In The Spotlight
The governorship and House Assembly elections held on Saturday 9th March, 2019 have not been concluded three days after the elections. While the governorship elections results are not yet known or released as at the time of this publication that of the Imo House of Assembly has been released with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in a comfortable lead. The two last editions of the Discourse Column titled: 9th March elections: Questions INEC & Security Agencies must answer; 5th March 2019 and 8th March 2019 edition with 9 March guber & IMHA elections Imperative & Collective to liberate Imo are apt to ensure the elections should be free, fair and credible and candidates with powerful pedigree, ingenuity and credibility are voted into office. Those write-ups emphasized that INEC and security agencies should maintain integrity, neutrality and above-board to enable Imo electorate exercise their franchise without fear, intimidation and vote buying.
Unfortunately the result of the guber election is being delayed makes room for distortion and manipulation. The elections were acrimonious with shooting, maiming and snatching of ballot boxes admitted to have over-whelmed the election.
Who were those parading security agencies, armed to the teeth, setting property owned by the government or individuals ablaze? Which of the political party in Imo State often guilty of this crime? In doing justice to these issues, delaying the declaration of the actual winner of the guber candidate is suspicious. If the situation is so bad in the last four years, what was it like in 2015? The Discourse Column of the Nigeria Moment edition of 11-12, 2015 titled: Is Imo State at war? This is germane as history is repeating itself four years after. The edition is worth reproducing and comparing with the 9th March, 2019 gubernatorial and State House of Assembly elections.
“The way Imo State is going is a source of concern to anybody conscious of what the state used to be.
In the South East zone, Imo State is an envy, a pace-setter to other states. It has its outstanding attributes. It has a large quantity of men and women who have excelled in their various professions from the three zones; Owerri, Okigwe and Orlu.
Those three zones work together, share things equitably well, in business, academics and entertainment industry. The state boosts of individuals who can compete with their cotemporaries outside Imo, Nigeria.
But unfortunately and particularly now, Imo State has suddenly found itself in a sorry state. Politics is now practiced do or die. The airwave especially that of Imo Broadcasting Corporation, IBC is now a theater of war with unwholesome and destructive attacks unleashed on innocent Imolites, distinguished personalities all aimed at discrediting other candidates who are legitimately qualified with the incumbent Governor Rochas Okorocha. The radio station is a political arm of APC that has systematically stifled the voice of the opposition.
Even though the station claims to comply with the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, to give equal opportunities to other parties to air their political jingles, adverts and programs, Barr. Ifeanyi Olumba, the Chairman of IBC and the Director General of IBC, Mrs. Esther Obong Egbuna have paid lip-service of NBC directives. There are also other viciously working against the interest of the opposition. IBC has been so partisan that the likes of Ihedioha, Ihenacho and others cannot be availed the services of our collective heritage, IBC. Either Bb Njemanze is on the station, Paddy Obinna, Barr. Ifeanyi Olumba, the Transition Committee Chairman of Okigwe LGA, the Commissioner for information and Strategy, Enger. Chidi Ibe, recycling one issue and that is that Imo State will go down if Okorocha is voted out and that is why other candidates are painted criminals especially the PDP candidates, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha. Unfortunately, the more they create the impression that Okorocha is a saint, indispensable, the more Imolites decode their insincerity and bad faith.
Today, a governor that rose to power a poor man is now a multi billionaire, ironically impoverishing majority of Imolits. Governor Okorocha is his words has declared prominent Imo sons and daughters his enemies, for no other crime than condemning Okorocha's impunity, rascality, arrogance and criminality. Okorocha is now a saint while Achike Udenwa, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanuanwu, Arthur Nzeribe, Mrs. Viola Onuwuliri, Emeka Ihedioha and others too numerous to mention are common criminals.
We saw this long time ago. I had written a piece in this column of Nigeria Moment edition 23-25 January, 2015 titled: Is Hon. Ihedioha Governor Okrocha's nemesis?
In that publication, I stated interlia “Ihedioha's emergence sends one signal that PDP is irreversibly committed to the restoration of Charter of Equity thus, sending alarm that PDP declares Governor Anayo Okorocha persona-non-grata in Douglas House in the coming dispensation. Since then, Governor Okorocha has been unleashing venom, increasing his dangerous campaign to thwart the ambition of the PDP candidate whose rising profile is piercing the nook and cranny of the state even without media hype.
Propaganda has a transient victory when not confronted immediately by facts. Propaganda does not withstand facts and figures. Facts and truths remain ever green, overwhelm propaganda. For three years and we have been fed on half truth and propaganda. But recently, the governorship candidate of PDP, came out with a mind boggling allegation that Rochas Okorocha has destroyed the local government system by mismanaging the monthly federal allocations to the 27 councils.
According to Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, Okorocha has misused three hundred billion naira (N300b) allocations to the councils since the inception of Rochas' administration. Emeka is not somebody associated with blackmail. He is not a loud mouth. When he speaks, he speaks with facts.
I have previously written about ravaging poverty, hunger and hardship deliberately inflicted on the people by the same Rescue Mission that promised at its inception to eradicate poverty it claimed was spread by Ohakim. As I am writing, majority of Imolites including pensioners, civil servants, contractors and traders are nagging, gnashing their teeth, dying in the face of jumbo allocations to the councils and the state government. the local government administration has crumbled yet one man keeps posting us with changing tactics that industries he could not built, rehabilitate old one, will be build if he is re-elected.
