The Ohanaeze Youth Council, an Igbo socio-political group, has lashed out at what it described as “desperate selfish politicians” in Imo State for criticising Governor Hope Uzodimma over the ongoing construction of federal roads connecting Imo to other states in the South-East region.
Speaking to journalists in Owerri on Thursday, the President of the Council, Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, condemned recent attacks against Uzodimma, stating that the critics had failed to act when they held sway in public office.
According to Igboayaka, “The recent media attack by some desperate selfish politicians and oppositions in Imo State regarding the construction of federal roads by the Hope Uzodimma administration is one of the most unwholesome political criticisms I have witnessed in Imo State.”
He added, “The Ohanaeze Youth Council, led by Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, expressed disapproval of some political profiteers in Imo who criticized the construction of long-abandoned federal roads in Imo State by the administration of His Excellency Sen. Hope Uzodimma.”
The group further pointed fingers at political leaders who, they said, mismanaged the state’s resources for over two decades. “Sadly, the political cliques who mismanaged state funds between 1999 and 2020 are now criticizing Governor Hope Uzodimma for his infrastructure development initiatives, including the construction of Umuahia federal, Okigwe federal, and Orlu roads connecting Imo and Anambra States,” the statement read.
Emphasising the need for objective and constructive criticism, the group cautioned against politically motivated attacks. “The administration led by Gov Hope Uzodimma requires constructive and objective criticism to enhance its performance. Criticism driven by political bias and envy from desperate politicians who misappropriated Imo State’s resources since 1999 is unacceptable to Igbo youth and progressive-minded individuals.”
Highlighting the economic benefits of these road projects, the OYC said: “The dualization and repair of Orlu Road, Umuahia Road, and Okigwe Road offer substantial economic advantages to Ndi-Imo and the broader Ndigbo community.”
They also noted that the Okigwe Road has become the most convenient route for commuters travelling within the Southeast from Onitsha, Port Harcourt, and Owerri to Enugu, especially over the past three years.
The group urged Governor Uzodimma to expand the road projects to include more intra-LGA routes. “Governor Hope Uzodimma should broaden his scope of repairing and constructing federal roads to encompass other intra-LGA roads within the state, including the road from Ntueke to Isiekenesi and further to Okwelle, the road from Ahiara Junction to Ehime Mbano Aba-Branch, the road from Orlu to Ihiala and Uli, the road from Anara junction Isiala Mbano to Ehime Mbano, Oriagu to Obowo Seven And Half Junction, the road from Umuna Orlu to Nkwerre and further to Amaraku, and the road from Akokwa to Arondizuogu and further to Okigwe,” they advised.
