As the 2023 governorship election in Imo state draws nearer, a pressure group known as The Fall and The Rise of Imo has rejected the top three gubernatorial candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Hope Uzodinma, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Samdaddy Anyanwu and Labour Party’s Athanasius Achonu, claiming that they are of the old political stock.
The Convener of the group, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka and National Secretary Comrade Nkem Nze while addressing newsmen in Owerri on 18th April 2023 decried the choices of the political parties, following their emergence at their party primaries, saying that “the recycled politicians are part of the rot in Imo state.”
The group noted that Imo residents are in search of a political vehicle that will convey a new political breed to birth the rise of a new Imo.
The group noted that Labour Party primary results don't meet the wish and expectations of the Obedient family and Ndi Imo and wondered why Labour Party manipulated its primary election and presented Sen. Athan Achonu who have shared in the rot of Imo and Nigeria at large.
The statement reads in full: “In 2015, the present three Guber candidates of Labour Party(LP) — Sen. Athan Achonu, Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Sen. Samdaddy Anyanwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Sen. Hope Uzodinma were respective Senators for Okigwe, Owerri and Orlu zones. These three old politicians are part of the rot in Imo state and Nigeria at large.
“Unfortunately, one of them, Sen. Hope Uzodinma became Governor in 2020 and three of them today are contesting to be the next governor of Imo State.
“Ndi Imo, can this adage be used to refer to us: that "amid blind people, a one-eyed man becomes the King?" Are we this miserable? Are we not better equipped with citizens of better qualities, capacities and capabilities than Athan Achonu, Hope Uzodinma and Samdaddy Anyanwu?
“Do we have to keep recycling these mediocre who have been tested and confirmed as colossal failures in all ramifications of representation?
“Ndi Imo, the land of Scholars to be perpetually led by dunces and numbskulls? The land of Professors and PhD holders is to be consecutively led by dullards, Ignoramus, nincompoops, clodpoles, halfwits, jackasses, blockheads, lack-wits, dunderheads and donkeys.
“We are into our political slavery created by our silence. That was why one man during the House of Assembly election woke up and manufactured the results 27/27.
“Again, it has come to our notice that Labour Party have chosen the wrong path by presenting the same old corrupt politician, the PDP has toed the same corrupt line, while the APC want us to remain in Egypt as they have chosen the leader of the Fall of Imo to be their Guber Candidate. Ndi Imo and Ndigbo at large are searching for a political vehicle that will have a new political breed as its candidate to actualize the Rise of Imo.
“The candidature of Athan Achonu of the Labour Party, Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress, and Samdaddy Anyanwu of the Peoples Democratic Party depict the Igbo adage and philosophy which says "ONYE RERE NKITA (Dog) ZUO Enwe(Monkey), IHE NTUKWU NOKWA N'ULO YA.
“In the November 11, 2023 governorship election, Ndi Imo and Ndigbo in general can’t sell their dog to buy a monkey. Both the monkey and dog won’t occupy Douglas House anymore.
“Imo has fallen with the highest level of insecurity, killings and unemployment. Today, what we are seeing is the executive rascality of Hope Uzodinma led by Chinasa Nwaneri, legislative impunity, mediocrity and gangsterism led by Emeka Nduka, Kennedy Ibe and Chyna Amarachi Iwuanyanwu.
“The FALL of Imo requires the RISE of every selfless Imolite.
“This new group is strictly for young minds that have conquered FEAR, SENTIMENT and GREED, and who are desirous of a better Imo and future for us and our offspring.
Join Us For The Rise of Imo and dissociate yourself from the Fall of Imo.”
