The Action Alliance (AA) candidate in the November 11, 2023 governorship elections, Major General LKJ Ogunewe (rtd) is set to launch a very fierce campaign for Douglas House, the seat of the Imo state government in Owerri, the state capital. This information was obtained by our correspondent in an exclusive interview yesterday with Ogunewe which was the date the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared campaigns open for the 2023 governorship campaigns in Bayelsa State, Kogi State and Imo state off season elections.
In what appeared to be a veiled reference to a certain political party in the state, Ogunewe said, ”It is my utmost desire that all the candidates in this election would engage in issue-based campaign. Ndi Imo have suffered so much for several years due to poor leadership and lack of development of human capital and infrastructure.”
According to him, ”Therefore l expect that all the candidates should be addressing concrete issues facing our people.”
On his chances of dislodging the incumbent governor, Hope Uzodimma from the Government House, Ogunewe roared, ”Make no mistakes about it. I am running to win. I have the strong backing of our people. Just wait and see.”
Asked about the possibility of intimidation of voters by any of his opponents, Ogunewe thundered, ”Let me warn here and now that l would not tolerate any act of intimidation against my supporters or any voter for that matter during the campaigns or on the date of elections. I believe that the security agencies would discharge their duties professionally. Nonetheless l would set up a mechanism to prevent or respond swiftly to any acts of intimidation or violence against my supporters or any voter in Imo state.”
Further he said, ”For the avoidance of doubt, I would defend each and every vote cast for me in the forthcoming election. I assure all my teeming supporters that l have the capacity to do so.”
He concluded by saying that, ”Very shortly l’ll be addressing a Press Conference and thereafter kick-start my campaigns in full force.’