The Twenty seven Local Government Areas inImoStateare literally on fire. This followed pockets of resistance exhibited by the incumbent government led by Owelle Rochas Okorocha, after the elected Council Chairmen were directed to go back to office following anAppeal Courtverdict which said Okorocha has no power in the constitution to sack elected officers.
It would be recalled that Okorocha had in June 2011 during his maiden broadcast to Imo people sacked the Council Chairmen and demolished every other policy left behind by his predecessor, Dr Ikedi Ohakim.
He gave twenty four hours to all the appointees in the past regime to return their vehicles and refused paying them their two months salaries, which had already been prepared by the Accountant – General of the State, and till date not paid them their statutory severance allowances.
Following these developments, nearly all the Bodies and Groups who felt that Okorocha treated them unfavourably by denying them their statutory rights headed to the courts, to the extent that since the inception ofImoStatein 1976, Okorocha is the only Governor with over twenty litigations instituted against him by his fellow Imo Citizens. Not political litigations, but for their welfare and economic survival.
Many Imo citizens are surprised today with the developments in the state as regards Okorocha between the citizens, as it is clear contrast to what many expected from him following his campaign languages which bordered on “My people” slogan, which led a lot of Imo citizens have sympathy for Okorocha believing that the state has found a man who would act as a statesman, by carrying all the people along, despite party leanings or group affiliations. But reverse has turned out to be the case.
Immediately after the supplementary election of April 2011 which declared Okorocha Governor – elect ofImoState, many people trooped out to receive the news.
The out – going Governor, Dr Ikedi Ohakim summoned his Media Team and ordered that a release be made that he has accepted defeat and that he was not ready to challenge the election in court. And he implored other candidates to do like wise, so that Okorocha would not be distracted, just as he was for four years with over thirty litigations.
The next day he summoned a meeting of the State Expanded – Exco where he told all members of the Executive to accept the result, and were free to render help to his successor, Okorocha, if such help were sought by Okorocha.
Though the general opinion from Exco – members and PDP was that Ohakim was hasty in accepting defeat, but he stuck to his gun. Their argument was that they knew the in – coming Governor too well and that he cannot be trusted to quietly assume office without seeking a pound of flesh, even from imaginary enemies.
This proved to be true, as after a few days, Okorocha’s Chief of Staff, Prince Eze Madumere, issued a directive to all Banks husbanding Imo State Accounts to freeze them, with a letter – headed paper, with the inscription of the “Office of the Governor – elect” located at Wetheral Road Owerri.
This was the first shock to Ikedi Ohakim, as he used his personal funds to run the government from that day till he left office. At a point, there was not even diesel to power generators in Government House. Ohakim had to vacate the Government House for his private House in Owerri, from where he ran the office for the remaining days he was in office.
While Okorocha chose early in the day to go after his successor was not clear to anybody. The reason being that though Ohakim may have planned against Okorocha as part of campaign strategies, but the main focus and unleashing of tactics was more directed against Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, of the ACN, whom Ohakim’s strategists saw as a more dangerous candidate than Okorocha.
Ohakim gave Okorocha free hand during the campaigns, including the use of all manners of verbal attacks, though he was refused Dan Anyiam stadium as part of Ohakim’s own strategy. Which is generally done in most part ofNigeria, by sitting Executives. Mimiko of Labour Party is doing same to ACN inOndoStatejust now.
If Ohakim had any animosity against Okorocha to the extent of “dealing” with him, the opportunity presented itself the day Ikedi Ohakim was rounding off his campaign at Dan Anyiam stadium.
That day Okorocha’s supporters converged at Okigwe/ Wetheral Roads roundabout, near the Government House.
Immediately, the Governor’s convoy got at the spot, Owelle’s supporters went wild and started stoning Ohakim’s convoy, with the full presence of security men armed to the tooth. Not a single shot was fired, as Ikedi begged his Chief Security officer CSO, not to allow any shot to be heard.
And unfortunately for the stone – throwing mob, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the former President, whose words were still law in Nigeria, was sitting beside Ikedi Ohakim, and not only saw the whole embarrassment on the sitting Governor, but dodged some of the weapons thrown by these APGA supporters, in full regalia of their party vests.
To avoid casualty of Imo citizens, when Ohakim learnt that the mob was still at the spot, with his security details threatening hell should their principal be so “insulted” on return journey home, Ohakim directed that the convoy should take Nekede road, through Akanchawa throughOnitsharoad via the Government House back gate, located at Orlu road.
If Ohakim wanted to use the Akpabio and Udeedenhe method inAkwaIbomStatehe would have done it, since Obasanjo was a witness to the assault. But he told all those advising a stiff reprisal to the APGA assault that he would not want any Imo citizen to lose his life because he wants to remain in office.
The same Okorocha after being sworn – in sacked all the Local Government Chairmen, haunted and hunted Ohakim’s appointees, sacked 10 thousand Imo youths, demolished the development centers etc.
