Our Governor Is Dancing Naked
Gerald Kempis, brother of Thomas, had a beautiful palace built and invited his friends to admire it. Everybody admired it, but only one could find any fault with it. “You have a beautiful palace, but still I would like to give you some advice.” “What?” asked owner. “Have a door walled up.” “Which?” “The one through which you will be taken out one day to be taken to the cemetery…” “Ah, but this door cannot be walled up, for death is an unwelcome guest from which man cannot escape.”
Sometimes I ask myself so many questions bothering on morality when I see the way most of our leaders handle issues. They forgot that no matter the type of political game they play, no matter how they hoodwink the led with profound show of unmitigated bravado and unpatriotic gesture, they shall one day meet at the parting wall of destiny, where material or mundane consciousness shall test the barren soil of error as the dust returns to its abode.
They forgot to build a mighty wall round about their chambers through which they will be taken out one day to the cemetery. Those who forget the cosmic tragedy of tomorrow become victims of political duplicity of today. They are the ones who dance naked without knowing same. They think of themselves of swimming in the subterranean ocean while their backs are all visible on the surface of the ocean. We are seeing them dancing naked.
One of such personalities is the Governor of Imo State Chief Rochas A. Okorocha. Rochas had always believed that he was going to be the best governor Imo would ever have. Whatever gave him this pseudo impression is what majority of us do not know. This repugnant and repulsive thought, made him act very obstructively both in speech and in action before and after the election in 2011.
To those who never bothered to study his past, Chief Rochas was the best dancer in the political strata/sphere of Nigerian nation; who was consequently adored with fine gold; a sapphire and beryl stone, as a result was a radiant and brilliant political morning star. Many sang his glory and like the birth of Christ, the coming of Rochas with his “Rescue Mission” agenda became the watch word of many preachers and we heard voices from various orthodox, Protestant and Pentecostal pull-pits, showering praises on him and singing doxology to God for sending him. In fact, hope was so high!
Chief Rochas being a smart guy started raising dust into the eyes of the public through his smart measures like eating roasted corn, drinking sachet water, rode on keke. It did not end there, he went further by feeding the poor in an open arena; by these actions Okorocha became a good dancer who was not dancing naked at all. These actions closed and blinded the eyes of the masses from seeing his nakedness thus he continued in his ignoble skills in making sure people continue to applaud him. All his fake actions like eating unwashed tomato were the pain he took to deceive Imo people. He was busy capitalizing on Chief Ohakim’s areas of weakness in order to be acceptable.
The great question is, has Gov. Okorocha stopped faking Imo people? Today, Okorocha’s popularity has reduced from what it used to be. His supporters have grown increasingly disenchanted with him because of lack of performance and betrayal of trust. Irked by Okorocha’s duplicity, the Arch Bishop of Owerri A.J.V Obinna who was Okorocha’s harbinger, recently lashed the governor in one of his recent sermons regarding Rochas abuse of public trust.
When he was dancing with his cloth on, he was hailed both for what he did and even the ones Chief Ohakim and Udenwa accomplished. Those who saw him dance with cloths on his body, upon seeing his nakedness are having ‘buyers’ remorse’ simply because Rochas who they thought was dancing with cloths made from heaven is now dancing naked by performing below their expectations. In all sectors of the economy, majority of Rochas supporters admit that he is dancing naked by not measuring equal to the task. Today, the glum tone of the voices of Okorocha’s supporters and look on their faces now attest to the fact of their utter disappointment. Yes our governor is dancing naked!
I have always condemned the cursory approach of Gov. Rochas political and economic policies and a look at the decisions and policies of Gov. Rochas administration reveals a conundrum, marinated with inconsistent cum incoherent philosophies which lacks everything that makes life worth living. It is obvious that our governor lacks ideology and policy directions needed to properly rescue Imo state. Lack of good policies is responsible for why he is now dancing naked in the public. His leadership philosophy defiles every known leadership “principles and definition”.
His naked dance is so obvious that he enjoys engaging on fanciful and cosmetic developmental approaches which in reality does not have any economic advantage to Imo people. This informs why Okorocha’s achievements can be seen as, Hero’s Square, Bongo Square, Freedom Square, construction of roundabouts, beautification of Government Fences, construction of roads especially those that eyes can see in the state capital in order to prove to people that he is working.