From Ihedioha's revelation, Owerri North received N5,103,710,965.71 from the federation account in the past three and half years under Governor Rochas Anayo Okorocha.
For the avoidance of doubt, Owerri North is made up of Emii, Emekuku, Awaka, Ihitte, Egbu, Uratta, Amakohia, Akwakwuma, Naze, Obibiezena, Agbala and Ulakwo. This issue of local government allocations must be addressed holistically, transparently and convincingly. In answering this allegation, the question is, did Rochas receive N300b or not? The answer does not need a double speak. The answer Imolities expect is yes or no, point blank. How the figure was expended on structures, infrastructures and lives of local government workers in these councils? As a matter of fact, the councils have not risen beyond what they were before Okorocha came in.
If it is true that the allocations in Owerri North were as reviewed, the governor worked against the development of the communities in the councils. What if the situation that N5b was invested in Owerri North Council? Every community in the council would have been entitled to one tarred road markets of national standards, portable water etc. Mbaoma Autonomous Community wouldn't have been parading forty-five years after the civil war, a primary school, community School Emii, a structure as a classroom block and a sad reminder of the Nigeria civil war. On a large scale, if N300b was truly acknowledged and used judiciously, the 27 councils would have been huge construction sites.
It is surprising that the bane of the councils is the use of the joint account arrangement. We can also see the consequences of lack of due process, CGC contraption to rip off and weaken the local government councils.
To the eagle-eyed imolites. Governor Okorocha is not as holy as he demonstrated in 2011. Slowly but surely, majority of uninformed Imolites will come to understand the antics of the governor who has betrayed the confidence reposed in him by Imolites. The most deceit by unholy alliance with APC is to drag Imolites and Igbos into a party whose agenda is clearly against the Igbos. The free education is a charade to milk Imo resources dry. Contracts are given to his family, friends and Hausas at the expense of genuine contractors. Already, Imolites are closing on him despite millions of naira expended on media hype. Building a chapel at the Government House does not translate to godliness. If actually he is a Christian as he claims, why did Okorocha shun the debate organized by Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Imo State chapter? Has he forgotten that it was similar organized debate that shot Rochas to victory in 2011 but rather Okorocha decided to attend a miniature stage-managed debate organized at the Imo State University, Owerri where questions that could stir up eye-opening issues were not asked? Imolites are on red alert, ready to effect the change of their expectation.” Ended
That the gubernatorial that took place on Saturday, expected that results, collations and declaration of result would take place on Sunday 10th is still unannounced and not concluded Monday 11th March is unfortunate. Results of gubernatorial elections in Abia, Ebonyi and Enugu states declared is a relief, joy and ecstasy for the citizens of these states and Imo state should not be an exception.
What is being witnessed are incidents of arson, shoot-outs, ballot box snatching, killings and alleged deployment of unformed security agencies to subvert the popular choice. Why is Imo State bedeviled with bad news, negative stories during elections?
Some argue that this ugly situation is a product of desperation and manipulation because governor Okorocha is not getting it right. That he does not consider or see it right to groom a successor from another zone – Owerri, the Charter equity favours is injustice. It is at the root of his ignominy and Imolites collectively are determined to resist his imposition of his son-in-law. INEC is advised in the interest of the people to release the result of the governorship election to defuse, relax the tension, anxiety and uncertainty in the horizon in Imo State.
Sydney O. Madukwem, guest writer, Dile Emeohe Mbaoma, Emii, Owerri North L/G
The 2019 general elections are gradually coming to an end with its political brouhaha, but my worry is the quantum of disappointments, sabotaging and discouraging results associated with the elections. The results are what I may refer to as the “outcome of the polls”. On this piece, my concentration relies most where it affects the outgoing governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha on his political permutations. One believes that the governor must have revisited his political family in order to determine his next route and line of actions.
With what is on ground, I'm convinced that leaders of Okorocha's caliber must be learning big lessons from the governor's good or ugly experience and encounter. I became somehow confused midway on the accumulation of venoms spilt on the governor because he routed for another Orlu son and his son-inlaw, Uche Nwosu to succeed him, Even when he is not the only Orlu zone man contesting the gubernatorial slot. The like of Senator Hope Uzodinma was still in the race. As God may have it, my confusion was doused Saturday afternoon when the collation of results began and I discovered that the other Orlu man running for the same governorship position on the platform of APC, Sen. Hope Uzodinma was missing in the balloting arrangements.
The interest of the majority of the people was solely on Owerri zone to produce the governor no matter how. The results showed that the APC and its co-travelers in the contests were visited with outright rejection and apathy. They were paid in their own coin. Votes allotted to AA and APC were so insignificant that it cannot deliver anyone in a mere ward councillorship election, when it was glare that both AA and APC are all in power at various levels. So the outcome is reflections of the people's will which is outright rejection of familiocracy.