I want to state here that every Governor has his own style and has the right to make a decision for his government, but that should be done under the rule of law. A Governor should also exhibit statesmanship and moral sympathy to all the citizens.
It is said that after every election, be it that of Student Union, Labour Union, State, Nation or even International Organizations, whoever emerges as the winner most throw away vengeance and witch hunting against members, but should embrace all, and even try to woo those who worked against him or her, in order to carry every body along.
But in the case of Owelle Rochas Okorocha, since May 29, 2011 he assumed office, he has been acting as if he is angry with a section of Imo citizens, when his position as Governor has placed him as the father off all Imo people, whether you are of APGA, CPC, PDP etc. Whether you are from Orlu, Obowo, Ngor Okpala etc.
I believe that, despite what a candidate must have seen during the campaigns, the mere fact that she/he in the end got the coveted trophy is enough to calm the fellow, no matter the grievances held against perceived enemies.
Do you know what it means to be a Governor of the state? All the lands, trees, waters including the citizens are under your control, though in trust of the people. Government is like a Big cattle.
The Tozo and Canda alone is enough. Have you thought of the stomach, head, neck, Nkwonazu, towel and these parts would be enough to keep you concentrated for four years, to the extent that it looks like you having a bakery, and still be disturbing your self with the woman who fry Akara by the road side.
I still believe that Okorocha should not have thrown away the bath water with the baby, by in a fit of anger dissolving all that his predecessor left behind, including sacking the elected Council Chairmen.
I swear, had Gov Okorocha allowed the Council Chairmen to remain in office, by now many of them would have been more APGA than late Emeka Ojukwu who founded the party. Our politicians, including the followers are gullible. There is poverty in the land, and what the Governor needed to do was to use the Council allocation to whip the Council Chairmen and the Councilors into line, who would have also spoken to their followers in the grass roots, and that ends PDP dominance in Imo.
When Ohakim became Governor in 2009, he had only one member of PPA in the Imo House of Assembly. But he “worked” with the rest 26 for two years, until he went back to PDP. He never bothered to coarse them to join PPA.
He paid – off all commissioners and other appointees who worked under his predecessors, Udenwa and asked them to go home with their vehicles. Because they served Imo State not Udenwa.
Ohakim paid all the arrears owed all council Chairmen, Councilors and Supervisory Councilors who served Imo before he emerged as Governor. This action calmed the political group in the State and reduced his enemies. If he got thirty litigations while in office for four years, imagine what would have happened if these politicians were not “settled”?
But in the case of Okorocha, he is showing antagonism towards all the politicians who worked under Ohakim.
Rather than curry their favours by paying them their statutory allowances, including their two months salaries, he is still breathing over their heads. Under such scenario how do you want them to relate with you and your administration?. This is after their principal paid off those he inherited from Achike Udenwa.
This attitude by the incumbent Governor is the height of unstatesmanship. It does not comply with the Nigerian constitution which said all elected officers should treat all manners of citizens equal.
If Okorocha has grouse to grind with his predecessor, that is their business, it has nothing to do with Imo citizens who left their jobs to come and serve the State many of them did not even know Okorocha before. They did not serve Ohakim just like Okorocha’s appointees are not serving him but Imo.
Our leaders should learn to grow above some mundane and petty actions which diminishes their offices as the shield of the oppressed in the society.
Okorocha still has three years more in office, but he should learn from those actions that pitted his predecessors against the people.
There is a difference between leaders and rulers. Leaders lead the people and they follow. And this is by their actions, which endears them to the heart of the people. Gov Oshiomole of Edo state has shown that, and that was whyEdopeople were ready to commit suicide for him last Saturday. Okorocha had that same aura in 2011 before he became Governor. But the scenario is gradually changing, by his method of looking at governance as a game of revenge.
Rulers lord it over the people, whether they like or not. Ohakim may have been bad, yet he retained all the appointees from Udenwa till he left government. Dr Alex Obi’s wife was a Special Adviser, even as Obi was in court with Ohakim. The State Accountant – General who was appointed by Ohakim remained there for four years.
I don’t know what else Okorocha wants. He wanted Imo, and the people gave it to him. What else? Why distract himself with petty issues? Gather all Imo people together, no body is questioning your status as the number one citizen. The ball is in your court. Carry everybody along. TheAppeal Courthas asked the Council Chairmen back to office. Rather than be confrontational to the authorities or questioning the power of Judiciary which put Okorocha in office with its affirmation at the Supreme Court last year, he should accept these chairmen and “work” on them. They are Imo citizens.
Who knows what will happen tomorrow. It is only God who has the power of accurate clairvoyance.
Sooner than later, Okorocha will realize that those of us seen as antagonists are his best friends. Ask Ikedi Ohakim today, he will tell you. Experience is the best teacher.
