Walter Duru, Ph.D<\/p>\n
On Monday, June 3, 2019, former chieftain of the All Progressives Grand
\nAlliance and former member of the House of Representatives, Chief Uche
\nOnyeagucha was sworn in as Secretary to the Government of Imo State by
\nthe Governor, Chief Emeka Ihedioha. Governor Ihedioha\u2019s choice of
\nOnyeagucha has, as expected, generated reactions, with different
\nstakeholders canvassing different opinions. But, why should Hon.
\nOnyeagucha that joined the Ihedioha camp just before the elections land
\nthe post of SGI?<\/p>\n
Apart from the fact that Onyeagucha proved his mettle, by ensuring that
\nthe attempt to allegedly smuggle in fake results during the Governorship
\ncollation was foiled, his efforts in convincing members of the \u2018New
\nAPGA\u2019 to join the Ihedioha\/Irona train may not be forgotten in a
\nhurry. Most importantly, is he qualified? Does he have capacity to
\ndeliver? If yes, why not? His choice ultimately shows that Governor
\nIhedioha\u2019s promise of inclusive government is beyond rhetoric.
\nExamples abound, but, this is a discussion for another day.<\/p>\n
Another classical example is the Retreat for members-elect of Imo State
\nHouse of Assembly. The venue of the Retreat is a Hotel in Oguta. The
\nProprietor of the Hotel may not have worked for the Peoples Democratic
\nParty during the election. Reports have it that he invested heavily in
\nthe campaigns of one of the other candidates (against his brother- the
\nDeputy Governor, Gerald Irona), but failed to make any meaningful impact
\nin the area.<\/p>\n
To the chagrin of many, the same Hotel is about the first beneficiary of
\nthe Ihedioha\/Irona administration. Is it about the millions he will\/may
\nhave been paid for hospitality services or the exposure, considering the
\nfact that the twenty seven House of Assembly members, the Governor,
\nDeputy Governor, aides and other top government functionaries attended?
\nMany who never knew that such a place existed now know. What other kind
\nof marketing does the Hotel need?<\/p>\n
The point is simple. The Ihedioha\/Irona administration is looking beyond
\nparty affiliation and loyalty in running the affairs of Imo State. They
\nare building bridges, preaching reconciliation, while insisting on doing
\nthe right things at all times.<\/p>\n
Ihedioha has never hidden his intention to involve as many Imo people as
\npossible in his administration, irrespective of political divide and
\naffiliation. He has continued to reiterate his call for all Imo
\nstakeholders to join his government in rebuilding the State.<\/p>\n
The Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Gerald Irona, pursuant to this task of
\nbringing Imo sons and daughters together in the rebuilding Imo project
\nhad long traversed all nooks and crannies of Ohaji\/Egbema\/Oguta\/Oru West
\nFederal Constituency, preaching reconciliation, while calling on persons
\nother than members of the ruling party to join the government of Hon.
\nEmeka Ihedioha to take Imo to greater heights.<\/p>\n
After one of such moves, one of the persons Irona visited has this to
\nsay:<\/p>\n
\u201cIrona shocked me. He did what I cannot do. He bought wine and came to
\nmy house after the Independent National Electoral Commission-INEC
\ndeclared his Party, the Peoples Democratic Party winner of the 2019
\nGovernorship election. Initially, I did not support his Party, but,
\nfollowing that move, I supported the PDP in the rerun election. Even
\nafter winning the election, he visited some of us (his old friends) who
\nhad other political interests. Henceforth, whatever he (Irona) wants
\nfrom me politically, I will do it for him.\u201d<\/p>\n
The above were the exact words of a former Senior Special Assistant to
\nthe Governor of Imo State, Hon. Williams Ejiako when I spoke with him
\nafter a reconciliatory visit by the Imo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon.
\nGerald Irona. He indeed, supported and assisted the ruling PDP to
\nvictory in his area- Agwa, one of the densely populated areas of the
\nstate, with three electoral Wards.<\/p>\n
In one of my quiet times with him, the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Gerald
\nIrona told me about his plans to reconcile with all his former political
\nallies. He said it with utmost humility. I know when he is serious about
\nissues and from the way he said it and his body language, I got the
\nmessage clearly. He meant business.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, March 12, 2019, when, in an emotion-laden speech during a
\nreception in his honour by thousands of political stakeholders from
\nOhaji\/Egbema\/Oguta\/Oru West Federal constituency at the Haven of Peace
\nresidence of former Senator Francis Arthur Nzeribe, Irona announced his
\ndetermination to reconcile all political stakeholders in the area, with
\na view to bringing all back into one political family.<\/p>\n
That declaration came to many as a shock. For some, it was impossible
\nfor a Nigerian politician to want to initiate a reconciliatory move with
\nthose that worked against his interest and that of his party, after
\nwinning the election without their support. No doubt, the political
\nculture in Nigeria is \u201cwinner takes all\u201d. Therefore, for many, it
\nwas a strange narrative, but, he meant it.<\/p>\n
Whoever has worked closely with Hon. Gerald Irona will know a few basic
\nthings about him. First, he does not make empty political promises.
