By CHARLES IWUOHA

Zamfara State Governor and Chairman of Imo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship Campaign Council, Dauda Lawal, has disclosed that the November 11, 2023 election would determine the future of Imo State.

The Governor stated this on Monday during the inauguration of the Governorship Campaign Council of PDP for Imo State.

He said: “The election is crucial because it will determine the future of Imo State. We are aware of the challenge and we will surmount them. We pledge to deliver on the assignment before us.”

He said their assignment was beyond winning the election but ensuring the lives of the people arepositively impacted.

“Our aim is to bring genuine change to the lives of people we serve, not just to win the election.”

Lawal charged the campaign team to lead by example, adding that the campaign should reflect the ideals of PDP.

“Our credibility depends on our ability to be honest and transparent. We have considered various strategies to ensure success. Let us not lose sight of the bigger goal. Our campaign must focus on security, education, healthcare infrastructure and job creation, among others,” he added.

While expressing confidence that the team will deliver Imo State for PDP, the governor said: “Let’s all come together, put our strategies in place and secure victory for our candidate and our party. Together we will deliver Imo State in November 2023.”

He commended the dedication of council members for accepting to serve, stressing that their collective knowledge would contribute to success of the assignment.

On his part, the Imo State PDP Governorship Candidate, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, said the election was neither about himself nor the incumbent Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, but about the people of Imo State.

Anyanwu, who is also the National Secretary of the party, said the PDP won the election and it was taken away by the Supreme Court in 2020.

He however stressed that a victory for PDP in Imo State would be strategic to PDP’s return to dominance in the South East.

He stated that he chose the Zamfara Governor to serve as chairman of his campaign council “because you came out of a war zone and defeated an incumbent governor.”

“Two, You are very young and energetic, just as I am and together, as young people, we will bring back all the glory of Imo State.”

Anyanwu said he has been visiting places in the state that many consider very dangerous.

He said: “Election is not about money but the willingness of the people to change the tide. The people have suffered so much. I have the determination to bring back PDP to Imo State. If we don’t bring back PDP to Imo, there will be problems for the party. We must do all that is necessary to win Imo state. I won’t let the party down when elected.”

Noting that he was prepared for the task ahead, Anyanwu said about his opponents, that “there is nothing that they know that I don’t know, double.”

He added, “If they come with any campaign, we will follow them the way they come.”

The PDP chairman in Imo State, Charles Ugwu, who also spoke at the event, said the task might be tough but not insurmountable.

He said APC usurped the position of PDP in the state, adding that it was unfortunate that Imo fell into the hands of APC.