Imo Advisory Council of Elders on Friday endorsed Chief Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) as their candidate for the March 9 governorship election.
They said that equity demanded that Imo East produce the next governor of Imo.
The endorsement is contained in a six point communique issued by the council and made available to newsmen in Owerri.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the communique was signed by 23 advisory council members made up of elders from Owerri, Okigwe and Orlu zones.
The communique said the elders are desirous and determined to work in synergy for the peace, stability, development and good governance in Imo.
It said time had come in the management of the affairs of Imo, where the wisdom of old-age should blend with the strength and vitality of the youth to check the drift in societal values and governance.
The elders noted that the absence of the above values, had created “political rascality and irresponsible government, lack of respect for the rule of law and the traditional institution.’’
They stated that for the benefits of good governance, justice, equity and good conscience, “the council is of the strong opinion that the issue of rotation of elective political offices (particularly the office of the governor of Imo) be strictly adhered to.”
According to the communiqué, the council has consulted, interviewed and evaluated candidates from registered political parties, their respective manifestos and resolved that the manifesto presented by Chief Emeka Ihedioha, is the best and satisfies the aspirations of the people of Imo.
It said they have therefore, resolved to endorse Ihedioha of the PDP as the candidate of the choice of Imo to be voted for at the governorship election on March 9.
It urged Imo people and stakeholders to come out en masse and vote Ihedioha.
“Finally, we the members of this council drawn from the three geo-political zones of the state, individually and collectively append our signatures as evidence of our agreement to the resolutions of this communiqué which endorsed Ihedioha as the governorship candidate to be voted into office come March 9, 2019”.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Elders Council, Prof. Francis Dike, said that everyone in the state was worried about “the pitiable developments in the state and are determined to reset Imo politics for the good of the people of the state.”
The council also resolved in the meeting to send delegations of elders to the state Police Command, Military Commander, Department of State Services and other law enforcement agencies to hands off from aiding anyone with the intention to intimidate the electorate or manipulate the electoral system in favour of any candidate. (NAN)