is a curse to the land.
It was appalling that after 44 months of ruin and waste, he gathered a group of youths one morning and told them that he intended to send 4000 of them to work abroad after passing up every opportunity to reverse the misery, hardship, and lack that his administration created in the State.
Perhaps, apart from the intention to achieve some petty political gains, Uzodimma was not aware that he was encouraging brain drain (which is already at an alarming rate) and exposing his administration’s failure, given that the empty offer was not even to send these youths abroad to acquire relevant skills and have them come back to use the skills to work for the development of the State. Other than that, a more responsible Governor would have been ashamed that he did not develop the State to provide opportunities for the youths to be gainfully employed therein. But publicly celebrating his failure shows the disaster Governor Imo has in Uzodimma.
He sees governance and leadership as a game. That is why he can play on the intelligence and sensibilities of the youths when he should be harnessing their talents, energy, and industry to make the State productive and invigorate the economy.
Sadly, the only gifts the youths of the State have received from the present administration are unemployment, insecurity, police harassment and brutality, extra-judicial killings, and economic starvation.
It is December again, and we believe it is only appropriate to remind Uzodimma and his acolytes that it is time enough for him to apologize to ndi Imo and, indeed, all Imo youths for brazenly mocking and insulting them.
Signed:
Lancelot Obiaku
State Publicity Secretary
PDP, Imo State
