Private sector groups under the aegis of Imo Business Technocrats (IBT) on Saturday beckoned on the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Multinet Group Limited, Dr Uzoma Obiyo, to consider contesting for the post of the Executive Governor of Imo State, stating that he is well positioned for the office which would be vacant in 2019.
IBT in a request to Obiyo in Owerri, Imo State capital, explained that their call on him to contest for the 2019 gubernatorial election was based on his accomplishments as a seasoned entrepreneur and manager of resources, adding that his business successes in Nigeria’s telecoms; energy; real estate and properties industries stood him out as the candidate for the post.
They posited that their network of business persons and technocrats would galvanise supports for Obiyo to contest the elections to salvage Imo from incidences of maladministration which has kept it back from progressive developments since Nigeria’s return to democratic governance in 1999.
“We know you and what you represent. We have worked with you in our network and many other endeavours where you’ve distinguished yourself and overtime shown your worth. Now, our dear state Imo, needs quality leaders like you to restore its lost glory.
“Come 2019, Imo will go to the polls again to elect a new governor to manage its affairs for another four years. It is a daunting task made more difficult by the number and calibre of people that have indicated interest for the job,” said IBT.
“We are particularly worried that you have remained silent in the affairs of Imo. We don’t consider this silence a golden one because Imo needs people like you to show interest in its development at governmental levels, that is why we have presented our position to you, which is to urge you to run for the forthcoming 2019 Imo Governorship Election. You are eminently qualified to run for this post, and should not shy away from this challenge,” the business group added.
IBT equally noted that it had begun further consultations with key stakeholders such as employee groups; labour unions; trade associations; and other relevant groups in Imo to galvanise support for Obiyo.
It added that considering that his Owerri senatorial zone was due for the post of governorship in the power rotation agreement, Obiyo, had no reason to stay back from contesting the post.
Responding to IBT’s request, Obiyo, who was recently honoured by Pan-African student union, the League of African Development Students (LEADS Africa) in Abuja for his corporate leadership, contributions to professional development of African students, as well as his marks in the development of Africa’s society, stated that he was pleased with the call on him to consider taking a shot at the governorship race.
He noted that Imo deserved the best to lead its re-emergence in Nigeria from an obscure south-eastern state to a leading light in ICT; Agri-business; Tourism; Standard Healthcare Tourism; as well as, Education.
The decision to contest, he stated would be reached after due consultation with relevant stakeholders in Imo.
