Bank Closure In Imo: Punishing Christians At Christmas?
That banks operating in Imo State have been under locks and keys for about a week under the strict instruction of the governor is no longer news. Imolites and outsiders residing in the state have felt the pains. And to make the matter worse, the action of the governor was ill timed considering the Christmas season when Christians celebrate the birth of Christ who is compassionate, caring, forgiving and merciful.
For any government to choose such important period to execute or implement a policy that could be seen as anti people or targeted against a particular set of religion is reckless and inhuman.
Quite agreed that banks or other companies operating in the state should pay their taxes, a responsible government will consider the effect of its action on the governed. We join the government and people of Imo State to appeal to all corporate organizations to pay their taxes. Banks, Roche, Grand Projeti and other companies working for the Imo State government plus individuals must pay their tax and the Imo State government especially Owelle Rochas must do everything under his powers to recover the N1.5billion he approved and paid to JPros Nig Ltd for a job not done.
Still on the bank closure, the timing is wrong and the effect is devastating on Christians who are preparing to celebrate Xmas. Many Imolites are viewing the action as portraying the governor as a man who claim Christianity but act Islam. Many people have associated Governor Okorocha with the rumour that he is propagating Islam in Imo, promising funds to those willing to join Islam. The building of a Mosque at the entrance to Government House by Library bus-stop gives credence to such suspicion. The closure of banks in Imo State at this Christmas period thereby punishing and frustrating Christians from having a joyous celebration creates more fear that their governor is using the excuse of asking for withholding tax from banks as a decoy to withhold cash and prevent Christians from celebrating the birth of Christ. This is punishing Christians at Christmas by a brother.
Imolites who have been promised Christmas gifts and funds by the Governor may see the bank closure as a deceitful way by the government not to fulfill its obligations to the Imo Civil Servants and Imolites that have been made promises by the governor.
Any responsible government with genuine mind to rescue should not create wrong impression on the minds of its citizen especially when their welfare is concerned. Government and governance should have a human face. Imo people most especially, are suffering from the bank closure and the best the government could do is to consider the plight of its citizen this Christmas for the sake of the children and those he calls my people, my people and open the banks as this closure is the worst Xmas gift by a Governor to its citizens.
Imo PDP The Bully?
I read with concern an article written by Chief Blyden Amajirionwu published in some local Newspapers which he titled, “My Ordeal In The Hands of Owners Of The Party”. I also read the response of the Imo Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In summary Chief Amajirionwu cried out over the injustice meted out to him by a Party he has served painstakingly. If I may recap, he harped on the irregularities that trailed his so-called suspension from the Ward to the zone. He also complained about how he was molested by hired physically challenged persons at Ihitte Uboma. What raised greater concern was the threat to life raised by Chief Amajirionwu.
Instead of reacting to these fundamental issues raised, and finding appropriate solution to them, the party in a usual sycophantic approach added salt to injury. In a published reaction, they tagged Chief Amajirionwu as a Security Risk. He was also in various manners abused and castigated. In my opinion Imo PDP is once again digging its grave. The party still behaves as if it is in power. It bullies, ruffles, fights from all flanks and engages in unnecessary squabbles that could be resolved amicably. Whatever image recovery that the state PDP enjoys today is attributable to his efforts.
He became the one man riot squad of the Party. I don’t want to believe that most of the unfortunate travails of the Chief is borne out of malice and envy. Just like the biblical selling of Joseph to the Egyptians by his brothers. Chief Blyden Amajirionwu has put down in Imo State an indelible impression of trust before the entire Imolities. No matter how the PDP tries to castigate him, the people of the state already have an opinion of him. Also no matter how the Party today maltreats him, he remains an asset as well as a hero. He is accorded adequate respect by those that know him. I assure you, he will have a rapid political ascendancy. Blyden can never be used as mole by anyone. He is a man of substance, pedigree and integrity.
A candid advice I can give to the PDP is for it to have a total review of what it parades now as a state working committee. Most of the individuals there lack in prowess and capacity to deliver the Party in any electoral contest. With this crop of officers on board, the electoral performance of the Party in 2015 can easily be predicted.
Finally, the party should turn a new leaf where hard work should be rewarded. Being a bully is a dangerous precedence.
Mr. Ihejirika Henry
08061526929
