Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma’s bid for second term in office has been endorsed by the Imo State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
The election will be conducted on November 11, 2023 while the winner will be sworn in on January 15, 2024.
The CAN leaders said they endorsed the governor’s re-election bid because of his “superlative” performance in office.
They spoke at the Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu Square, New Owerri, at an interdenominational service for peace and unity organised by CAN with the theme: “Peace and Unity – Bedrock for Sustainable Development.” The lesson was drawn from the Book of Psalm 133:1-3.
The occasion was also a consummation of one of the decisions recently taken by the Imo State Council of Elders with regard to Imo Charter of Equity, and the need for the people to seek the face of God on its implementation.
The Christian community had used the opportunity of the gathering to adopt and dedicate the Imo Charter of Equity document to God while also praying for peace, stability and security in Imo State, particularly as the November governorship election draws closer.
The event, a version of the annual Imo Prays that CAN has been organising in Imo State in the past three years attracted the who is who in the Christian community in the country.
The primate of the All Nigeria Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba was the spiritual father of the day. He was represented by the Anglican Archbishop of the Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Dr. David Onuoha while the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, as one of the guest speakers, was also represented.
Emeritus prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Dr. Samuel Uche, His Lordship, Bishop Dennis Jacobs of the Christian Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Snr. Apostle Bethel Onumajuru, of the OAIC, Rev Eches Divine Eches, the CAN chairman of Imo State, among others were all present.
While praying for Governor Uzodimma and his family after the Imo Charter of Equity was formally presented to him by the chairman, Imo State Council of Elders, HRH Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, Archbishop Uche described the governor’s performance as “superlative” and that he needs to be re-elected to continue with the good works he is doing in Imo State.
Governor Uzodimma in his remarks acknowledged that there is obvious similarity between Government and the Church which he said is “encapsulated in the service of the people.”
He thanked God for making the day possible “and for the wisdom of the Christian Association of Nigeria Imo Chapter, for initiating Imo Prays,” noting that “Imo State is a Christian State and the people believe that prayer is the key to many things.”
Also, the governor thanked the elders’ council for their advisory role on the need for peace, justice and equity in Imo State and expressed happiness over the formal presentation of Imo Charter of Equity in an Inter-denominational programme.
