On March 2, 2019 the citizens of Imo State in the South Eastern part of Nigeria will join their counterparts across the nation to elect a Governor from amongst the multitude of persons who have put themselves forward to be elected to govern the states for the next four years.
In Imo State, no fewer than 51 political parties are fielding candidates for the sole vacant Governorship Seat. The candidates came from the known major political parties to emerging and obscure political parties. Each of the candidates are very optimistic that he or she will become the next Imo Governor after Owelle Rochas Okorocha completes his constitutionally allowed eight years of four year term on May 29, 2019.
As it is the culture of politicians in this part of the world, each of the candidates will argue or even be ready to kill if anyone says he or she will not win the election because of many factors including but not limited to Finance, Credibility, Political Structure, Goodwill and above all Competence to govern. It has been said that the Nigerian politician is an incurable optimist. He would know that he is alone in the pursuit of his inordinate ambition but will hope against hope that all the electorates will vote for him by chance.
This state of affair has led to the emergence in 2011 of Owelle Okorocha who used sweet tongue to hoodwink the good people of Imo State to vote for him instead of the incumbent Governor Ikedi Ohakim, although it was later discovered that the then Power in Aso Rock Villa, Abuja did not want Ohakim to be re-elected for allegedly been late President Umaru Yar’Adua “Boy”. The plot was hatched and executed from Abuja while Imolites fell prey and supported the Charade. They are worse for it today.
This past eight years (2011 to 2019) to an average Imo State citizen can be best described as the “Years of Locusts”. It has been the period of “Iberiberism” to borrow the word from the originator. The days of absurdity in the once progressive state. Governance was redefined and reduced to “Family Affair “. It is either you are related to the Governor by blood or by marriage before you are accepted to serve. Nepotism and Self aggrandizement were promoted to the high heavens.
Indeed, Imo state is like a kingdom now because authority flows from the Government House Owerri where the Emperor lords it over his subjects including the Imo House of Assembly, Civil servants, Traditional Rulers, School authorities and the rest of the citizens since 2011.
The outgoing government disobeyed all known laws of the state and federal and that of natural justice. In this manner, many people suffered great loss of their properties and other possessions. No compensation was paid to people whose properties were either destroyed or taken over government and those who won court cases against Imo State government . All these happened while the citizen looked on to yet another election year.
In fact, that time is now. That day is March 2, 2019 and Ndi Imo will have another chance to choose a candidate they believe will not take them for granted anymore or the Governor who will visit more hardship on them and make life miserable for them. They will have to choose from the over 51 candidates who will be on the Ballot Box of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
However, only few names can be easily mentioned amongst the multitude that are contesting for the Office of Imo State Governor. Among the known names are ex- Governor, Dr. Ikedi Ohakim of Accord Party; former Deputy Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha of PDP; Senator Ifeanyi Ararume of APGA and Gov. Rochas Okorocha’s brother In Law, Uche Nwosu of AS as well as Senator Hope Uzodinma of APC. The list is too long to remember all the names of contestants and their parties.
But to make a good choice from the crowd, Imo Voters should think well before casting their votes on March 2. They should search their conscience before making a decision especially people from Orlu Zone of Imo State who will have the moral burden to vote for any candidate from there place. This is instructive because their son, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has done eight years on the back of another8 years of two consecutive two terms done by former Governor Achike Udenwa (1999 to 2007).
If by chance another Orlu Zone candidate emerges as Imo State Governor in 2019, it then means that Imo state has become a conquered territory of Ndi Orlu Zone. No more, no less. It shows that only Orlu Zone is Imo State and Imo state is Orlu Zone. It means that both Okigwe and Owerri Zones should just dust their bottom and go home for the child they have come to babysit called “Imo State” has died. No two ways anout it. There is no basis for this scenario if the Imo Political Contractors had left Okigwe Zone through Dr. Ohakim to complete his two constitutionally allowed two terms in 2015.
Okigwe Zone was again denied other chance four years ago when Orlu Zone returned Okorocha the second time hence in 2019 it will be an over kill by Orlu Zone to even be proud to present candidates to struggle with Okigwe and Owerri Zones. Where is the Spirit of Brotherhood? Where is Imo Charter of Equity? Where is the Law of Natural Justice? Where is the Fear of God?
Therefore, Ndi Imo especially men and Women of good conscience should make their choices between Okigwe and Owerri Zones GovernorshipCandidates “Maka Idi Na Otu Imo”. Greed, Selfishness and Lack of Equity should not hold Imo State down after March 2. To start with, let the wrong done to Okigwe Zone be reversed by voting in a son of Okigwe Zone and by extension Dr. Ohakim whom great injustice was visited upon in 2011. He is the only candidate who can not do Second Term in 2023.
Luckily, Dr. Ohakim has thrown his hat into the ring, has sworn an Affidavit which has deposited with the authorities and has promised to hit the ground running. He is the only candidate who can boast of Political Structures across the 27 Local Government Areas in Imo State. From his former Commissioners, Special Advisers, Special Assistants, Personal Assistants, Heads of Ministries, Agencies and Departments. He also has sympathizers amongst Traditional Rulers, LGA Chairmen and Councillors as well as Community Leaders.
Above all, if Ndi Imo make another mistake of voting for Political Gangsters or Contractors the citizens will continue to envy their Igbo counterparts in Enugu, Abia, Anambra and Ebonyi where the three Senatorial Zones take turn to govern and develop the zones of their state.
Imo, a state that produced political heavyweights like Dr. K O Mbadiwes, Chief Sam Mbakwes, Chief Colins Obis, Prof. Maurice Iwus, Senator Echeruos, Chief (Dr) Emmanuel Iwuanyanwus, Chief Evan Enwerems, Dr. Basil Nnanna Ukaegbus, Barr. Dan Nwanyanwus, Maverick Senator Arthur Nzeribes, Chief RBK Okafors, Chief (Dr) M.I. Awurumibes, Senator Agunnannes, etc, has been reduced to political non starter since eight years.
Ndi Imo Vote Wisely. Ndi Imo Once Beaten……. Shy.Ka Chineke Mezie Okwu.
Harry Awurumibe, is a public affairs commentator.