Again, a cursory look at the results indicated that the outgoing governor had lost his followers. What were thronging at various rallies were fakes or rented crowds, otherwise, the margin at which Uche Nwosu would have won the election ought to have been outrageous. Is it the 63 man member per booth, members of the Ugbo Nneoma group, CGC and many other support groups? What about the councilors and appointees, where are they. So the governor must by now know that something is wrong somewhere. The hand is that of Jacob but voice of Esau.
Nevertheless, the struggle on who succeeds Rochas is taking a different dimension. The polling units' responses as been reeled out were clear confirmations of the 2011 tsunami that swallowed the then governor, Dr. Ikedi Ohakim and brought the same Rochas Okorocha to power during. That which befell Ohakim in 20111 then and made him gloomy and turned Rochas a victorious and smiling governor, had toady became his lot. The same story is been told of Rochas and Uche Nwosu. The difference in the case of Ohakim as it affects the mass rejection was that his appointee remained steadfast till they sunk, unlike in the case of Rochas where his allies and privies deserted him even earlier than expected. The worst was that those who managed the campaigns and handled the election plannings all dumped him for new found, including the councilors and Directors he made and aided financially. Today Rochas will understand the style of Imo politics. It's not winner takes all at all times. It is clear that this drums of war rolled out at the streets of Imo were first called up by his personal aides to show that the inner chambers were not in order. At the polls, where Rochas released N250, 000 per booth for the governorship poll, the acclaimed leaders and councilors in their various areas deducted N150, 000 and gave out to party canvassers and agents N100, 000 and warned them not to say it out or they will be dealt with thereafter.
This was outside the N1m intervention per ward. This is what the appointees were doing before now, painting the governor black and made him look stingy. The problem is that he met wrong persons and he never considered other people's opinion. Who said the governor did not try for Uche and his party, but those he entrusted the campaign in their hands betrayed and sabotaged the confidence reposed in them. “A mockery of democratic tenet”. The essence of hoarding the amounts was to ensure that AA and other Uche Nwosu supporters were clipped and hoodwinked. The picture is now obvious to Rochas that his personal aspiration will not prevail on the generality of the people without their consent even in his inner most room.
According to Plato in his metaphoric and poetic way of expressing higher reality, he told a story about Er, a warrior who came back to life on the funeral pyre, after having been believed dead. Er according to Plato, was said to have seen many things in the afterlife, but he was told that he must return to physical life to tell others what death is like.
The story continues that just before he returned, he saw souls which were being prepared to be born into the physical life. They all journeyed to the Plain of Oblivion, through terrible and stifling heat, for according to Plato, “It was bare of trees and all plants, and there they camped at eventide by the River of Forgetfulness, whose waters no vessel can contain.” In accordance to the keeping of the internal cosmic laws, all the souls coming to the physical were all required to drink a measure of the water, and those who were not saved by their good sense drank more than the measure and each one as he drank forgot all things.
At a time, the souls fell asleep and at the middle of the night, there was a sound of thunder and a quaking of the earth and the souls were set upward to their birth like shooting stars. Er himself according to Plato was not allowed to drink of the water, yet how and in what way he returned to the body he said he did not know, but suddenly recovering his sight he saw himself at dawn lying on the funeral pyre.
Following the above, the major theme here is that before returning to life either through reincarnation or otherwise a certain kind “forgetting” of knowledge one has in the eternal state must take place. This philosophy is shared among esoteric scholars of different organizations; this however is not my major concern here but I want to emphasize that those who were not saved by their good sense, who drank more than the required measure are prone to more forgetfulness than those who were guided by their good sense.
If they are born into the physical realm of human consciousness, they fall into the group that could be regarded as mediocre. They are the ones who if by one way or the other favored by the wind of change to occupy any elected position, must fulfill the principles of their karmic records by obeying the voice of mediocrity as was contained in the water of forgetfulness in the realm beyond
I may sound as a determinist philosopher who I may not be, but the truth is that people have their destinies and must fulfill them whether they are aware of them or not. In the words of Homer, “No man of woman born, coward or brave, can shun his destiny.” Yes, no one can shun his destiny, not even a mediocre who will later allow the masses to determine his happiness. No degree of mystical incantations at any roundabout and knowledge attainable by man will be able to set him above the decree contained in the water of forgetfulness which has hitherto determined his future.
I know I will die one day, but I am not afraid of death now because I am alive in HIM in other to speak the truth to humanity. I wish to inform my readers however that a mediocre is a naïve person, one who is often very loud, over confident and small-minded who on the other hand, may not realize his deficiencies while over praising his works. The mediocre small-mindedness is very conspicuous and unless he is made to realize it politely, he will cast his unconditional wrath on whoever lampoons and criticizes him.
It becomes very difficult to correct a mediocre as a result of his low political leadership quality, the Shakespearean admonition, “Speak low, if you speak love” does not make any logical meaning in the working encyclopedia of a mediocre hence he sits very complacently on a serious issue of state or national interest and ends up personalizing it.
A mediocre is always rash and abrasive and can easily be faulted when it comes to exerting true leadership qualities and being focused on life-impacting projects. A mediocre sense of judgment is usually hampered by his obvious limitations as he is usually loquacious always meaning “B” when he says “A”. He is always on a defensive and unaccommodating side in so far as it projects and favors his noxious and illicit ambition in enmeshing wealth.
