The above question on the title of this short essay has become a recurring decimal deployed by the very fragmented, depleted and remaining few members of the new wannabe opposition in the state.

They ask these questions whenever the news of the #PeoplesGovernor of Imo State, His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma appears in his numerous federal government state functions either in Aso Rock’s Abuja or elsewhere just to taunt the workaholic governor of Imo state.

These days, the defeated opposition members in the state do no longer criticise the God sent governor of Imo state on account of performance because they know that the governor has performed creditably well in various areas of governance concern hence their newly adopted methods of taunting the governor for always seen in national functions either in Abuja or elsewhere in the country and even outside the country.

They know that the governor is performing because they can no longer criticise him on account of not paying workers or pensioners as the workers and pensioners are not only paid promptly by the end of every month but also have one of the best welfare packages never seen before in the entire country, Nwaogwugwu stands to be proven wrong because the #SharedProsperity government of the #PeoplesGovernor Hope Uzodimma was the first governor for more than three years now who have consistently provided free transportation services for Imo workers. The Governor is also the first state governor to enroll the entire state civil servants into a health insurance scheme where the workers access free healthcare. He also hold the record of being the only and first governor in this current regime who has consistently for more than three years now paid the state workers what we now know as the 13th month salary. 13th month salary is a reward bonus for all the state workers which are paid to them as Christmas bonus where 100% of their salary are paid as a Christmas bonus. This 13th month salary has been consistently paid for three years now and running.

The confused and depleted opposition members know that they can no longer fault the governor on account of performance regarding to the construction of roads in the state because the governor has done wonders in this regard. Even the #PeoplesGovernor’s worst critic or political enemy knows that the governor has performed wonders when it comes to road construction, hence they can not criticise the governor using that because if they do, Imo people who are using Owerri-Orlu road, or Okigwe-Owerri road or Owerri-Mbaise-Umuahia road or Mc-Toronto-Umunahu-Road Safety road or Aba-Owerri road or more than 50 different internal roads will counter them.

The misguided opposition elements know that they can no longer hold the #PeoplesGovernor to account on youths empowerment because they know that the governor has performed and still performing creditably well. Should the fragmented opposition elements dare raise any issue on this: the over 30,000 Imo youths who have not only been trained with hands on practice digital skills but equipped with gadgets to enable them to establish themselves after the training will come out en mass to counter them.

Of course, they will not dare call out the #PeoplesGovernor for non-performance in quality healthcare provision in the state. Over 100,000 Imolites are beneficiaries of free healthcare insurance services, with over 1,200 childbirths recorded for free, without the mothers paying a shishi. These beneficiaries would counter any such claims. The villagers, where one primary healthcare center is established in each of the 305 electoral wards in the state, receive primary healthcare for free and would also counter such claims. When it comes to quality healthcare, the Governor has set a new high standard for healthcare development in Imo State.

Within a four-year span, the state has witnessed a remarkable upgrade in its healthcare infrastructure, with three brand new General Hospitals and a new Teaching Hospital added.

In the healthcare value chain, the administration’s deliberate revitalization program through investments in nursing and midwifery education, renovation of over 2,000 Primary Health Centers, and the graduation of medical students for the first time in over ten years, has contributed to a more robust and accessible healthcare system in Imo State.

The renewed cries about the governor staying in Abuja are born out of having nothing else to criticize him for.

But come to think of it, the FCT is the center of the federal government of Nigeria, and all the federating units, i.e., the state governments, by convention, have a duty to stay abreast of what is happening at the federal level. That is why every state government has a mini government house in Abuja, as it is expected to always be in the loop of federal dealings.

Aside from the conventional structure of the federating units having a lot to do at the federal government headquarters, the #PeoplesGovernor has many federal appointments under his leadership.

He is presently the Chairman of the ruling party’s Governor’s Forum, the Chairman of the South East Governor’s Forum, and holds other technical positions in the federal government that always require his commitment and attention. The majority of these meetings are in Abuja, and being in Abuja means saving a lot of resources for Imo people that would have otherwise been used in funding the Governor’s frequent movements in and out of the state.

As a practical businessman who came from the private sector, the Governor understands the art of making and saving for Imo. No true businessman worth the name will cite a manufacturing plant outside the source of raw materials.

