By SALISU SANI-IDRIS

President Bola Tinubu, said on Wednesday that the South East geopolitical zone remained crucial to the growth and development of Nigeria.

Mr Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, in a statement, said Tinubu stated this in Owerri, Imo.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tinubu spoke at the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign in Imo.

NAN also reports that the governorship election in Imo is slated to hold on Nov. 11, 2023, alongside other off-season polls in Bayelsa and Kogi states.

Represented by the Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu said all hands must be on deck for the development of the country.

The President hailed the infrastructural developments embarked upon by the state governor, Sen. Hope Uzodimma.

Tinubu, who called on the people of Imo to rally round Uzodimma’s second term bid, noted that his continuity in office was the best option for the people of the state.

“Gov. Hope Uzodimma has done exceedingly well in terms of infrastructural developments and in terms of value addition to the State of Imo.

“From the past N3 billion to N16 billion, he increased the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to over N30 billion per annum. He has built some state-of-the-art roads here in Imo State as well as several developmental strides.

“The good people of Imo, I have seen your faces. I have seen the faces of hope, I have seen the faces of resilience and determination. We cannot afford to be complacent on Nov. 11.

Tinubu urged the people of the state to go out and re-elect the governor for another term of four years for him to complete his noble objectives for the people of the state.

“I want to assure you that the President is solidly, 1,000 per cent, behind Gov Uzodimma. He holds him in the highest esteem.”

Tinubu emphasised that for the purpose of consolidation and continuity, it was important for the people of Imo to rally around Uzodimma and get him re-elected for a second term.

Earlier on arrival, the vice president was received by the Imo State Governor, and was hosted to a reception by the state traditional rulers led by His Royal Majesty Eze Okeke.

The royal fathers pledged support for the governor and the Tinubu administration.

Speaking at the rally, Uzodimma said the APC remained the party to beat, adding that he has surpassed the people’s expectations of him.

He promised to do more than he had done in his first term in office, stressing that transparency, equity and fairness will be utmost in his administration.

Also, the APC National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, called on the people of the state to remain with the party at the centre as the pedigree of the Imo governor had continued to be distinct.

Other dignitaries who graced the event included the Governors of Kwara, Benue, Ogun, Yobe, Cross River, Jigawa, Ebonyi, Sokoto and Ekiti states, among others.

Also in attendance were APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Alhaji Ali Bukar-Dalori; Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Emma Eneukwu; Senators Adams Oshiomhole, Osita Izunaso and Owelle Rochas Okorocha. (NAN)

Update news