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The ascendancy of Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha as the governor of Imo
State could be likened to a mass movement.
Though, the intrigue that threw him up must have died down, but we could not
forget in a hurry the level of horse trading which ensured that he secured the
land slide victory. With the electrical log-jam between Okorocha and Ohakim,
the hitherto quite Imo State became the cynosure of all eyes and mecca of
sorts, as everybody was eager to see how this titanic political battle in the
eastern heart land would play itself out. At the end, the political power of the All
Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) outwitted that of the People’s Democracy
Party (PDP) even with Ohakim then, as the incumbent governor.
What actually happened was that the power of the people prevailed against that
of the few political gangsters who felt that Imo State should continue to be
subjected to the political whims and caprices of those who had held the State
hostage thereby denying it of the developmental dividends of democracy over
the years through personal interest or self aggrandizement. No wonder some of
the youths in Imo State mostly KEKE NAPEP drivers, artisans, and others who
felt that change is needed in Imo State queued behind Okorocha whom they
regarded as the next messiah of Imo State after the exploits of the late Dee
Samuel Onunaka Mbakwe of the blessed Memory.
Most people at the hey day of Imo State when Dee Sam Mbakwe who was
dubbed a weeping governor still recall with nostalgia the developmental strides
that Imo State was known for. At a time, Imo State was adjudged the cleanest
State in the whole federation. In terms of infrastructural development, such
companies like Golden Guinea Breweries Umuahia, the Avutu Poultry Farm,
the Adapalm plantation, Imo Concorde Hotel, Standard Shoe Company Owerri,
Imo Airport among others were some of the glowing achievements of Mbakwes
administration.
The Amaraku power station, the famous Aria-aria international market and the
whole lot of road network were among his developmental giant strides that
could not be diminished with a wave of hand. That is why till today the Imo
State citizens will doff their hats and tell you that after the reign of Dee Sam
Mbakwe Imo State has never had a “governor”. It is ironical to note that most of
the roads that were constructed during Mbakwe’s administration have been
washed away either by flood or erosion making some of them inaccessible
several years after the end of Mbakwe’s administration. Also the
aforementioned companies are non existent or moribund.
However with Okorocha at the helm of affairs in Imo State, whom the masses
regarded as people’s governor, a lot of expectations are in the offing but how he
will achieve such great expectations is another source of worry and a serious
political discourse.
At the moment, some sections of the state especially the people of Ngor-
Okpala are feeling disenchanted with the appointments so far made by
Okorocha. To them , they felt used and dumped as according to them, after
voting massively for him, when the governorship election result was to be
decided, of which Ngor-Okpala was a key deciding factor, Okorocha did not
deem it fit to appoint any of her sons or daughters as one of the numerous
political aids.
Recently I read a publication in one of the national dailies where a paid
advertorial was put up by some people who referred themselves as Imo
professionals. To them, the dissolution of the 27 Local government area
chairmen was an act of illegality, brazing and fragrant display of political
rascality which portrayed Okorocha’s hatred for the rule of law mantra which is
one of the cardinal objectives of President GoodLuck Ebele Jonathan’s
administration. they went further to allege that Okorocha has sold the
prestigious Concorde Hotel Owerri. The Imo Transport company Limited (ITC),
the famous Adapalm among others. They also posited that the purported
massive roads construction and rehabilitation recently announced by the
Okorocha’s administration was a farce or ruse.
But where they got such information could not be ascertained as they claimed
that all the transactions were not documented. The government of Okorocha
has also replied, thereby paving the way for claims and counter claims which at
the long run might serve as an ill wind that blows no one any good.
More so some group of people who called themselves the Port Harcourt
vanguard also claimed that they worked tirelessly for the success of Okorocha
at the polls but till now nothing has been done to compensate them.
So, with the myriad of problems such as infrastructural decay epitomized by
the state of the primary and secondary schools in Imo state, lack of viable
companies, erosion menace, unemployment, security challenges, and other
attendant problems inherent in the state coupled with criticisms and the fact
that within a day or two some governors will be celebrating 100 days in office,
one wonders how Okorocha will meet such expectations bearing in mind the
level of income accruable to the state and the debt burden incurred by the last
administration of Ikedi Ohakim.
Though, Okorocha has started well, by reducing his security votes, making
education free in Imo state, reducing the controversial Imo state University
school fees. Dissolution of the 27 Local Government area chairmen, removal of
some of the heads of the government parastatals in Imo State including the
sacking of the former chairman of the traditional council of Ndi-Eze, Eze Hycent
IIomuanya, and most recently the laying of the foundation stone of science and
Technology based institution in Owerri among others, a lot still need to be done.
So, he should not embark on white elephant projects but on a variable and
achievable few like education, cottage industries health and security. He should
also as a matter of fact avoid the media hype that ruined his predecessor and
desist from all manners of joining issues with groups or organizations so as to
avoid unnecessary distraction which usually whittles down the power of a
serving executive. He should equally devote more time to those things that
benefit the people at the grass root especially youth empowerment
programmes and other things that can act as catalysts to the development of
Imo State. Hence an old adage which says that to whom much is given, much
is expected. And also as Igbos would say “Uka dire bu otu olu” and time they
say, will tell.
Peter Ihejirika, a social and political commentator, writes in from Port Harcourt,
Rivers State.
State could be likened to a mass movement.
