8th May, 2013
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and eight other progressive counterparts including the Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha on Tuesday converged in Owerri for a rally to mark the second year in office of Owelle Okorocha, with Governor Fashola reiterating that the All Progressives Congress (APC) represents the choice for change for a better tomorrow.
Speaking at the Rally tagged Imo Freedom Day which took place at the Heroes’ Square, Owerri, Governor Fashola added that APC is the party that is representative of the move for Nigeria to take her place in the comity of nations as a real giant of Africa.
He said the party is irrevocably committed to giving power and choice to the people and said despite the fact that Nigeria is currently facing a period of enormous challenges, the solution lies within the people.
Governor Fashola who applauded the people of Imo State for the warm reception accorded to the Governors from across tribal, religious and ethnic lines said the train of change has finally arrived in the South East as earlier promised.
“Let me also congratulate you for this momentous day that you commemorate and the progress that I have seen as well as the support that your numbers and presence here represents for the government that you have chosen for yourself”, he said.
Speaking while also addressing the rally, the Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima said the Governors from the opposition parties are in the APC not for the sake of grabbing power but to redefine the meaning and concept of modern governance.
He added that the four parties have fused into one to rescue the nation from bad governance and poor leadership and for the people to enjoy the dividends of democracy.
Governor Shettima urged the people to rally round Governor Okorocha who is a performing Governor in the task of transforming Imo state which is now wearing a new look through the hardwork of the Governor.
The Governor of Nassarawa State, Alhaji Tanko Al Makura who also addressed the rally, appealed to the people of Imo State to reject the aspersions, insinuation and stigmas being cast on the APC saying it is not true.
He enjoined the people to continue to support the government of Owelle Rochas Okorocha who is a true son of Imo State and Nigeria and is embarking on reformation and not just transformation of the State.
He said part of the task before the residents of Imo State is that everyone must work hard to ensure that democracy works and give the APC the support of their votes so that Okorocha can continue to deliver the dividends of democracy.
In his address, the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi said the All Progressives Congress is an idea whose time has come and that no amount of tanks, intimidation put on the way of the Governors can stop the impending change.
Dr Fayemi said he knows the importance of freedom and struggle and that as he came into Owerri he can see changes everywhere which is a marked departure from what it was in the dark days of the Peoples Democratic Party.
“In those dark days I have not seen the kind of root and branch revolution that I am currently seeing in this state. Now we have embarked upon an irreversible journey to democracy and that is why we are determined to work with our people to ensure that Nigeria occupies its pride of place” Dr Fayemi added.
Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun while addressing the rally said the ruling party is threatened by the emergence of the APC and charged all supporters of the APC to be determined to ensure that the merger succeeds.
He said going by what is on ground in Imo State, Governor Okorocha cannot be described as a newspaper Governor as he has physically seen the new roads, the schools and other infrastructure being built to improve the lot of the people.
The Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola said Imo State is witnessing transformation under Governor Okorocha and charged all voters and supporters of the APC to ensure that a decision is made this year to take back Anambra State to the fold of the progressives.
“The APC must win in all the South East States and after that they will go South -South and also take the remaining State in the South West that is out of our control until we will win Nigeria”, Governor Aregbesola said.
Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole who also addressed the rally said he has taken a trip round the city and can see contractors working on various development projects in Imo State under the leadership of Owelle Okorocha.
He said all the Governors of the progressive parties are products of struggles rather than awarded victories adding that when the victims of misrule come together to demand change no force can stop them.
Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi while addressing the rally said Imo State has advanced and is being transformed by a man who is performing and whose achievements are not on the pages of newspapers but can be seen by everyone.
Those who attended include Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, Governor of Nassarawa State, Alhaji Tanko Al Makura and Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State.