Date Published: 02/27/10

AS TYRANNY TAKES OFF IN IMO STATE By Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha

As I write this article, prolific writer, social critic and public opinion analyst, Mr. Maximus Uba has been declared personae non- grata by the Ikedi Ohakim leadership. His offence is that he wrote an article analyzing the 2009 budget of N135 billion for Imo state. The truth is that he has not done anything wrong but the governor has finally decided to clamp down on all social critics and crusaders. Instead of charging Maximus Uba to court for a so called ‘defamation’, the Ohakim leadership instructed the commissioner of Police Mr.Ilozuoke to invite Maximus Uba for questioning.   

As a patriotic citizen of Imo state, Maximus Uba came down from Abuja to honour the invitation. He was questioned at the C.I.B office of the state police command on the 28th January, 2009. This writer was also present along with other social crusaders and patriotic citizens of Imo state. He was later asked to go but to report back on Friday 30th January, 2009. Twenty minutes later, his handset rang. When he answered the call, he was requested to come back “immediately” to C.I.B for a little ‘Clarification”. Maximus called me and few others for the second time. We used our contact to investigate that little “clarification” and confirmed that Ikedi Ohakim has ordered that Mr. Maximus Uba be detained indefinitely. The question now is, FOR WHAT? If he committed any offence, then the normal thing is to charge him to court. SIMPLE.  

Imo state government’s list of those to be dealt with include the following, Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha, Dr. Sam Madugba, Hon. Dr. Emeka Ukaegbu,Rt. Hon. Barr. Kelechi Nwagwu,Chief Paddy Obinna (Nigerian Strides),  Barr. Bethel Nzimako, etc. The list is endless. Some elder statesmen are also to be humiliated e.g HRH Eze Dr. Oliver Ohanweh etc.  

This writer’s case is very spectacular because I am in the forefront against bad leadership in Imo state. I have a total of 165 articles already published to show for it. All my articles centered on mismanagement of leadership in Imo state. Furthermore, it should be noted that I personally wrote a petition to EFCC against the Ikedi Ohakim leadership revealing the looting taking place in Imo state. I also copied the Inspector General of Police, some human right organizations, some anti- corruption organizations, media organizations in Nigeria and many prominent citizens in Nigeria . The Inspector General of Police has acknowledged receiving my petition by writing to me through his principal Staff Officer. (CP Austin OBAEDO).  

Therefore to use threat and force to melt down opinion and views in Imo state is an act of cowardice, infantile, myopic and a clear case of madness on the part of Ikedi Ohakim leadership. I must continue to warn that the position of a Governor can never be equated to human life. Imo people will surely hold Ikedi Ohakim personally responsible should anybody with alternative views die, killed, kidnapped, assassinated etc. If Ikedi Ohakim is a great man, he should allow EFCC and office of the Inspector General of Police finish their investigation. He should not resort to strangulation of patriotic citizens.  

I cannot conclude this piece without  informing Imo citizens that I have been in court with Ikedi Ohakim since July, 2008. He dragged me to court for writing an article published in the Nigerian Strides on the 16th of June 2008 captioned ‘WHY ARE THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY MEMBERS ASSISTING OHAKIM TO DESTROY IMO STATE ?”. First Ohakim responded by sendind secret cult boys to harm me. That failed. He used the police to intimidate me and failed. He used SSS and failed. He then dragged me to court. When his leadership saw my ability and God’s Grace, they ran away. It is on record that I have revealed and exposed all the fraud and looting going on in Imo state under Ikedi Ohakim leadership. The question is, has Ohakim refuted my allegations? The only attempt he made to that effect was when he rushed to NTA channel 12 Owerri on the 8th October, 2008 and called me “An ordinary Kerosene dealer” who does not mind his business.  

Of more worrisome is the involvement of police and SSS in the state to cause confusion. The police and SSS should be seen to maintain law and order. I will therefore advice commissioner of police  Mr. Ilozuoke not to allow himself to be used to deal ruthlessly with patriotic citizens of Imo state with constructive views on the way forward. The commissioner of police should remember Mr. DAVID ABURE. He was once at the helm of affairs of police in Imo state between 1995 to 1996. He was used by the “Powers” that be to oppress the poor masses. Stealing, looting, 419, Ritual killing was the order of the day. All these eventually led to the infamous OTOKOTO riot. The above scenario is already happening in Imo state again even in a more dangerous form.  

To conclude, it is only a leadership that reasons from the anus that fights and oppresses the poor masses. I need not say more.  

By

Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha

Facilitator- SLAP Initiative

0703 2934037

Ikennasamuelson @ yahoo.com

31st January, 2009.

Cc: Media organizations in Nigeria.