Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, has justified his regular trips to Abuja, emphasizing that they are in the best interest of the state.
The governor made the remarks during a thanksgiving service marking the first anniversary of his second term in office at Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri.
His comments were in response to advice from the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, Most Revd Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, who urged him to spend more time in the state.

Responding to the Archbishop, Uzodinma explained that Imo is an integral part of Nigeria, and for the state to benefit fully from federal resources and opportunities, its leadership must maintain a strong presence at the national level.
“As the Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum and the South-East Governors’ Forum, my responsibilities necessitate constant engagement with Abuja.
Being in Abuja has not hindered the payment of workers’ salaries, the fight against insecurity, or the progress of ongoing projects in the state,” Uzodinma stated.
The governor argued that a leader’s effectiveness should not be judged by how often they stay in the state but by the tangible results of their administration.
Similarly, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Electronic and Creative Media, Ambrose Nwaogwugwu, defended Uzodinma’s trips to Abuja, noting the federal interventions they have attracted to Imo.
“Under Governor Uzodinma, Imo State has witnessed an unprecedented federal presence. These include the conversion of Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education to a Federal University of Education, the elevation of the Federal Medical Centre to a Federal University Teaching Hospital, and the reconstruction of the Owerri-Port Harcourt and Owerri-Aba roads,” Nwaogwugwu said.
He added that critics exaggerate the governor’s absences, ignoring the significant achievements brought about by his strategic engagements at the national level.
“The Governor’s primary responsibility is to improve the lives of Imolites, and he is doing just that. If staying in Abuja ensures that Imo gets its fair share of national benefits, then it is worth it,” Nwaogwugwu concluded.
Uzodinma reaffirmed his commitment to delivering dividends of democracy to Imo State, stating that his presence at the “epicenter of decision-making” is critical to securing more benefits for the state.
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