Though, the intrigue that threw him up must have died down, but we could not
forget in a hurry the level of horse trading which ensured that he secured the
land slide victory. With the electrical log-jam between Okorocha and Ohakim,
the hitherto quite Imo State became the cynosure of all eyes and mecca of
sorts, as everybody was eager to see how this titanic political battle in the
eastern heart land would play itself out. At the end, the political power of the All
Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) outwitted that of the People’s Democracy
Party (PDP) even with Ohakim then, as the incumbent governor.
What actually happened was that the power of the people prevailed against that
of the few political gangsters who felt that Imo State should continue to be
subjected to the political whims and caprices of those who had held the State
hostage thereby denying it of the developmental dividends of democracy over
the years through personal interest or self aggrandizement. No wonder some of
the youths in Imo State mostly KEKE NAPEP drivers, artisans, and others who
felt that change is needed in Imo State queued behind Okorocha whom they
regarded as the next messiah of Imo State after the exploits of the late Dee
Samuel Onunaka Mbakwe of the blessed Memory.
Most people at the hey day of Imo State when Dee Sam Mbakwe who was
dubbed a weeping governor still recall with nostalgia the developmental strides
that Imo State was known for. At a time, Imo State was adjudged the cleanest
State in the whole federation. In terms of infrastructural development, such
companies like Golden Guinea Breweries Umuahia, the Avutu Poultry Farm,
the Adapalm plantation, Imo Concorde Hotel, Standard Shoe Company Owerri,
Imo Airport among others were some of the glowing achievements of Mbakwes
administration.
The Amaraku power station, the famous Aria-aria international market and the
whole lot of road network were among his developmental giant strides that
could not be diminished with a wave of hand. That is why till today the Imo
State citizens will doff their hats and tell you that after the reign of Dee Sam
Mbakwe Imo State has never had a “governor”. It is ironical to note that most of
the roads that were constructed during Mbakwe’s administration have been
washed away either by flood or erosion making some of them inaccessible
several years after the end of Mbakwe’s administration. Also the
aforementioned companies are non existent or moribund.
However with Okorocha at the helm of affairs in Imo State, whom the masses
regarded as people’s governor, a lot of expectations are in the offing but how he
will achieve such great expectations is another source of worry and a serious
political discourse.
At the moment, some sections of the state especially the people of Ngor-
Okpala are feeling disenchanted with the appointments so far made by
Okorocha. To them , they felt used and dumped as according to them, after
voting massively for him, when the governorship election result was to be
decided, of which Ngor-Okpala was a key deciding factor, Okorocha did not
deem it fit to appoint any of her sons or daughters as one of the numerous
political aids.
Recently I read a publication in one of the national dailies where a paid
advertorial was put up by some people who referred themselves as Imo
professionals. To them, the dissolution of the 27 Local government area
chairmen was an act of illegality, brazing and fragrant display of political
rascality which portrayed Okorocha’s hatred for the rule of law mantra which is
one of the cardinal objectives of President GoodLuck Ebele Jonathan’s
administration. they went further to allege that Okorocha has sold the
prestigious Concorde Hotel Owerri. The Imo Transport company Limited (ITC),
the famous Adapalm among others. They also posited that the purported
massive roads construction and rehabilitation recently announced by the
Okorocha’s administration was a farce or ruse.
But where they got such information could not be ascertained as they claimed
that all the transactions were not documented. The government of Okorocha
has also replied, thereby paving the way for claims and counter claims which at
the long run might serve as an ill wind that blows no one any good.
More so some group of people who called themselves the Port Harcourt
vanguard also claimed that they worked tirelessly for the success of Okorocha
at the polls but till now nothing has been done to compensate them.
So, with the myriad of problems such as infrastructural decay epitomized by
the state of the primary and secondary schools in Imo state, lack of viable
companies, erosion menace, unemployment, security challenges, and other
attendant problems inherent in the state coupled with criticisms and the fact
that within a day or two some governors will be celebrating 100 days in office,
one wonders how Okorocha will meet such expectations bearing in mind the
level of income accruable to the state and the debt burden incurred by the last
administration of Ikedi Ohakim.
Though, Okorocha has started well, by reducing his security votes, making
education free in Imo state, reducing the controversial Imo state University
school fees. Dissolution of the 27 Local Government area chairmen, removal of
some of the heads of the government parastatals in Imo State including the
sacking of the former chairman of the traditional council of Ndi-Eze, Eze Hycent
IIomuanya, and most recently the laying of the foundation stone of science and
Technology based institution in Owerri among others, a lot still need to be done.
So, he should not embark on white elephant projects but on a variable and
achievable few like education, cottage industries health and security. He should
also as a matter of fact avoid the media hype that ruined his predecessor and
desist from all manners of joining issues with groups or organizations so as to
avoid unnecessary distraction which usually whittles down the power of a
serving executive. He should equally devote more time to those things that
benefit the people at the grass root especially youth empowerment
programmes and other things that can act as catalysts to the development of
Imo State. Hence an old adage which says that to whom much is given, much
is expected. And also as Igbos would say “Uka dire bu otu olu” and time they
say, will tell.
Peter Ihejirika, a social and political commentator, writes in from Port Harcourt,
Rivers State.
By Peter Ihejirika
African Examiner, Thursday, September 08, 2011
African Examiner, Thursday, September 08, 2011
Okorocha and the Burden of Democracy Dividends
in Imo State
in Imo State
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Examiner.com. Please avoid abusive, vulgar, racist or rude words. Our
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