• By Dr Bright Nwanna

▪️Photo: Chief Charles Orie. The incoming Action Governor of Imo State, Nigeria.

As Governor Hope Uzodimma winds down his administration and prepares to head to the Nigerian Senate, the search for his successor has begun in earnest.

In what the late Dr. K.O. Mbadiwe would have called “a political earthquake,” political stakeholders — elders, men, women and youths across Imo State — have only one name on their lips: Chief Charles Orie!

The Umuokanne, Ohaji-Egbema LGA born technocrat, who gave a stellar account of himself at the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC), is clearly emerging as the choice of Imo people to be their next governor.

A LEADER OF THE PEOPLE
Humble, hardworking, honest, and accessible, Orie, like Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore, believes in pragmatism. His love for Ndi Imo and passion to make life easy for them is unparalleled.

From the provision of affordable housing schemes and new ultra-modern markets, to the reticulation of pipe-borne water to drastically reduce the burden of sinking boreholes, Orie is poised to deliver policies that will alleviate the suffering of our people.

HIS ACTION PLAN FOR IMO
Chief Orie has unveiled a bold, people-centered agenda to hit the ground running from day one in office:

  1. HEALTHCARE: Upgrade all government hospitals and motivate doctors and health workers. Pregnant women will receive free ante-natal and maternity services.
  2. EDUCATION & WELFARE: Pay bursaries to all Imo students in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. Elders above 70 years will receive a monthly stipend as social security.
  3. INFRASTRUCTURE & JOBS: Introduce Light Rail and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), modeled after Lagos State, into Imo State. This innovation alone is projected to create over 65,000 jobs.
  4. ECONOMY: Revitalize all moribund government-owned industries and support privately-owned ones. This will create an additional 100,000 direct jobs for our youths.
  5. SECURITY: Ensure a tight security architecture so that Ndi Imo can sleep with their two eyes closed.

GRASSROOTS MANDATE
A renowned philanthropist, Chief Orie’s grassroots empowerment across the 27 LGAs of Imo State is well known. From town unions to youth groups and women leaders, the call is coming from the grassroots — that he should answer the clarion call to run for governor in 2027.

There is no doubt: he is the man of the moment that Ndi Imo need. Let us all rally round and support him to succeed, in our own best interest.

Ndewo nu.

▪️Dr Bright Nwanna contributed this piece from Owerri, the capital of Imo State, Nigeria.