A mediocre is known for jumping from one political party to another and may not be bordered on how he spends states money on his personal and selfish interest while the led are dying of hunger. The youths are neglected and denied of their job opportunities in their homeland while money circulate only around them and their family member together with few friends
Any government that does not have the interest of the poor masses at heart is led by a mediocre. I saw this mediocre coming years ago, and I kept shouting but nobody listened to me. Today we see them making very phony and prosaic remark on their puny economic policies which have given many food for thought. Some, both at the state and federal levels sing his glory as a result consolidating the hell fire we have seen.
A mediocre leader does not want to initiate new policies and even when he does; it must be hampered by his limitations thereby foreclosing the possibility of growth or progress. To a mediocre, progress is always adjusted to suit his limited horizon; this makes it easy for him to paint pictures of his puny deeds in a large and voluminous book in order to inform the world that business is fine while the poor masses in his state are dying of hunger occasioned by unemployment and bad governance.
A mediocre lacks the proper knowledge required for the effective usage and management of both human and material resources. The utilization of human resources constantly confuses the mediocre to the extent that any bright and brilliant person is a threat to his position and authority. Any constructive criticism is an invitation to intimidation and threat which he uses his executive office to issue. He will always use his office to persecute and frustrate the people under him.
Greatness to a mediocre is all about looting both the state and the local government treasury in as much as his selfish interest is satisfied. A mediocre chief executive works to impoverish others and mislead them. He does not obey court ruling; he is unjust and reacts to opposition the way Pentecostal deliverance Pastors react to demons. His distorted approach to the issues of justice makes him a bully. In the words of Thomas Aquinas, “Justice means rendering to each one his right.” St. Isidore on the other hand infers that “A man is said to be just because he respects the rights of others.” The administration of a mediocre does not have respect for the rights of others. This is absolute moral evil and we don't need such a leader again in Imo and beyond.
Christian Ogbuagbu, returning officer for Imo state elections, yesterday Monday ordered for the arrest of Christian Ehirim, the collation officer of Ohaji Egbema local government area (LGA), for allegedly altering the results of the LGA.
Ogbuagbu, who apparently had the results from the field, announced that the figures Ehirim presented were doctored. Immediately he gave the order, security operatives moved in and led Ehirim away. Ogbuagbu, a professor, is the vice chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia state while Ehirim is also a professor.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship candidate in Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, has taken the lead in the results from the 11 local government areas so far declared.
The former deputy speaker, House of Representatives, is leading other candidates with over 70,000 votes, having polled 128,732 votes.
His closest rival, Uche Nwosu of Action Alliance, had so far scored 66,852 followed by Senator Ifeanyi Ararume of the All Progressives Congress Grand Alliance who scored 37,107. The All Progressives Congress candidate, Senator Hope Uzodimma has polled 27,331 while the Accord Party candidate, Ihedi Ohakim scored 2,047.
The result declaration was disrupted at 5 am this morning by the PDP agent, Uche Onyeagocha, the Special Adviser to Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State on Electoral Matters, Steve Asinobi, and his associate, Paschal Onwukaike. Their action followed the opposition of the PDP agent to the declaration of the results for Ideato South Local Government Area.
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The governorship and House Assembly elections held on Saturday 9th March, 2019 have not been concluded three days after the elections. While the governorship elections results are not yet known or released as at the time of this publication that of the Imo House of Assembly has been released with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in a comfortable lead. The two last editions of the Discourse Column titled: 9th March elections: Questions INEC & Security Agencies must answer; 5th March 2019 and 8th March 2019 edition with 9 March guber & IMHA elections Imperative & Collective to liberate Imo are apt to ensure the elections should be free, fair and credible and candidates with powerful pedigree, ingenuity and credibility are voted into office. Those write-ups emphasized that INEC and security agencies should maintain integrity, neutrality and above-board to enable Imo electorate exercise their franchise without fear, intimidation and vote buying.
Unfortunately the result of the guber election is being delayed makes room for distortion and manipulation. The elections were acrimonious with shooting, maiming and snatching of ballot boxes admitted to have over-whelmed the election.
Who were those parading security agencies, armed to the teeth, setting property owned by the government or individuals ablaze? Which of the political party in Imo State often guilty of this crime? In doing justice to these issues, delaying the declaration of the actual winner of the guber candidate is suspicious. If the situation is so bad in the last four years, what was it like in 2015? The Discourse Column of the Nigeria Moment edition of 11-12, 2015 titled: Is Imo State at war? This is germane as history is repeating itself four years after. The edition is worth reproducing and comparing with the 9th March, 2019 gubernatorial and State House of Assembly elections.
“The way Imo State is going is a source of concern to anybody conscious of what the state used to be.
In the South East zone, Imo State is an envy, a pace-setter to other states. It has its outstanding attributes. It has a large quantity of men and women who have excelled in their various professions from the three zones; Owerri, Okigwe and Orlu.
Those three zones work together, share things equitably well, in business, academics and entertainment industry. The state boosts of individuals who can compete with their cotemporaries outside Imo, Nigeria.
