Imo's New Deputy Governor Sworn-In

After series of intrigues, the newly appointed Deputy Governor of Imo State, 48-year-old Prince Eze Madumere, was sworn-in Saturday amid tight security at the Sam Mbakwe Expanded Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Owerri.Madumere’s name was submitted to the 27-member Imo State House of Assembly, presided by Benjamin Uwajimogu, after the impeachment of Sir Jude Agbaso, for “gross misconduct of office and bribery”.
He was screened and cleared after a seven–man panel headed by Justice Godwin Ihekire (rtd) submitted a report indicting Agbaso. Okorocha; Speaker of the Assembly, Uwajimogu; Commissioners and others witnessed the swearing-in event.

Madumere said he would remain loyal to Okorocha whom he described as his mentor of several years. “Circumstance has made me the Deputy Governor of Imo State. I was comfortable as Chief of Staff,” he said. He swore that he never sought to become Deputy Governor. Madumere wished Agbaso well.

The new Deputy Governor was urged to discharge his duties in line with the principles of “Rescue Mission Agenda” of the administration.

Governor Rochas Okorocha, who gave the advice at the swearing-in also urged him to be selfless in his service.

The governor said sacrifice was the symbol of his administration and noted: “If you must succeed in this administration, you must be ready to pay sacrifice.”

Mr. Madumere was sworn into office by the Chief Judge of the State, Benjamin Njemanze, following the removal of the former deputy governor, Jude Agbaso by the State House of Assembly.

Mr. Agbaso was impeached by the Assembly on Thursday March 28, on indictment of an allegation of N458 million contract scam with a construction firm JPROS Nigeria.

Mr. Okorocha said the administration was centered on the people and advised the new deputy governor to always consider the interest of the people first while carrying out his duties rather than wealth.

“The rescue mission is on course and will remain on course. In the job of the rescue mission, one must think of sacrifice. If you must succeed in this job you must think less of yourself and more of the job.

“For you to succeed in this job, you must do away with primitive pursuant of wealth and embrace accountability. For you to succeed in this job, you must think more of governance than the next election,” he said.

The governor described the circumstances that brought in the new deputy as unfortunate and expressed confidence that Mr. Madumere would discharge his duties without fear or favour.

Earlier, Mr. Madumere said that as a former Chief of Staff, he was conversant with the principles of the rescue mission agenda of the present administration and promised to remain focused and committed.

He pledged his loyalty to the governor and assured of his readiness to work harmoniously with other arms of government to make the state better.