Imo Politics And 2023 Election

By Sampson Uhuegbu, Owerri

There are just about eleven (11) months for the 2023 general election to take place. Ndi Imo vis-a-vis Nigerians would go into another general polling exercise to cast their votes for Presidential, Governorship, State and National Assembly candidates of their choices for another four years. The underground race has already begun with aspirants defecting to the governing All Progressives Congress, APC. It should never be an astonishing issue that other political parties are loosing souls to ruling one in the corridor of power. It is obtainable in the political environment and should not call for condemnation of any kind.

Democratic system of governance came into existence in Imo with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under which Chief Achike Udenwa vied with other contestants and he floored them during the keenly- conducted Governorship election. That victory followed his swearing- in by the Chief Judge of the State after he was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

From 1999 to 2007, Achike Udenwa’s administration in the state could be said to be full of tribulations from his oppositions and political detractors. He handed over to Chief Ikedi Ohakim as his successor in 2007 under the umbrella of All Progressives Party (APP).

Meanwhile, there had been an agreement made by some notable politicians like Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Chief Authur Nzeribe and Chief Enyiogasi ( OK 2000) in the state on power rotation among the zones, otherwise known as “Imo Charter of Equity.

Before then, the PDP had three frontline contestants in the primaries to nominate her party’s candidate. They were Humphrey Anumudu from Mbaitoli Local Government Area, Greg Mbadiwe and Owelle Rochas Okorocha, all from the Ideato South LGA.; While Ikedi Ohakim from Isiala Mbano. The state chairman of the party then was Chief I.D. Nwoga, played along with Udenwa and eventually produced a successor.

The four- years political office of Ikedi Ohakim as Imo Governor was laced….. with the challenges that emanated from opposition of other party cheiftains which became worrisome to him and this therefore reflected in his campaign to be reelected for second term as Governor was after all defeated by Rochas Okorocha- the APGA gubernatorial candidate.

Recall, the polls were declared inconclusive by the electoral umpire and therefore called for a supplementary election in four (4) out of the Twenty Seven (27) Council Areas in the state.

After the two past governors; Achike Udenwa and Ikedi Ohakim left office, the positive and negative elements of their personalities were felt and began to be criticized. Areas the duo performed optimally well and where they underperformed during their administrations were also assessed. Ohakim fought a political war to win the hearts of Imo people to be returned for second term but luck ran out of him and smiled on Rochas who won the polls under the APGA.

The Rescue Mission governance of Okorocha accommodated all and sundry across party lines cum rural areas. In terms of infrastructures, his performance can be scored 68 Percent. Some of the roads Owelle Rochas Okorocha’s contractors built are delapidating speeding. Does it mean the Commissioner for Works was not monitoring the construction work when it was ongoing or the Contractors were shortpaid? Inclusive were the gingantic building he built and handed over to the Imo State Police Command for them to relocate to the new edifice. Unfortunately, professional bodies raised alarm and warned police not to occupy that building over its imminent collapse.

What of the Orji flyover bridge that interlinks…… Amakohia? Let us not forget that the Imo State branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) warned motorists not to ply the flyover bridge that was poorly executed. There are uncountable decaying buildings and roads across the Orlu, Owerri and Okigwe zones of the State.

Since Rochas left office in May, 2019, those infrastructures are still there calling for repairment. Also the 27 uncompleted General Hospitals have been occupied by wild animals, the roofs rottened and its walls cracked. That is to say the present administration of His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma inherited uncompleted projects.

For rapid developments to be enhanced in the state, It requires continuity, understanding and tolerance no matter whose ox is gored. Let me amplify this point. There are myriads of uncompleted infrastructural projects Okorocha started that need to be completed.

Meanwhile, the present administration of Senator Hope Uzodimma inherited many abandoned projects by ex Governor Okorocha of which completions are needed immediately to avoid more and more wastefulness of resources. Though, Ihedioha spent only eight (8) months in office before he was sacked by the court. It is therefore not necessary to cast blames on him over completion of projects. But interestingly, former Governor Emeka Ihedioha started well and would have performed excellently.

It is sad that our leaders hardly give us proper account of the 13% oil derivation fund, Ecological funds, Ramp funds, Federal cum Local government allocations; including other monthly financial assistance.

Back to my topic. Let us not forget the fact that Imo remains one of the home states of highly political class of people who are into different political parties with diverse idiocyncracies and ideaologies. Unity, love and sincerity of purpose be craved to lead.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo appears to be weathering storms over exodus of its members to the governing All Progressives Congress, APC. Those eyeing for one political position or the other are now joining the the party just to easily make it to the corridor of power. But mind you, it is not all that have defected to the APC mean well. Some are green snakes on green grasses which literarily infers that one could hardly decipher the main aim for which they have joined the party.

Nigerian political system is heavily loosing its strength and taste just because of flagrant defections to sundry parties without the zeal to stick to one party. Governor Hope Uzodimma was once a strong PDP stalwart. Infact, a National Assembly caucus member of the party in the Senate from 2007 as the Senator that represented Imo West Senatorial District.

In the 2015 and 2019 general elections, Imo APGA welcomed freshers into the party through the door and sadly, failed them midway. The inhuman treatment meted on fresh aspirants, brought about faction in Imo APGA. This party had remained stagnant and unadvanced owing to selfish and selfagrandized leaders that never cared for interest of the party. One of the problem Imo APGA is ladened with is their inability to maintain its members. Imo APC is supposed to have gone far politically the state.

In Imo today, there seem to be no opposition party. Please, do not crucify me on the cross if this statement sounds inflammatory to you. Sorry, this is my humble opinion. APGA, PDP, YPP and others, can be said to be dead. I want to state here with a rude shock that even the PDP is not waxing stronger as generally expected in Imo.

According to a French Political Scientist; Charles Louis Montesquieu, he said: “Politics without opposition is like an interesting wrestling that misses the link”. If you ask me, other parties in the state are cold. They should strategize on mechanisms to put in place to make the game interesting.

It is the opposition that would push the ruling party to seat up and deliver the devidend of democracy to people of the State. Imo APC is complacent, reluctant and carefree to its internal issues, is apparently disheartening and at same time, ridiculous. Up till now, the ruling party in Imo is still being rocked by crises that can be resolved. Okorocha cum his allies versus Governor Hope Uzodimma and his supporters.

The much talked- about 2023 election is approaching. Therefore, time to put the house in order is now.