But unfortunately and particularly now, Imo State has suddenly found itself in a sorry state. Politics is now practiced do or die. The airwave especially that of Imo Broadcasting Corporation, IBC is now a theater of war with unwholesome and destructive attacks unleashed on innocent Imolites, distinguished personalities all aimed at discrediting other candidates who are legitimately qualified with the incumbent Governor Rochas Okorocha. The radio station is a political arm of APC that has systematically stifled the voice of the opposition.
Even though the station claims to comply with the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, to give equal opportunities to other parties to air their political jingles, adverts and programs, Barr. Ifeanyi Olumba, the Chairman of IBC and the Director General of IBC, Mrs. Esther Obong Egbuna have paid lip-service of NBC directives. There are also other viciously working against the interest of the opposition. IBC has been so partisan that the likes of Ihedioha, Ihenacho and others cannot be availed the services of our collective heritage, IBC. Either Bb Njemanze is on the station, Paddy Obinna, Barr. Ifeanyi Olumba, the Transition Committee Chairman of Okigwe LGA, the Commissioner for information and Strategy, Enger. Chidi Ibe, recycling one issue and that is that Imo State will go down if Okorocha is voted out and that is why other candidates are painted criminals especially the PDP candidates, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha. Unfortunately, the more they create the impression that Okorocha is a saint, indispensable, the more Imolites decode their insincerity and bad faith.
Today, a governor that rose to power a poor man is now a multi billionaire, ironically impoverishing majority of Imolits. Governor Okorocha is his words has declared prominent Imo sons and daughters his enemies, for no other crime than condemning Okorocha's impunity, rascality, arrogance and criminality. Okorocha is now a saint while Achike Udenwa, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanuanwu, Arthur Nzeribe, Mrs. Viola Onuwuliri, Emeka Ihedioha and others too numerous to mention are common criminals.
We saw this long time ago. I had written a piece in this column of Nigeria Moment edition 23-25 January, 2015 titled: Is Hon. Ihedioha Governor Okrocha's nemesis?
In that publication, I stated interlia “Ihedioha's emergence sends one signal that PDP is irreversibly committed to the restoration of Charter of Equity thus, sending alarm that PDP declares Governor Anayo Okorocha persona-non-grata in Douglas House in the coming dispensation. Since then, Governor Okorocha has been unleashing venom, increasing his dangerous campaign to thwart the ambition of the PDP candidate whose rising profile is piercing the nook and cranny of the state even without media hype.
Propaganda has a transient victory when not confronted immediately by facts. Propaganda does not withstand facts and figures. Facts and truths remain ever green, overwhelm propaganda. For three years and we have been fed on half truth and propaganda. But recently, the governorship candidate of PDP, came out with a mind boggling allegation that Rochas Okorocha has destroyed the local government system by mismanaging the monthly federal allocations to the 27 councils.
According to Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, Okorocha has misused three hundred billion naira (N300b) allocations to the councils since the inception of Rochas' administration. Emeka is not somebody associated with blackmail. He is not a loud mouth. When he speaks, he speaks with facts.
I have previously written about ravaging poverty, hunger and hardship deliberately inflicted on the people by the same Rescue Mission that promised at its inception to eradicate poverty it claimed was spread by Ohakim. As I am writing, majority of Imolites including pensioners, civil servants, contractors and traders are nagging, gnashing their teeth, dying in the face of jumbo allocations to the councils and the state government. the local government administration has crumbled yet one man keeps posting us with changing tactics that industries he could not built, rehabilitate old one, will be build if he is re-elected.
From Ihedioha's revelation, Owerri North received N5,103,710,965.71 from the federation account in the past three and half years under Governor Rochas Anayo Okorocha.
For the avoidance of doubt, Owerri North is made up of Emii, Emekuku, Awaka, Ihitte, Egbu, Uratta, Amakohia, Akwakwuma, Naze, Obibiezena, Agbala and Ulakwo. This issue of local government allocations must be addressed holistically, transparently and convincingly. In answering this allegation, the question is, did Rochas receive N300b or not? The answer does not need a double speak. The answer Imolities expect is yes or no, point blank. How the figure was expended on structures, infrastructures and lives of local government workers in these councils? As a matter of fact, the councils have not risen beyond what they were before Okorocha came in.
If it is true that the allocations in Owerri North were as reviewed, the governor worked against the development of the communities in the councils. What if the situation that N5b was invested in Owerri North Council? Every community in the council would have been entitled to one tarred road markets of national standards, portable water etc. Mbaoma Autonomous Community wouldn't have been parading forty-five years after the civil war, a primary school, community School Emii, a structure as a classroom block and a sad reminder of the Nigeria civil war. On a large scale, if N300b was truly acknowledged and used judiciously, the 27 councils would have been huge construction sites.
It is surprising that the bane of the councils is the use of the joint account arrangement. We can also see the consequences of lack of due process, CGC contraption to rip off and weaken the local government councils.
