…As Prominent Imolites Applaud Unprecedented Progress in Imo State
What was billed as a town hall meeting by one Dr. Chima Matthew Amadi, a self-styled opposition figure and declared governorship aspirant for 2027, turned into a resounding endorsement of Governor Hope Uzodimma’s administration, as participants used the platform to dismiss Amadi’s controversial claims and applaud the visible transformation Imo State has undergone in recent years.
Held under the theme “Human and Capital Development in Imo State”, the town hall meeting quickly descended into embarrassment for Dr. Amadi, who made several factually incorrect and intellectually shallow assertions that left many in the audience dismayed and outraged.
Among the most scandalous of his claims was that Imo State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) had grown by only 8.8 percent since Governor Uzodimma assumed office. This figure sharply contradicts publicly available fiscal data, which show that Imo’s IGR has risen from below N400 million monthly in 2020 to nearly N4 billion per month in 2025 — a remarkable and unprecedented leap that reflects robust economic reforms and a effective revenue generation strategies.
Chief Sylvester Ogbuehi, a retired federal permanent secretary, remarked at the town hall that, “It is troubling that someone who wants to lead this state would speak with such detachment from facts. My people, truth be told, I am not a politician, but we all know that Governor Uzodimma has quadrupled our road infrastructure, restored security, and multiplied our revenue base tenfold. How do you ignore that?”
Equally jarring was Amadi’s assertion that public schools in Imo have collapsed. This statement was met with disbelief by education stakeholders present, who pointed to the consistent academic excellence of Imo students trained in public institutions — many of whom have emerged as national champions in WAEC, JETS, Cowbell Mathematics Competitions, and other academic contests. Barr. Angela Emecheta, a respected legal practitioner and educationist, countered sharply: “Shutting down private schools? That has never been done anywhere else on earth if not under the Fascist Italy and the oppressive Soviet regimes. Private schools have helped raise the standard of education in Imo and attract investments from our diaspora. The governor knows this and has protected that space, even while equipping public schools with pedagogical tools, infrastructure and well-motivated staff,” she noted.
But perhaps the most provocative of his proposals was his call to shut down private schools in Imo State. Observers were stunned that a supposed governorship hopeful was oblivious to the Nigeria Capital Importation Reports from the past four years, which show that educational investments — especially in private education — constitute nearly 40 percent of diaspora remittances into Imo State. These remittances are critical to the economic health of the state, creating jobs and stimulating small businesses across all sectors of the economy. Dr. Kenneth Oguzie, an economist and university lecturer, added his voice: “Imo’s economic indicators have never looked better. From IGR growth to capital inflow and SME development, Uzodimma has written a new chapter. Anyone who cannot see this should not even be talking about governance.”
In a further descent into disinformation, Dr. Amadi alleged that criminals from Anambra State were “pouring into” Imo, a statement widely condemned as both inflammatory and false. Attendees from Orlu, Orsu, Ideato, and Okigwe took great offense, noting that their communities, once troubled by politically contrived insecurity, have in recent times been enjoying a full return to peace, thanks to the efforts of Governor Uzodimma’s administration and the security agencies. Mrs. Ifeoma Duru, a leading women leader from Orlu, stated passionately: “We were once afraid to go out, but today we sleep with our two eyes closed. Uzodimma gave us back our peace. For Chima Amadi to say Imo is unsafe is not only false — it is wicked.”
In the end, the audience revolted — not against the government, but against Chima Amadi himself. Comrade Nnamdi Obioha, a youth leader from Mbaitoli, summarized the sentiments in the hall: “What Chima Amadi did today is self-sabotage. He made a case against himself. And we’re telling him now — if your campaign is built on lies, you have no future in Imo politics.” The reputable youth mobilizer further called on opposition elements in the state to close ranks and support the vision of the Governor Uzodimma, so that the dividends of good governance already in place would be consolidated.
By the end of the event, applause rang not for the host but for the governor. The crowd, once curious about Amadi’s vision, turned against him, with many openly suggesting that he abandon his ambition and instead lend his voice in support of the ongoing transformation.
Post Views: 86
