The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma has expressed his readiness to collaborate with members of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in advancing the tenets of democracy in Nigeria.

Uzodimma gave the hint on Wednesday when he received a combined National and State Executive members of the IPAC who paid a courtesy call on him at Government House Owerri.

The team led by their National Deputy Chairman, Barr. Maxwell Ngbudem had come to inform the Governor of the peaceful conduct of IPAC election in Imo State and the need for the template they used for the exercise to be adopted for the survival of democracy in Nigeria.

Governor Uzodimma commended them for the peaceful outing in the election of their new State Executive, noting that “it was a testimony that democracy is working in Imo State.”

He used the opportunity to reiterate his stand and commitment to support IPAC in their activities in Imo State that are in line with democratic norm, insisting that their “role is a catalyst to quicken democratic processes in our society.”

Said Governor Uzodimma: “The peaceful outing of IPAC is indeed another testimony that democracy is really working in our state, because the synergy required to oil the wheel of democratic growth is in the activities and opinion that will come, not only from the political class but from parties that are not in power. Coming together to be a watchdog to both the political system and also the International Community is commendable.”

He described IPAC as a political organ that is needed to be taken seriously for political programmes and for democracy to thrive in Nigeria.

The Governor thanked the National officers of IPAC for finding time to come to Imo State to supervise and monitor what their colleagues were doing and also commended IPAC in Imo State for “demonstrating the level of organization of building consensus and agreeing to ensure that the common interest of their group is more important than Individual interest.”

Governor Uzodimma therefore added: “Feel free, it is partnership. There is no election now, what we are doing now is governance and APC cannot do it alone. We need other Political Parties to partner with APC to be able to deliver dividends of democracy to the citizens of Imo State. Everything in life is turn-by-turn. Today it is APC, who knows which political party’s turn it will be tomorrow?”

He assured IPAC that his government will always work together with them to be their brother’s keeper.

Earlier why the group was in Government House Barr. Ngbudem also said they came to appreciate and thank the Governor for providing a conducive environment for them to do their job of conducting the Imo State IPAC election.

Besides, he said it was an opportunity for IPAC to appreciate the Governor on the good job he is doing in Imo State, to further inform him that the election was successful and at the same time, present the new elected Executive members to him, so that “he will work with them and help them by giving them the necessary assistance they need to perform their duties.”

The newly elected Chairman IPAC in Imo State, Ichie Levi Eke, expressed happiness on the outcome of the election and most importantly, the opportunity of bringing Imo State IPAC face-to-face with the Government of Senator Uzodimma which he described as “an opportunity to partner with the State to make sure that the State moves forward especially in the area of security.”

He promised, on behalf of his group, to partner with the State in organizing a security summit that will bring all shades of people in Imo together to ensure that peace is needed for progress and development.

Among the new Principal Officers of Imo IPAC are the State Chairman - Ichie Levi Eke, State Secretary – Hon. Edoziem Clinton C., the Deputy Chairman – Hon. Ferdinand Uzoigwe, an Ex-offio member – Barr. Marcon Nlemigbo and others.

The Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prof Placid Njoku and other key government officials witnessed the occasion.

•PHOTO: Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State (5th left); his Deputy, Prof Placid Njoku (4th left); Deputy National Chairman of IPAC, Barr. Maxwell Ngbudem (6th left); Imo State Chairman of IPAC, Ichie Levi Ekeh (7th left), among other IPAC national and state executives, when the group paid a courtesy call on Governor Uzodimma at Government House Owerri . . . Wednesday

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