The amazing thing that has kept Owelle Rochas on naked dancing in the eyes of some Imo elites is the fact that those cosmetic projects have remained for over one year now with occasional fanciful window dressing to make the people of Imo believe that things are moving fine in line with his deceptive “Rescue Mission” slogan of being in a hurry to deliver. Today in Imo State, Gov. Okorocha does all things alone. He is the drummer and the dancer. He is today a lone ranger. All the Imo elites are kept behind while he gives the impression that everything is moving very fine.
A naked dancer governor initially informed Imo people that he was going to conduct local Government election and not to appoint Sole Administrators to run the affairs of our various Local Government Areas. Today, Gov. Okorocha has refused to conduct Local Government election for close to three years now. He has used the Sole Administrators and Director of Administration and General Services (DAGS) at the LGAs. The kind of people he appoints to such positions are people who may not have seen money as a result are very comfortable with any stipend Okorocha gives them.
Here was a man who promised to conduct LGA election after three months if elected today he has shown and proved himself to be a liar in many ways. He is not ashamed of dancing naked. Like my late Father would say “even since i saw the buttocks of a palm wine tapper on the raffia tree, his palm wine no longer appeal to him” this is the stand of many Imo people today. Prof Nathan Protus Uzorma
Imo Needs A Leader Now
When truth is swept off the street, destinies are trampled under feet. It is not flak to aver that these times are getting so auspicious for an average Imo indigene especially the poor masses that are at the receiving end. People are really suffering in Imo State now. Records and statistics have shown that Imo State among the 36 states of Nigeria churn out the largest number of school leavers and graduates that needs gainful employment. This implies also, that Imo State presently parades the highest number of unemployed persons. By implication as well, poverty takes its great toll in this clime, where the state government remains the highest employer of labour.
Glaringly, economic indicators reveal that certain key sectors suffer undue neglect which imposes a devastating effect of untold hardship on the people in whose watching eyes spates of capital projects with little or no inlhate positive economic impacts both in short or long run are on-going. Without over-emphasis, it is quite acknowledged that the Imo State government at the moment has embarked upon a wide range of capital project of infrastructural relevance. But, certain key sectors of the economy appear to be very dormant. Such vital aspects of an economy with capacity to stimulate growth and enhance development are begging for attention whereas the state government trapped in the euphoria of the Rescue Mission sing song appears neck-deep into the attitude of huge capital outlays in what was coined as a mesmerizing 730 projects in 730 days. Even in the face of comatose Health sector (staff of specialist hospital, Umuguma are owed about 9 months arrears of salaries), transport sector (staff of ITC are owed about 6 months arrears of salaries), even OCDA staff are owed arrears of salaries, agricultural sector and mutilated local government administration system, the leadership of the heartland state in the saddle enjoys the pranks of cajoling the poor masses into the notion that the first tranche of the target agenda on the v&rge of completion is “the Rescue” while gearing up for “the mission” aspect with effect from the second half of this regime’s tenure. Prior to the advent of the rescue Mission government, Imo people were cuddled with the radio jingles composed by the former Governor Ohakim’s artist, which unleashed spurious promise of “enduring a little today for the tomorrow’s greater enjoyment”. The idea was sold to the helpless poor masses under the gambits of the aphorism that; the ability to delay gratification is one of the key indicators of emotional intelligence and future success”. Unfortunately, just like from fire to fry pan Imo people strolled from that era of unrealistic promises into another chequered period of suspense laden antics that entails yet another dragging gestation period of waiting for a “Rescue” agendum to be exhausted before the “Mission” agendum takes off upon the attainment of a comfortable cruising height by the flight conveying the furious Rescue Mission agenda team to God knows where. With all these excuses and hope raising recesses, the people are anxiously trapped in the garb of austerity measures and economic woes that suppressed them to the point of asphyxiation. In the process, a lot of them who despaired of waiting were vitiated unto death and long interred. Truly, many have gone in Imo State out of untold hardship, misery and poverty. Obviously, a lot of victims are made casualties from the traction of the Rescue Mission train. But, the immediate families and cronies of the Rescue Mission Agenda Czar are radiating opulence. Those of us still alive are almost furlong, wary, yawning, yearnings, expectant