To the eagle-eyed imolites. Governor Okorocha is not as holy as he demonstrated in 2011. Slowly but surely, majority of uninformed Imolites will come to understand the antics of the governor who has betrayed the confidence reposed in him by Imolites. The most deceit by unholy alliance with APC is to drag Imolites and Igbos into a party whose agenda is clearly against the Igbos. The free education is a charade to milk Imo resources dry. Contracts are given to his family, friends and Hausas at the expense of genuine contractors. Already, Imolites are closing on him despite millions of naira expended on media hype. Building a chapel at the Government House does not translate to godliness. If actually he is a Christian as he claims, why did Okorocha shun the debate organized by Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Imo State chapter? Has he forgotten that it was similar organized debate that shot Rochas to victory in 2011 but rather Okorocha decided to attend a miniature stage-managed debate organized at the Imo State University, Owerri where questions that could stir up eye-opening issues were not asked? Imolites are on red alert, ready to effect the change of their expectation.” Ended
That the gubernatorial that took place on Saturday, expected that results, collations and declaration of result would take place on Sunday 10th is still unannounced and not concluded Monday 11th March is unfortunate. Results of gubernatorial elections in Abia, Ebonyi and Enugu states declared is a relief, joy and ecstasy for the citizens of these states and Imo state should not be an exception.
What is being witnessed are incidents of arson, shoot-outs, ballot box snatching, killings and alleged deployment of unformed security agencies to subvert the popular choice. Why is Imo State bedeviled with bad news, negative stories during elections?
Some argue that this ugly situation is a product of desperation and manipulation because governor Okorocha is not getting it right. That he does not consider or see it right to groom a successor from another zone – Owerri, the Charter equity favours is injustice. It is at the root of his ignominy and Imolites collectively are determined to resist his imposition of his son-in-law. INEC is advised in the interest of the people to release the result of the governorship election to defuse, relax the tension, anxiety and uncertainty in the horizon in Imo State.
Sydney O. Madukwem, guest writer, Dile Emeohe Mbaoma, Emii, Owerri North L/G
The 2019 general elections are gradually coming to an end with its political brouhaha, but my worry is the quantum of disappointments, sabotaging and discouraging results associated with the elections. The results are what I may refer to as the “outcome of the polls”. On this piece, my concentration relies most where it affects the outgoing governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha on his political permutations. One believes that the governor must have revisited his political family in order to determine his next route and line of actions.
With what is on ground, I'm convinced that leaders of Okorocha's caliber must be learning big lessons from the governor's good or ugly experience and encounter. I became somehow confused midway on the accumulation of venoms spilt on the governor because he routed for another Orlu son and his son-inlaw, Uche Nwosu to succeed him, Even when he is not the only Orlu zone man contesting the gubernatorial slot. The like of Senator Hope Uzodinma was still in the race. As God may have it, my confusion was doused Saturday afternoon when the collation of results began and I discovered that the other Orlu man running for the same governorship position on the platform of APC, Sen. Hope Uzodinma was missing in the balloting arrangements.
The interest of the majority of the people was solely on Owerri zone to produce the governor no matter how. The results showed that the APC and its co-travelers in the contests were visited with outright rejection and apathy. They were paid in their own coin. Votes allotted to AA and APC were so insignificant that it cannot deliver anyone in a mere ward councillorship election, when it was glare that both AA and APC are all in power at various levels. So the outcome is reflections of the people's will which is outright rejection of familiocracy.
Again, a cursory look at the results indicated that the outgoing governor had lost his followers. What were thronging at various rallies were fakes or rented crowds, otherwise, the margin at which Uche Nwosu would have won the election ought to have been outrageous. Is it the 63 man member per booth, members of the Ugbo Nneoma group, CGC and many other support groups? What about the councilors and appointees, where are they. So the governor must by now know that something is wrong somewhere. The hand is that of Jacob but voice of Esau.
Nevertheless, the struggle on who succeeds Rochas is taking a different dimension. The polling units' responses as been reeled out were clear confirmations of the 2011 tsunami that swallowed the then governor, Dr. Ikedi Ohakim and brought the same Rochas Okorocha to power during. That which befell Ohakim in 20111 then and made him gloomy and turned Rochas a victorious and smiling governor, had toady became his lot. The same story is been told of Rochas and Uche Nwosu. The difference in the case of Ohakim as it affects the mass rejection was that his appointee remained steadfast till they sunk, unlike in the case of Rochas where his allies and privies deserted him even earlier than expected. The worst was that those who managed the campaigns and handled the election plannings all dumped him for new found, including the councilors and Directors he made and aided financially. Today Rochas will understand the style of Imo politics. It's not winner takes all at all times. It is clear that this drums of war rolled out at the streets of Imo were first called up by his personal aides to show that the inner chambers were not in order. At the polls, where Rochas released N250, 000 per booth for the governorship poll, the acclaimed leaders and councilors in their various areas deducted N150, 000 and gave out to party canvassers and agents N100, 000 and warned them not to say it out or they will be dealt with thereafter.
This was outside the N1m intervention per ward. This is what the appointees were doing before now, painting the governor black and made him look stingy. The problem is that he met wrong persons and he never considered other people's opinion. Who said the governor did not try for Uche and his party, but those he entrusted the campaign in their hands betrayed and sabotaged the confidence reposed in them. “A mockery of democratic tenet”. The essence of hoarding the amounts was to ensure that AA and other Uche Nwosu supporters were clipped and hoodwinked. The picture is now obvious to Rochas that his personal aspiration will not prevail on the generality of the people without their consent even in his inner most room.
