Ndaa Paddy Obinna, an elder statesman and respected voice in Imo State, has urged Imo people to prioritize stability, equity, and continuity in governance as the state looks beyond Governor Hope Uzodimma’s tenure.
In his new year message from his country home in Emekuku, Owerri North Local Government Area, Obinna emphasized that Imo has gathered enough political experience to understand what works and what destabilizes the polity. “At this stage of our journey, Imo can no longer afford to gamble with leadership,” he said.
Obinna stressed that the state needs stability, continuity, and a leadership disposition that preserves existing gains while healing old wounds. He urged Imo people to pray for a peaceful new year and Governor Uzodimma’s successful completion of his second tenure, noting that the current administration has laid foundations that should not be disrupted.
The elder statesman recalled the turbulence that followed the 2011 governorship episode, describing it as a turning point that disrupted a previously stable governance trajectory. He warned against forgetting history and repeating mistakes, emphasizing that genuine equity and fairness must guide Imo politics.
Obinna described the ideal governor as someone with patience, emotional balance, listening ears, and a forgiving spirit. He referenced former Governor Ikedi Ohakim as a leader whose disposition aligns with Imo’s present needs, praising his calmness and restraint despite past injustices.
The elder statesman appealed to leaders and youths from Owerri zone to prioritize the long-term health of the state, urging all political actors to emulate the selflessness of leaders like the late Chief Sam Mbakwe and the stabilizing approaches of Ohakim and Governor Uzodimma.
“Imo belongs to all of us. Justice, fairness, and good conscience must guide our decisions. That is the only path to peace, progress, and lasting legacy,” Obinna said.
