Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State is under attacks by his critics for always being spotted at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The governor was again seen at the Villa when Governor Siminalayi Fubara visited President Bola Tinubu on a thank you visit last week.
Since President Tinubu assumed power in 2023, the governor is a regular face in the federal seat of power.
Recently the governor alongside Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State were seen waving the president off as he was departing to France on vacation.
Analysts argue that Governor Sanwo-Olu who manages the biggest economy in the country, and who is the closest governor to the president is not seen at the Presidential Villa as frequently as Uzodimma.
Since Uzodimma became governor in January 2020, his state has become the hotbed of insecurity in the South-east. Though the security situation in the state has slightly improved, many believe that it still remains the most unsafe state in the South-east.
The governor has been accused by his political opponents of not concentrating on governance in the state.
They alleged that he is always unavailable to solve the challenges facing the state.
It is not in doubt that once in a while governors visit the president to brief him on issues concerning their states. But critics allege that Uzodimma’s trip to the Villa or Abuja has become too frequent.
His political opponents claim that since he became the Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, he has practically been gallivanting Abuja and other parts of the country for political reasons at the expense of governance in Imo State.
During the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, Uzodimma was also a frequent visitor to the seat of power when the state was seriously in turmoil with criminal elements killing and kidnapping residents and travellers passing through the state.
The governor’s frequent trips are certainly not cheap; it involves a huge burden on the state’s purse.
However, it is not too late for him to learn to stay at home and tackle the myriads of security challenges in the state.
