Gov Uzodimma and Hon Mbadiwe Elumba



By Tony Icheku in Owerri


On his inauguration day, January 25, 2024, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma dashed the  expectations of  loyalists and supporters when he summarily dismissed his  entire Cabinet.  Not even a kitchen cabinet comprising strategic ministries and department was  constituted thereafter. Only the Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser, Oguwike Nwachuku was spared.  But over two months into his administration, the Imo chief executive has assembled member of his Cabinet, they have been screened and cleared by the Imo State House of Assembly and would be sworn in any time soon.


Gov Uzodimma 's desire for a clean sweep must have been necessitated by tales of abuses of office which crept into his administration towards its During the two months interlude of no Exco,  Emelumba was subjected to nasty demarketing by some section of the vibrant community press, and his return to government is an evidence that he is adding value to the Uzodimma administration. end when he devoted ample time to his second electioneering campaign.


The shocking sudden dismissal, arrest and detention of former Commissioner for Lands, Mr Noble Atulegwu over allegations of land racketeering immediately after the governorship election was an indication that his cabinet needed a surgical operation to weed out those who had become an embarrassment to his government.


Such  mistaken assumption that the governor may not reappoint former Exco members led to an unbridled  and intense lobbying. Desperados even went as far as attempting to demarket other Commissioners-hopeful like Hon Mbadiwe Emelumba former Commissioner for Information and Strategy.


Besides his towering academic achievements topped with an MSc in History and International Relations, Emelumba took to politics like fish to water after his journalism career.


Ironically, Emelumba's first Constituency, the Press, specifically, some section of the vibrant community press, led the attack. Some were linked to political vendetta, while others were by unprofessional newsmen who threw ethics of the profession overboard. Emelumba's nomination and confirmation as a Commissioner-nominee says a lot about  the  value and his contribution to the Uzodimma administration.


A  former member of the Imo State House of Assembly, Emelumba's relationship with Gov Uzodimma dates back before his entry into politics. And  he has functioned as Uzodinma’s media pointsman for decades now, thus he enjoys the confidence and rapport with the governor


Emelumba's  resilience and determination shone through beginning Uzodimma's first tenure when the Supreme Court returned him as the validly elected governor. Uzodimma stepped into a hostile political environment being that the sacked Hon Emeka Ihedioha's PDP administration was already settling down to business. Thus  it was  fire for fire, as the very vibrant PDP Media Team began hurling salvo at the incoming Uzodimma administration. 


The  media attack dogs coined the epithet 'Supreme Court's Governor to taunt Uzodimma, besides other propaganda gimmicks 


It was Emelumba who weathered the negative media bombardment. And to counter the vibrant community newspapers in the State, Emelumba  also repackaged the moribund government-owned Statesman newspaper which now appears daily 


His return to the Imo Exco is a testimony of his hardwork and value to the  Uzodimma administration 


Other returning Commissioners whose comeback  could be interpreted as a vote of confidence  include Dr Chimezie Amadi, former Commissioner for Digital Economy and e-Governance


Dr  Amadi from Nwangele LG, coming from a digital technology background and as Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Governance had a vision of  using digital technology to enhance governance, innovation, entrepreneurship, and to train 100,000 youths, women, and people with disabilities in core 21st-century skills such as software development, blockchain, game development, and technical vocational skills. The goal is to enhance digital literacy and empower individuals for future opportunities


Besides envisioning using technology to streamline administrative processes and make governance more efficient and attractive, he  initiated the Skill-up Imo project in December 2022, to offer  digital skills training in three stages - Beginners, Intermediate, and Advanced. This initiative equips individuals with essential digital skills like web design, digital marketing, and mobile app development to thrive in the modern economy. He is obviously returning to complete the programmes he initiated if he returned to the same ministry


Hon Ralph Nwosu from Oru West LG is another returnee Commissioner, and it would be his third term in government, having previously served as the Commissioner for Works under former governor Ikedi Ohakim.


Nwosu is described as a goals-driven workaholic and supervised the construction of the Owerri - Okigwe expressway which was road users nightmare before the coming of Uzodimma. Another road in deplorable condition that was equally quickly completed was the Owerri - Mbaise Expressway. If he returns to the Ministry of Works, it would be to pay attention to the deplorable condition of roads in the State 


Others returnees are Chief Cosmas Maduba, former Commissioner of Agriculture from Isu LG; And Hon Emenike Ejikeme  Major, former Commissioner of Environment from Onuimo LG, but  not much could be accessed of theirv stay in office.

Hon (Mrs) Nkechi Ugwu, from Ideato North LG was former Commissioner of  Gender and Vulnerable Group. A social media enthusiast, Mrs Ugwu showed proactive leadership in her ministry and equally worked closely with the First Lady of the State to further the interests of Women and the vulnerable groups.

Two former lawmakers are also among the nominees including Hon Modestus Osakwe who represented Isu State Constituency in the IMHA. Another former lawmaker and anew face in the Uzodimma camp who earned his nomination as a result of capacity is Hon Bede Ekeh, two-terms House of Representatives member from Ngor-Okpalla. 


Ekeh, easy going and focused, defected from the PDP to join the Uzodimma camp and emerged as the Director-General of the Hope Governorship Campaign Council in Aboh-Mbaise.

Dr Chika Abazu, from Idea to South LG is a Public Health Physician of over 22 years experience and has risen to position of a Director at the Federal Civil Service and has served at various levels with merit and distinction. 

He was the APC candidate for Ideato North and South Federal Constituency

The  other nominees are Obinna Onwuegbu,  Ihitte Uboma LG;  Anyanwu  Ezechinyere, Ahiazu Mbaise LG and Obinna Onyeocha-Evaristus , Njaba LG

From the Governor's body language, his interest would be in completing legacy projects, finishing strong and bequeathing achievements that would enhance his future political ambition, thus his appointments would not have the “Father Christmas” imprimatur like it did in his first term when he created over five hundred appointments that dug deep hole into Imo finances

Definitely, desperate lobbyists, sychophants and political friends would find no place in the Cabinet as the elections are over and the governor would be more interested in technocrats and political alliances that would enhance the delivery of his campaign promises

Expectations for superlative performance is expected from Uzodimma. He  is not only the Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum, he is also the face of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the South-East geo-political zone with his recent appointment as the Coordinator of the SE APC.  It is only through good governance and delivery of democracy dividends he can market the APC in the SE