Uzodinma To Northerners: “Don’t Leave Imo, Those After You Are After Me Too”

Uzodinma To Northerners: “Don’t Leave Imo, Those After You
Are After Me Too”
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has assured the
northern community in the state of the government’s
determination to protect them and their property.
Also, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Hope
Uzodimma on Gender and Vulnerable Persons (Men) and
the Garkuwan Hausa (shield of Hausa community), Imo
State, Hon Sulaiman Ibrahim Sulaiman, described as untrue
reports that Hausas are leaving Imo.
He described Imo State as the safest place for them to live.
The Governor, who also debunked the rumour that the
northern community in Imo are leaving in droves, said that
they had no need to leave, adding that they are part and
parcel of Imo State.
“This is where you live. This is where you do your business.
You are stakeholders in Imo State.
“Nobody will drive you away,” Governor Uzodimma told the
leadership of the northern community who paid him a
courtesy visit in his office in Owerri.
The leadership of the northern community said they had
come to pay a solidarity visit to Governor Uzodimma and to
solicit his continued support to them in the face of recent
pockets of insecurity affecting them.
‘Equal treatment for all’
Governor Uzodimma, who told the northerners that they are
taxpayers in Imo State, admonished them not to be “tenants
in your house,” adding, “once you are here doing your
business you are from Imo State.”
The governor told them that “every protection or support I
can give to the Igbo man from Imo State, I will also give to
a northerner who is in Imo State.”
Uzodimma reminded them again that they voted for him
overwhelmingly and that government has a programme for
them that will help them live well and conduct their
businesses properly.
He told them that the government had taken note of the
development in their habitation and assured them that it will
not happen again.
“This government has no time for nonsense.
“Don’t go for self-help. The government will help you.
“No arrangement by any person or group will be stronger
than that of government.
“All we need from you is information. Pray for the souls of
those who lost their lives,” the Governor informed the
group.
‘Those after you are after me too’
The governor alleged that those behind the attacks know
that the northern community in Imo State is supporting him,
adding that it was the reason they were being targeted.
He quipped: “Those who are after you are after me and God
will not allow them to succeed.”
Uzodimma, therefore, promised to enhance the security in
all the places they reside in Imo State.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Alhaji Adamu Baba
Sule, told the Governor that they came to give both moral
support and pledge their solidarity.
He said regardless of the recent development, “Imo State
remains the most peaceful and most accommodating to the
northerners in the South East.”
He regretted that “bad political leaders in Imo State
conspired with others elsewhere to cause problems for the
people,” and pleaded with Governor Uzodimma to beef up
security at their places of abode.