Date Published: 03/02/11

Imo Governorship: The Issues by Agukwe J. Elvis

When some political stakeholders in Imo State describe the forthcoming governorship election as a walk-over for Governor Ikedi Ohakim, their optimism is predicated on the fact that apart from the collapse of opposition in the state, all indices point to an easy victory for the sitting governor. Apart from the obvious advantage of being an incumbent who has his achievements to campaign for him, Ohakim has the people solidly behind him. Apart from being the only candidate who won’t seek re-election in 2015 thereby ensuring the smooth handover to another zone in the state, Ohakim has the PDP machine behind him in a PDP dominated state as Imo.

Unfortunately, neither Senator Ifeanyi Araraume of ACN nor Rochas Okorocha of APGA has the political goodwill that Ohakim has. None of these challengers also inspires confidence, trust and integrity as the governor such that what Imo people are clamouring for is the validation of Ohakim’s mandate in April so that the political equilibrium in the state would not be disrupted. They are also praying for the assistance of God so that they will sincerely discern and implement the will of God as far as the governorship election in the state is concerned.

In a nutshell, the factors that would shape the voting pattern in the state are performances as against vain promises. Integrity will also triumph over deceit, while the stability of the state will tower over and above promoters of instability and ethnic discord.

When Ohakim assumed power in 2007, he promised total transformation of the state. This he has done through massive road network and other infrastructures which have made Imo state a sight to behold. He promised the revival of the economy. He has done that with setting up of two world class institutions i.e. Oguta Wonder Lake Resort and a refinery and petrochemical plant. He promised job creation. Today 10,000 graduates are working in the state civil service with the concomitant economic rejuvenation. Through conducive policies, Imo State has become a tourist destination. Nobody can deny the fact that Imo is now better than the squalor Ohakim met in 2007. He has several awards to confirm him as the master of the environment. That is performance which speaks for itself.

Apparently learning from the mistakes of the 80s when Sam Mbakwe was dubbed the weeping governor, Ohakim became pragmatic and proactive by returning to the PDP family, thus saving Imo from being an orphan in an opposition party called PPA.  He rightly read the mood of the people that Imo ought to be in national politics so as to benefit from the national resources. Today, the results have been seen since he hooked Imo State to the national grid of politics.

Indeed within the last one year, Ohakim has attracted more than N300 billion worth of projects from the federal government. These include, but not limited to, to Naval Base and Inland Port at Oguta, dualization of Port Harcourt and Owerri Road, NDDC projects scattered round the state, the dredging of Nwaorie River, three power stations, grains silos at Okigwe and many others. President Goodluck Jonathan has capped it up with a promise to tackle the erosion menace in the state. What more can we ask from a visionary and dynamic governor like Ohakim?

Conversely, Araraume in his eight years at the National Assembly cannot point at any significant project he attracted to the people of Okigwe zone. In fact recent records from the senate indicate that even in mere attendance to plenary sessions of the senate, the distinguished senator shortchanged his people. A man who was abandoned by his own party four years ago cannot perform any magic to change the tide now. The promises by Araraume of transforming the state have refused to fly because if he could squander a golden opportunity, what assurance do Imo people have that a leopard is about to change its spots?

The same applies to Rochas Okorocha who is widely known as a show man and veteran of electoral contest. Apart from local government chairman, there is virtually no office which Rochas has not contested before. From seeking to be president, governor, PDP chairman, senator and what have you, Rochas has returned to his expensive gamble of running for governorship under APGA. Behold, the founder of Action Alliance, famed financier of PDP and friend of Nigeria’s first family, easily jumped ship to APGA where his candidature is now a subject of litigation and deep division. Rochas has promised free education for Imo students if elected. Anybody who is sincere knows that it is simply impossible. That is an exercise in fluidity. Anambra state, the only state in the federation that currently has APGA running the state has not found it easier managing the education sector let alone offering free education in that state. Free education in Imo is beyond Rochas Foundation which is actually funded by some charities abroad.

What is even more, Rochas is almost an alien in his home state, Imo. He is seen only during elections and as soon as he loses out, which is now a trade mark, he scampers for his base to bid his time again for another election. Such a man does not connect with the people and therefore ignorant of their needs and fears.

Beyond that however, Rochas’ candidature is a threat to the political stability of Imo State which stands on a tripod. Orlu, Okigwe and Owerri zones take their turns in the governorship of Imo State. Between 1999 and 2007, an Orlu man in the person of Chief Achike Udenwa was governor. The years 2007 and 2015 were allocated to Okigwe zone after which Owerri zone will take its turn. Rochas who is from Orlu zone is privy to this political arrangement and in fact contest in 1999 but lost. So why does he want to create an instability now that it is the turn of Okigwe zone?

People initially thought that he was joking when he declared interest in the governorship. But now that he has through a dubious act, wrestled the ticket of APGA, it has become worrisome that he is in fact serious to dismantle what Imo political stakeholders put in place to safe-guard the stability of the state. this, of cause, would be impossible.  

This is where Imo people, especially those from Okigwe and Owerri zones should be wary of those who are opposing the re-election of Governor Ohakim. For now, he remains the only candidate who will not rock the political boat of Imo State. Because Ohakim is constitutionally barred from seeking another term in 2015, he will surely hand over to an Owerri man that year. That cannot be said of Araraume, Rochas or any of the other candidates. Being politicians with insatiable thirst for power, these power mongers are bound to upset and disrupt the political equilibrium if through any miracle, they become tenants of Douglas House.

These are the choices before Imo people. Ohakim is the devil they know and trust. Others are fabled angels whose primordial interests are at variance with the wishes and aspirations of Imo people. Ohakim has served faithfully, honestly and sincerely. Under him in 2011, Imo will witness more transformation under the able hands of God. 

NZE Elvis Jude Agukwe is the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Imo State.