and waiting with atavistic fear that the advent of a true messiah should not be postponed any longer, but be made manifest soonest to salvage Imo State which teeters on the brinks of economic crises. Imo State needs a leader who will take us out of the doldrums onto a pathway of transformation from the era of deferred gratification to that of realistic libertine period of socio-economic emancipation. This will only be feasible under a true and conscious leadership. Admittedly, many capital projects are on-going but, of what economic essence are they as it pertains to the real situation on the ground. For examples, the construction of series of scintillating structures for specific purposes like, Bongo Square (talent hunt amphitheater), Freedom Park, inter-denominational church house, Ikemba Ojukwu Centre, Heroe’s Square, ICAPS, steel-girder road canopies, ramp-like cross-over bridges, bazaar of sculpture adorned roundabouts, city gates, city beautification barricades and hospital-purpose- buildings all are relevant for the built environment but lack true immediate economic impacts. The elitist-oriented projects and programmes embarked so far by this government tend to contradict the mantra of agenda my people! My people often croaked by the champion of a supposedly people-oriented government Owelle, Rochas Anayo Okorocha (OON). Pertinently, Imo needs a leader who will appreciate the predicament of her people, recognize the available potentials and utilize the relatively scarce resources to ameliorate the sufferings of the teeming population of unemployed young school leavers and graduates. With unquenchable nostalgia, the era of industrialization and agricultural programmes under Late De Sam Mbakwe and Michael Opara are memories evergreen in the minds of people like yours sincerely and the amiable Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho (who recently recounted them in retrospection in a speech during a public gathering) when projects like the Avutu Poultry, ADAPALM, Amuro Burnt Bricks, Standard Shoes, and Farm Settlements respectively were conceived and implemented. These projects and many of them alike have imbued capacity of providing employments, food security and stimulating the overall economy positively towards growths and development. It is incredible to observe that for over a decade now, Imo State governments both preceding and present have not considered comprehensive housing delivery as a problem. From the records, Nigeria warps under the burden of about 17 million housing deficit. At federal level, the provision of comfortable and affordable housing for shelter remains in a shortfall albeit the Goodluck Jonathan – Sambo transformation agenda integrated housing delivery as an improvement on the late Yar’Adua’s regime and its 7-point agenda that trivialized it. Imo State, the Housing Corporation became dormant after the time of Chief Achike Udenwa which built the Redemption Estate, Okporo Housing Estate, Diamond Estate and Nekede Exclusive Gardens etc. Worthy of note is that the erstwhile prestigious Aladinma and Ikenegbu Estates and even the idea of projects of the popular World Bank Housing Estate were built and conceived respectively under Sam Mbakwe’s regime. The government of Imo State under Chief Ikedi Ohakim did not build any estate (it recorded zero housing delivery). This present Imo State government on the Rescue Mission up till date is yet to accomplish any housing delivery programme. Meanwhile, the Imo Rescue Mission agenda has in its incubation, the Diaspora Estate and 1000 housing units proposed by Gordon Developers, which are nearly abandoned.
So, good governance entails quality leadership. Until you can boldly tell people to follow you and they do so, you are not qualified to rule. Leaders should be reliable and responsible. With the inception of the present Owelle led government Imo people displayed laudable disposition to imbibe change. This implies that change is now a welcome development. We must therefore strive to sustain change as the only lee way out of non-performance. As the next general election ctoses up on daily basis, our worry should be developing the attitude of always making a good choice by applying necessary cautions to ensure the election of quality and visionary leadership that will be informed by the true pulse of the people in the formulation and implementation of policies for the overriding public interest. Interestingly, we are blessed with such men of integrity like Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho, Chief Ifeanyi Godwin Ararume, Chief Humphrey Anumudu, Chief Jerry Chukweke and Chief Hope Uzodinma etc (in order of preference by me) from among whom choice could be made if only we apply necessary careful approach. We must be able to carefully identify and distinguish these several individual political characters on a taxonomy that is quite independent of party affiliations underscoring their track records or antecedence vis-a-vis sterling qualities of leadership as prerequisites. In fact, Imo State is no longer fit for the risky games of experimentation with the acts of governance. While in the hands of God, Imo is bound to be better indeed.