According to Plato in his metaphoric and poetic way of expressing higher reality, he told a story about Er, a warrior who came back to life on the funeral pyre, after having been believed dead. Er according to Plato, was said to have seen many things in the afterlife, but he was told that he must return to physical life to tell others what death is like.
The story continues that just before he returned, he saw souls which were being prepared to be born into the physical life. They all journeyed to the Plain of Oblivion, through terrible and stifling heat, for according to Plato, “It was bare of trees and all plants, and there they camped at eventide by the River of Forgetfulness, whose waters no vessel can contain.” In accordance to the keeping of the internal cosmic laws, all the souls coming to the physical were all required to drink a measure of the water, and those who were not saved by their good sense drank more than the measure and each one as he drank forgot all things.
At a time, the souls fell asleep and at the middle of the night, there was a sound of thunder and a quaking of the earth and the souls were set upward to their birth like shooting stars. Er himself according to Plato was not allowed to drink of the water, yet how and in what way he returned to the body he said he did not know, but suddenly recovering his sight he saw himself at dawn lying on the funeral pyre.
Following the above, the major theme here is that before returning to life either through reincarnation or otherwise a certain kind “forgetting” of knowledge one has in the eternal state must take place. This philosophy is shared among esoteric scholars of different organizations; this however is not my major concern here but I want to emphasize that those who were not saved by their good sense, who drank more than the required measure are prone to more forgetfulness than those who were guided by their good sense.
If they are born into the physical realm of human consciousness, they fall into the group that could be regarded as mediocre. They are the ones who if by one way or the other favored by the wind of change to occupy any elected position, must fulfill the principles of their karmic records by obeying the voice of mediocrity as was contained in the water of forgetfulness in the realm beyond
I may sound as a determinist philosopher who I may not be, but the truth is that people have their destinies and must fulfill them whether they are aware of them or not. In the words of Homer, “No man of woman born, coward or brave, can shun his destiny.” Yes, no one can shun his destiny, not even a mediocre who will later allow the masses to determine his happiness. No degree of mystical incantations at any roundabout and knowledge attainable by man will be able to set him above the decree contained in the water of forgetfulness which has hitherto determined his future.
I know I will die one day, but I am not afraid of death now because I am alive in HIM in other to speak the truth to humanity. I wish to inform my readers however that a mediocre is a naïve person, one who is often very loud, over confident and small-minded who on the other hand, may not realize his deficiencies while over praising his works. The mediocre small-mindedness is very conspicuous and unless he is made to realize it politely, he will cast his unconditional wrath on whoever lampoons and criticizes him.
It becomes very difficult to correct a mediocre as a result of his low political leadership quality, the Shakespearean admonition, “Speak low, if you speak love” does not make any logical meaning in the working encyclopedia of a mediocre hence he sits very complacently on a serious issue of state or national interest and ends up personalizing it.
A mediocre is always rash and abrasive and can easily be faulted when it comes to exerting true leadership qualities and being focused on life-impacting projects. A mediocre sense of judgment is usually hampered by his obvious limitations as he is usually loquacious always meaning “B” when he says “A”. He is always on a defensive and unaccommodating side in so far as it projects and favors his noxious and illicit ambition in enmeshing wealth.
A mediocre is known for jumping from one political party to another and may not be bordered on how he spends states money on his personal and selfish interest while the led are dying of hunger. The youths are neglected and denied of their job opportunities in their homeland while money circulate only around them and their family member together with few friends
Any government that does not have the interest of the poor masses at heart is led by a mediocre. I saw this mediocre coming years ago, and I kept shouting but nobody listened to me. Today we see them making very phony and prosaic remark on their puny economic policies which have given many food for thought. Some, both at the state and federal levels sing his glory as a result consolidating the hell fire we have seen.
A mediocre leader does not want to initiate new policies and even when he does; it must be hampered by his limitations thereby foreclosing the possibility of growth or progress. To a mediocre, progress is always adjusted to suit his limited horizon; this makes it easy for him to paint pictures of his puny deeds in a large and voluminous book in order to inform the world that business is fine while the poor masses in his state are dying of hunger occasioned by unemployment and bad governance.
A mediocre lacks the proper knowledge required for the effective usage and management of both human and material resources. The utilization of human resources constantly confuses the mediocre to the extent that any bright and brilliant person is a threat to his position and authority. Any constructive criticism is an invitation to intimidation and threat which he uses his executive office to issue. He will always use his office to persecute and frustrate the people under him.
Greatness to a mediocre is all about looting both the state and the local government treasury in as much as his selfish interest is satisfied. A mediocre chief executive works to impoverish others and mislead them. He does not obey court ruling; he is unjust and reacts to opposition the way Pentecostal deliverance Pastors react to demons. His distorted approach to the issues of justice makes him a bully. In the words of Thomas Aquinas, “Justice means rendering to each one his right.” St. Isidore on the other hand infers that “A man is said to be just because he respects the rights of others.” The administration of a mediocre does not have respect for the rights of others. This is absolute moral evil and we don't need such a leader again in Imo and beyond.
Christian Ogbuagbu, returning officer for Imo state elections, yesterday Monday ordered for the arrest of Christian Ehirim, the collation officer of Ohaji Egbema local government area (LGA), for allegedly altering the results of the LGA.
