Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has said he did not have any political intention in sponsoring the 1,200 Christian and Muslim pilgrims, who visited Jerusalem, Jordan, Mecca and Medina this year on pilgrimage. He said he was rather interested in the spiritual uplift of the beneficiaries, coupled with moral benefits and their relationship with God.
The governor spoke at Eze Imo Palace in Mbari, Owerri in his remarks during the interdenominational thanksgiving service organised by the pilgrims to appreciate him for the opportunity given to them to visit holy land at no cost to them.
He had paid for the airlift, feeding, accommodation and other expenses of 1,000 Christian pilgrims to Jordan and Jerusalem, as well as for 200 Muslims, who went to Mecca and Medina from Imo State.
The service turned out to be a moment of emotional outpour, as Uzodimma was treated with tales of how, through the exercise and his magnanimity, many beneficiaries, Christian and Muslim pilgrims, had the opportunity of either travelling by air for the first time in their lives as well as travelling outside the shores of Nigeria, also for the first time.
The pilgrims, most of who clamoured to see the sponsor, were excited to behold the governor in their midst and also happy over the opportunity to lavish prayers on him as the governorship election draws closer.
Although they reminded Uzodimma that they prayed for him, his family, his government, Imo State, among others at the holy land, the pilgrims also told him that the payback time, which is November 11, has come.
They were therefore happy to enter into a prayer of agreement, after which they endorsed the governor for re-election and resolved to vote massively for him.
Source: The nation newspaper
