Heavy knocks for Hope Uzodimma over 4000 job campaign promise.
3 min read
The embattled Imo governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma went viral last week following one of his campaign “promises”. Uzodimma who is vying for re-election for the office of the governor of the state come November 11, 2023 governorship election in the state was addressing party supporters and other Imolites especially youths when he promised them that he has opened discussions with the European Union and Canadian government to employ 4000 Imo youths across Europe and Canada by December. According to the APC governor, he would pay for the flight tickets of those who would be going for the jobs when the employment letters arrive.
In his own words Uzodimma put it thus during the campaign: ‘’I have gone further to negotiate with the European Union government and Canadian government. They are sending us special areas of skill which our youths will also learn and by December this year, 4000 Imo youths will be employed in Europe. Once the employment letter drops, the governor will pay for your air ticket.”
After the governor had dropped the “bombshell”, the crowd of youths at the campaign ground followed it with a thunderous ovation as they fantastically enjoyed what their governor said.
The video clip of the campaign promise went viral both in and outside Nigeria almost immediately it was made. Many people both Imolites, bloggers, comedians and mainstream media outfits descended on the governor with sharp criticisms. From what Umuaka Times gathered, it was Peter Okoye, a top rated Nigerian musician who first reacted. The musician wondered why a governor who is supposed to create jobs is the one sending people out of his state to be employed in other jobs where leaders like him created.
On Arise TV, the controversial TV presenter Rufai Useni asked the governor to show the list of the companies that the youths will be employed at by December in Europe and Canada.
Still on Arise TV during an exclusive interview with the director of media activities of Labour Party, Yunusa Tanko described the promise of the governor as deceitful and insulting to Imolites. He further stated thus.
“Imolites are people who want to build their state. They don’t look for handout and become a refugee in another man’s land.”
A top Igbo comedian who dramatized the Uzodimma promise described the governor as trying to reintroduce slave trade in Imo State.
Meanwhile several newspapers across the country reported the promise Uzodimma made to Imolites and wondered if that was a priority for the state.
Umuaka Times last week came across a newspaper report which claimed that in its inquiries to the European Union, it was confirmed that the EU body was not aware of any talks going on between the Imo Governor and the body. According Gistmania online newspaper, ““Reportera reached out to the European Union to verify this claim. First we called the European External Action Service (EEAS) line +32 2 *** 11 11 where we spoke with a representative who revealed that such an arrangement was in fact not feasible because the EU as a body does not negotiate employment arrangements but only monitors the workings of companies within EU countries.”
For now the state government is yet to issue any statement to balance the promise.