The persistent claims by the opposition that Imo State is being governed from Abuja are unfounded and merely a tactic to undermine the achievements of Governor Hope Uzodimma. Despite their attempts to criticize his frequent presence at federal functions, the governor’s impressive track record in areas such as worker welfare, road construction, youth empowerment, and healthcare provision speaks for itself. The opposition’s inability to fault his performance in these critical sectors only highlights the governor’s dedication and effectiveness in transforming Imo State, whether from Douglas House or Abuja House.

Ambrose Nwaogwugwu,
Senior Special Assistant to Imo State Governor.
(Electronic and Creative Media).

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has declared Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress, APC, winner of Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo State.

Aiyedatiwa was declared winner after polling the highest number of votes in the election.

The incumbent governor battled Ajayi Agboola of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Olorunfemi Festus of the Labour Party, LP, and Abbas Mimiko of Zenith Labour Party, ZLP, among others, in Saturday’s poll.

Announcing the result in Akure, the state capital, INEC’s Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Lokoja, Prof. Akinwumi Olayemi Durotimi, said Aiyedatiwa polled a total of 366781 while Ajayi got 117845 while LP had 1162.

He said, ” Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa of the APC having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of lawful votes cast, is hereby returned elected.”

Aiyedatiwa who succeeded late Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on December 27, 2023, is from Ilaje Local Government Area in the southern senatorial district of the state.

By Ngouda Dione and Diadie Ba

DAKAR (Reuters) -Senegal headed to the polls on Sunday to vote in a legislative election that the president hopes will give his party the clear majority it needs to implement an ambitious agenda for reforms.

The heated campaign period has revived concerns about unrest as political rivals clashed, sometimes violently. The West African nation saw some of the worst political violence in recent history ahead of the presidential election in March.

Voters line up to cast their votes during the early legislative election, at a polling station in Parcelle, suburb of Dakar, Senegal, November 17, 2024. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra
© Thomson Reuters

Voting in his home town of Ndiaganiao, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye urged the electorate to remain calm no matter the outcome.

“I once again call on voters… to show serenity, commit to the peaceful route, and to accept the popular will that will be expressed through the ballot box.”

Polls opened at 8 a.m. (0800 GMT) and close at 6 p.m, with a timetable for results still to be announced. More than 7 million registered voters will have the chance to vote for candidates for the 165-seat assembly, choosing between 41 registered parties or other entities.

Voters prepare to cast their votet during the early legislative election, at a polling station in Parcelle, suburb of Dakar, Senegal, November 17, 2024. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra
© Thomson Reuters

At stake is Faye’s mandate to make good on promises to crack down on corruption and improve livelihoods that helped sweep him to power in April following a landslide election victory.

Top priorities for Senegalese voters are jobs and the economy, as inflation has squeezed livelihoods and the nation’s growing youth population struggles to find employment. Many are impatient for change.

Faye says his commitment to help has been stymied by the opposition-led assembly, which he dissolved in September to pave the way for Sunday’s vote.

People patiently waited at a polling station in a school in the Dakar suburb of Parcelle Unite, where several said they were voting for Faye’s party Pastef.

A man prepares to cast his vote during the early legislative election, at a polling station in Parcelle, suburb of Dakar, Senegal, November 17, 2024. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra
© Thomson Reuters

“I hope they will address the issues our population faces. I want these elections to go smoothly and for them (Pastef) to get to work. We have faith in their program,” said El Baye Toure in the leafy schoolyard.

A voter casts her ballot during the early legislative election, at a polling station in Parcelle, suburb of Dakar, Senegal, November 17, 2024. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra
© Thomson Reuters

Faye’s government is also grappling with slower-than-projected growth and a worsening budget deficit.

In September, a government audit revealed that Senegal’s debt and budget deficit were much wider than the previous administration had reported, causing the fiscal crisis to spiral. A $1.9 billion IMF programme agreed in June 2023 has been on hold since the discovery.

The main threat to the ambitions of Faye’s Pastef party is the unexpected alliance of two opposition parties, including the Republic party (APR) headed by the former Prime Minister Macky Sall.

The race also includes two smaller opposition coalitions. One, led by Dakar’s mayor Barthelemy Dias, has clashed with supporters of Pastef.