\nSecond, he respects relationship. Third, he does not forget whatever
\ncontribution\/assistance one makes to him, no matter how little. In
\nshort, he does not throw away a baby with dirty water.<\/p>\n
To show that he is a man of his words, days after that expensive pledge,
\nIrona took the bold step. He visited the homes of some notable political
\nactors in the area. In all of the visits, his message was simple- we are
\nbrothers. Come, let\u2019s work together.<\/p>\n
He was at the residence of Hon. Eugene Dibiagwu, a chieftain of the All
\nProgressives Congress-APC and Izombe-born confidant of the APC
\nGovernorship candidate in the last election, Senator Hope Uzodimma. He
\nalso visited Hon. Henry Igbomezie, a former member of the House of
\nAssembly, representing Oguta State constituency in his residence, among
\nothers. In all of these, Irona\u2019s message was simple- \u201cWe are
\nbrothers. Imo belongs to all of us. Come, let\u2019s work together to
\nrebuild Imo.\u201d<\/p>\n
Even in victory, Irona is ready to embrace and work with all. This is
\nindeed, the spirit of the Ihedioha team.<\/p>\n
But, this move did not go without reactions, particularly, his core
\nloyalists and members of his political family. Many expressed fears that
\nthe same persons that confronted them in the field during the elections
\nmay be positioning to take their places in the government, thereby
\nreaping where they may not have sown.<\/p>\n
But, that will not be the case. Irona has continued to explain to all
\nthat the \u201cUmbrella is large enough for everyone.\u201d His firm belief
\nthat public offices are calls for service and not to \u2018eat\u2019 has kept
\nhim going.<\/p>\n
But, is it a personal decision? Not likely. A look at the Transition
\nTechnical Committee and even the Governorship Inauguration Committee
\nshows that a lot of persons other than members of the Peoples Democratic
\nParty were on the lists. Chieftains of other political parties were
\ninvolved. Technocrats and professionals from all walks of life were also
\ninvolved. These are obvious signs of an administration that believes
\nthat the only language citizens understand is good governance.<\/p>\n
It is almost certain that the \u2018Ihedioha team\u2019 is on a mission to
\nmake Imo people united in the rebuilding Imo project. The implication is
\nthat those that will manage the affairs of the state in the next four
\nyears may not necessarily be card-carrying members of the ruling PDP,
\nbut, those that have great things to offer the people of Imo State.<\/p>\n
However, I do not envy the new Governor. Imo is wrecked. The eight years
\nof reign of Chief Rochas Okorocha remain a deep sour on the feet of Ndi
\nImo. The debt profile of the State is frightening. Public Institutions
\nin the state are grounded. The issue of Okorocha\u2019s eight years of
\ndisaster in Imo is a case for another day, anyway.<\/p>\n
Definitely, the Governor, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha and his Deputy, Rt.
\nHon. Gerald Irona understand clearly the enormity of tasks ahead. They
\nunderstand clearly that governance goes beyond primordial sentiments.
\nThe ultimate thing is that there has to be results that all will be
\nproud of.<\/p>\n
One thing that may take some time for Imo state to get after the
\nIhedioha\/Irona era is the rare combination of the duo. Never in the
\nhistory of Imo have we had such great talents work together as Governor
\nand Deputy. No doubt, expectations are very high, but, the fact that
\nthey have realized the need for head-hunt, with a view to identifying
\nthe best brains to help rebuild Imo suggests that they are ready for
\nbusiness.<\/p>\n
But, are the reconciliatory moves working? The answer is simple \u2013 yes!
\nWhile I do not support a one-party state in Imo, stakeholders must
\nrealize that the period of politicking is over. This time is for
\ngovernance. All efforts should be made to ensure that Imo is better.<\/p>\n
Irona\u2019s reconciliatory moves are exemplary and should be emulated by
\nall political office holders. No one person can do it alone.<\/p>\n
Now, let\u2019s rebuild Imo State. I have joined the train of good
\ngovernance in Imo. What about you?<\/p>\n
All hands must be in deck.<\/p>\n