LAST year, as the political gladiators in our beloved nation plotted to remove President Goodluck Ebele
Jonathan, GEJ, former president Olusegun Obasanjo,OBJ was quoted in the print media as saying that for
him it was ” Anything But Jonathan, ABJ ” .
So they plotted, schemed, and hatched their plans till PDP fell, in Abuja. It will be interesting to watch and
observe how they will wriggle out of the heavy weight of the fallen PDP on top of all of them, at the
centre.
The states are different, for there lies the heartbeat of democratic governance and control, such that a
leader’s sins could easily stare him in the face, with increased interest by Nigerians in whom governs them
and how they do it.
In Imo state, the PDP ruled for eight years from 1999 to 2007, and committed one huge blunder by
handing over the state to Chief Ikedi Ohakim, of the PPA,who later changed to the PDP, but not without
inflicting considerable damage to the image of the PDP in the state. This failure by the PDP to hand power
over to one of their numerous capable hands to continue, but to a man who completely estranged the
people to the party, was considered an insult by the PDP, on the sensibilities of the people. So for Imo
people by 2011, it was “Anything but Ohakim” .
This was the situation that was exploited by Chief Rochas Okorocha to cruise into the State House, using
APGA as his ladder, and appearing like a friend of the people, and the Church.
The Pentecostals were ecstatic in their hopes and joy because one of theirs, a known philanthropist, who
could also flow with the Catholic Church had risen. They all sang, danced and prayed together. Imo loved
him and voted massively for him.
Half way into his tenure, things started changing, and people started noticing that most state companies
and projects went only to those who had ties or links with Okorochas’ families; Contracts were awarded
without proper documentation and due process; contractors were being owed monies,and tongues began
to wag. He then started this huge accusation of fraud against his Deputy,Chief Jude Agbaso, thereby
dividing his own political house.
The accusation turned out to be false,as the man was cleared by EFCC in writing. Rather than resolve the
matter within his party, Chief Okorocha jumped out of APGA, even tried to kill APGA, and jumped into the
APC, expecting Imo to follow him. All attempts to make him reconsider this move failed.
The questions were: Why couldn’t two brothers who wined and dined together just the other day, resolve
their differences in the interest of the people who voted for them, as Governor and Deputy ? What
happened to the televised promise which Chiefs Okorocha and Peter Obi made to Late IkembaNnewi to
keep APGA alive ?
As Owelle Ndigbo at that time,should Okorocha have abandoned APGA which Ndigbo hoped would be
developed as a platform to begin the political reconstruction of the South East? What then was Okorocha’s
plan and vision for Imo State within the Igbo nation and the political arrangement in Nigeria?
If indeed Okorocha’s ambition is to become president, will it be better achieved by destroying the political
base the Igbos were trying to form? Was it wise to be working against GEJ ànd what was the dispute
between GEJ and Okorocha?
Ndigbo has nothing against GEJ to fight him, and they would not betray GEJ, just because others find it
pleasurable to do so. Afterall,Ndigbo have remained marginalised by every president since 1999, and they
know how truly GMB loved them.
However, Okorochacontinued with APC but the voting pattern of Ndigbo in the last election has shown that
he is majorly on a frolic of his own. Having lost the three Senatorial seats in the state, he will need a
miracle to win in this election.
Okorocha started a form of free education for the first time in the history of Imo State, and his love for
school children cannot be disputed or denied.He changed the face of Owerri, built many roads, and
buildings although most of them are just empty and unoccupied, and therefore appear ill conceived and
wasteful. A second term for him,will be a gain for Imo people, as he will consolidate on the land mark
achievements which any man who wants to beat him must improve upon to excel, but Okorocha has made
serious mistakes.
First,Okorocha appears now,more like a Muslim in Christian cassock to Imolites.He preached in the chapel,
but celebrated the conversion of Christians to Islam, such dual religious faithfulness is strange for an Imo
leader, and he is also reported to have Muslim Special Advisers and Aides, showing how deep he has fallen
into the matter.
Second, is the issue of conversion of Imo University in Ogboko to his private university using some unclear
loan from Imo coffers, coupled with his display of wealth, his sprawling private estate, all of which need to
be explained.
Third and most important is his recent loss of love with the Church, led by the Catholic Church. He was
reported to have caused the fracas and confusion that disrupted the Gubernatorial Debate which the
church arranged recently, in Owerri. If GMB managed to become President Elect without attending the
Presidential debate, it is left for Imo people to decide whether such an attitude should be imported and
tolerated in Imo State.
Today,there is no clear direction to what his plans are for agriculture, industry, commerce and job creation
in the state.
Imo people know when to say enough is enough, but no matter what, Okorocha’s tendency towards Islam
has pitched him against the church, and if he does not make amends, it will be too late, as the church in
Imo will not likely be compromised. Okorochaput himself into this situation where all the odds seem to be
against him, but as a Christian, miracles still happen and he might return.
by ROTMANLUV 2023-07-08, 17:34