Ogbuagbu, who apparently had the results from the field, announced that the figures Ehirim presented were doctored. Immediately he gave the order, security operatives moved in and led Ehirim away. Ogbuagbu, a professor, is the vice chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia state while Ehirim is also a professor.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship candidate in Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, has taken the lead in the results from the 11 local government areas so far declared.
The former deputy speaker, House of Representatives, is leading other candidates with over 70,000 votes, having polled 128,732 votes.
His closest rival, Uche Nwosu of Action Alliance, had so far scored 66,852 followed by Senator Ifeanyi Ararume of the All Progressives Congress Grand Alliance who scored 37,107. The All Progressives Congress candidate, Senator Hope Uzodimma has polled 27,331 while the Accord Party candidate, Ihedi Ohakim scored 2,047.
The result declaration was disrupted at 5 am this morning by the PDP agent, Uche Onyeagocha, the Special Adviser to Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State on Electoral Matters, Steve Asinobi, and his associate, Paschal Onwukaike. Their action followed the opposition of the PDP agent to the declaration of the results for Ideato South Local Government Area.
Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance in Imo state and Publisher of Nigeria Moment newspapers, Dr. George Nkwoji has formally announced his exit from active partisan politics.
A statement signed by the Editor of Nigeria Moment, Elder Ozirim Eke yesterday Monday disclosed that Nkwoji took the decision after he consulted with his family and close political associates.
According to the statement, Dr. Nkwoji used the opportunity to advise politicians to respect the tenets of democracy. The publisher while x-raying the outcome of the 2019 general elections condemned the militarization of the electoral processes and however congratulated Chief Emeka Ihedioha and PDP for their resounding victory as Imo State Governor
There were indications that police have commenced investigations into the remote cause of the burning on INEC office in Umuneke, the Ngor Okpala local government capital on Sunday by unknown thugs.
Nigeria Moment equally noted that the police in collaboration with other security agencies began search of thugs who snatched ballot papers. It was gathered that thugs suspected to be hired by the AA supporters stormed some polling units and attacked voters and election adhoc workers in Egbelu Obuhe of OAU ward in Owerri North LGA of Imo state and snatched ballot boxes in some polling units.
Nigeria Moment gathered that the thugs landed at the Umuneke INEC secretariat in a commando style with two motor cycles and rushed straight to the INEC complex and set the place ablaze. It was equally gathered that the men of the underworld who were masked came attacking few minutes after the INEC officials left the area for Owerri to return the results for the governorship and House of Assembly elections. Shortly after the mayhem, teams of armed police and army personnel arrived the scene to see things for themselves. But before they could arrive, the thugs zoomed off.
Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge lamented drawing holders Borussia Dortmund in the third round of the German Cup in a repeat of last season's semifinals.
Tunisia, Senegal and Morocco are well placed to complete in November the five-nation African line-up for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
New Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes sounded confident on Monday that he will be able to turn things around for the German champions following a lacklustre start to the season that led to the sacking of Carlo Ancelotti.
Organizing Committee of Imo State Football Association has approved the 2017 Sam Okwaraji Imo League Football Competition, powered by Okey - Eze Foundation.
Management, Staff and Footballers of the Heartland Football Club, HLFC, Owerri Saturday March 25, 2017 through the players of the club assured Imo State people of victory as they began the 2017 Nigerian Premier League tournament.
Liverpool have effectively been told by Fifa to make up their own minds over whether Cameroon defender Joel Matip can play for them after declining to represent his country in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Given the gargantuan scale of Imo's dysfunction, the people ought to be having an urgent, indeed fundamental, debate about the very direction of their much-troubled state. It is worrisome, however, that far too many of us are content to indulge once again in the same retrogressive pattern of politicking that has been the bane of the state.
Search for who becomes the next senator for Orlu zone in 2019 has begun in earnest. Interest groups and candidates have been engaged in one move or the other to win support. As expected, some of the candidates are facing serious opposition which is the normal thing in a democratic contest.
Life is full of ironies. It can pull unbelievable surprise. Ask Imo state governor, Rochas Okorocha. He has just been suspended from his party, the All Progressives Congress, a party he was very proud of. In suspending him, it said the governor has become bad news, a betrayer; that he has embarked on, and engaged in, anti-party activities and so, an embarrassment to the party. So, the party kicked him out.
It is no news to state that world is coming to an end. The definite time however remains uncertain but one thing certain about it is that when abnormal things begin to happen, one should begin to guess that it is in sight.
Since the party primaries that produced the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari as the Presidential flag-bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Eagle Square in Abuja on October 6, 2018 and former vice president of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the flag-bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt a day after, I have had a heave of relief and concluded that it is going to be between Buhari and Atiku on February 16, 2019.
The date was Saturday, June 23, 2018. The venue was the iconic Eagles square, Abuja. The time was about 3.30 pm. The event was the National Convention of the All Progressive Congress. Attendance saw the arena filled to the brim with men and women from all walks of (Nigeria) life. The world press, the Nigeria press, movers and shakers of the Nigerian nation were there. The President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces if the Federal Republic of Nigeria was mid way into his key note address.