By Dr Austin Uganwa
Last Saturday President Goodluck Jonathan embarked on what seemed like a
triumphant entry into Owerri , Imo state capital for a grand political
rally. The rally was organized principally for him to flag off the
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) campaigns ahead of the 2015 General
Elections. The event was profound and symbolic amid trappings of wide
ranging endorsement by the people.
By 11 am, sea of heads had streamed into Dan Anyiam stadium, venue of the
event and the place was accordingly boisterous. They exuded unprecedented
excitement and contentment even after waiting hours for the arrival of the
President who came to Imo from neigbouring Anambra state. It was an
eloquent show of solidarity which Imo people demonstrated to President
Goodluck Jonathan who came to seek their support for his re-election bid
As he disembarked from his official vehicle and sauntered into the waiting
crowd at past 4 pm the enthusiastic Imo people surged towards him. They
followed him as he moved briskly round to exchange greetings with some
political leaders in the state. Jonathan exuded strikingly pleasant mien
cutting a picture of one at home with his people and supporters.
His wife, Dame Patience Jonathan who addressed the crowd in persuasive
Igbo language drove the point intrinsically home. In her rising and
falling melodic voice, she gave Imo people several reasons why they
should endorse her husband, in so doing, voting massively for him
during the presidential election.
In attendance, comportment, instantly recognizable warmth and incomparable
but amazing reception, Imolites clearly and collectively made an
unmistakable statement . The statement being that President Goodluck
Jonathan is their own and therefore seen by them as sole presidential
candidate. To them any other presidential hopeful seeking their support is
wasting time
Imolites were largely gratified when President Jonathan identified some
of his legacies in the state and the country at large. These include; the
dualization of Owerri-Aba Road; rehabilitation of Owerri- Portharcourt
Road; building of Integrated Power Plant; construction of second Niger
Bridge; education reform and establishment of additional 12 Federal
Universities and several others. On several occasions during the rally the
people evidently and accordingly demonstrated their collective willingness
for him to stay on for another four years to consolidate the gains of his
legacies
The rally was indicative that Imo in harmony is still a PDP state in spite
of the interference of the APC government. In the face of this
realization, the over 95 percent votes which Imo people bequeathed
President Jonathan in 2011 would be repeated this year and even in greater
proportion
It is also obvious that Imo people are set to vote out Governor Rochas
Okorocha, known by many Imo people as ‘Aboki’ in the Douglas House in
Owerri, in preference to a more credible, visionary leader, the PDP flag
bearer, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives
Since May 29, 2011 Okorocha emerged as Governor of Imo he has run the most
deceitful government ever known in history. Looting of public fund has
been done with reckless abandon. Public funds are managed without recourse
to fiscal discipline, while contracts are awarded arbitrarily, mindless of
due process. Most contracts unfortunately are abandoned due to inability
of Okorocha’s government to pay contractors
Local government system, the third tier of government has deliberately
been destroyed completely paving way for him to corner the over N2.3b
monthly allocation to the 27 local councils in the state
He has run the most lawless government and organized a phantom, fraudulent
criminal charge against his former deputy, Jude Agbaso to get rid of him
so as to run away from an agreement he reached with him
He acquires lands in the state and companies owned by the government for
him and family members. His so-called free education has ruined both the
school system in the state and Imo state University. Standard of education
in Imo is on a free fall with the state ranking as one of the worst
performing states
Now Imo people are coming together to say enough of Okorocha’s bad
governance. This is demonstrable in the manner they rallied round
President and the in-coming Governor, Hon Ihedioha during the campaign
flag-off
The process towards reclaiming Imo from bad governance of Okorocha’s
government has begun. The PDP guber candidate, Hon Ihedioha has been
rolling out his manifestoes on how to rebuild Imo and restore sanity in
the state when elected. It is therefore imperative for Imo people to as
usual make history by making the right political choice
Dr Uganwa, wrote in from Owerri, Imo state