Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma has appealed to the hoodlums still hiding in the bush to perpetuate insecurity in parts of the State to come out, lay down their arms and join the society in contributing positively to the good of all.

He also promised that government will be willing to assist them in any kind of business they choose to go into in order to be useful to themselves and the society.

The Governor spoke at the funeral of late Hon. (Mrs.) Jenny Rachael Okonkwo, a former APC woman leader for Orlu zone who was gruesomely murdered in 2022 by suspected hoodlums and her corpse dumped in the bush.

Addressing the audience at her country home in Ogberuru in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State on Thursday, the Governor bemoaned the condition under which the woman leader was assassinated, insisting that the Party and the State lost a gem in her.

Uzodimma prayed for the repose of her soul and the souls of the four other women assassinated alongside with her and proceeded to approve the sum of N10 million for each of the deceased families. He also promised that the Government will be willing to employ any of their children who is employable, or in the alternative train them if they are willing to learn a trade or skill.

The Governor reminded all that Mrs. Okonkwo was untimely and gruesomely assassinated, not because of any offence she committed, but because she was an APC member who did her job effectively as a woman leader and mobilizer.

?She was one of the best, one of the best organizers and mobilizers, not only in Orlu Local Government but in Imo State in general. A very committed Party woman, who worked, suffered, served the Party and the government, and because of her commitment, political opponents assassinated her.

?When Rachael was assassinated alongside four others, the senseless political violence and gruesome killings in the area was not known. Those who are behind the political killings in Orlu zone are still at work, but very soon the wrath of God will catch up with them.

?Strangers were used to kill and assassinate their brothers and sisters in Orlu. However, today, with the help of God Orlu people are beginning to see that those behind the killings in Orlu and other areas of the State do not mean well for the state.?

He called on all affected by the death of late Mes. Okonkwo (Iron Lady) to take heart and remain committed to the Party and the State.

?It is a thing of conscience. What one sows is what one will reap. If you shed blood God will judge you, if you are innocent God will judge you, if you are killing for political power God will judge you; at the end of the day you will answer to God.?

Senator Uzodimma condoled with members of APC in the zone and in the State in general, especially members of Camp Hope, and acknowledged that they all ?worked and suffered to bring back the peace we are witnessing in Imo State today.?

He noted that though the enemies did their worse, but they have not been able to stop the river from flowing.

He urged all members of APC to remain firm, committed and resilient, saying that as the leader of the Party in the State he ?knows those who are very sincere, committed and those who believe in the programmes and policies of the State and they will never regret their sojourn in the Party.

Earlier, Governor Uzodimma had paid a condolence visit to the family of late Mrs. Okonkwo where he met the widower and their son.

Introducing the Governor to the gathering, the member representing Orlu/Orsu/Oru East Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Canice-Moore Nwachukwu thanked the Governor for coming, describing it as a show of solidarity and support, not only to CampHope but the entire APC in Orlu zone and Imo State in general.

He said the coming together to bid farewell to late Mrs. Okonkwo was symbolic and a thing to appreciate the leadership quality of the Governor.

In his welcome remarks, the Executive Chairman of Orlu zone, Hon. Chris Mbarie thanked the Governor for coming to encourage and strengthen them in their continued support for the APC in the State, and said the CampHope is stronger everyday despite the challenges and acrimonies of the opponents against them.

He equally prayed for the repose of the soul of late Rachael and the other four persons who were assassinated alongside her.

The requiem mass was held at St. Patrick?s Catholic Church, Ogberuru.

On the Governor?s entourage were the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru and her husband, Chukwuma, former Governor of Imo State, Chief (Dr) Ikedi Ohakim, Chief of Staff to the Governor of Imo State, Barr. Sir Nnamdi Anyaehie, former Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly and current Managing Director of Anambra Imo River Basin Development Authority, Rt. Hon. Emeka Nduka, former Minister of Science and Technology, Chief Henry Ikoh, Co-chairman of Southern Nigeria Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, foremost Leader of APC in Imo State/business mogul, Chief Tony Chukwu, and former State Chairman of APC in Imo State, Chief Barr. Marcon Nlemigbo.

Others were Chief Dona Nwaogu, Amb. Prince Charles Mbachu, Honourable Commissioners, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, and other critical leaders of both the APC and CampHope Organisation Worldwide.

The Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Dr. Emeka Enyinnia, with other members of the Central Planning Committee was also on hand to receive the Governor.

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