I want to first of all thank all those who made reactions to my last piece “The mystery behind Imo Governorship seat” Particularly Hon Ken Ndukwu and Barr Ken Njemanze (SAN) who all reminded me that in 1979, Dr Sam Mbakwe contested the election against Chief Nwakanma Okoro of NPN, and not Chief Collins Obi as I stated.
Chief Ochonma also informed me that Chief Evan Enwerem and Ifeanyi Araraume joined PDP from APP immediately after the Governorship primaries, and not after the elections. He also frowned at my writing “Chief Evan(s)” instead of “Evan” or “Evans”. All these are noted.
However, this week I am going to comment on four particular issues. Namely, the case of National Awards as concerns one of those picked from Imo, by Gov Okorocha, State police, Jude Agbaso’s Committee on IMSU site in Owerri zone, President Jonathan’s chances in 2015, and finally, Imo State House of Assembly members trip to South Africa.
Let me begin with the National Awards and the criticisms trailing Prince Eze Madumere from Imo State. I received a mail signed by the Action Congress of Nigeria, Imo State Chapter condemning the choice of Prince Eze Madumere, Owelle Rochas Okorocha’s Chief of staff.
In the said mail, the party lampooned Okorocha for selecting Madumere for MFR honour, asking what his achievements are, and whether people have finished in Imo, for people like Madumere to make the of member of the Federal Republic MFR, Honour list.
My take here is that Okorocha has made his choice and you don’t give what you don’t have. Madumere may not be Dangote or Adenuga, but Okorocha has given the Federal Government the number of Imo Awardees, and since that is his “first eleven” let it be. It should be left for posterity to judge.
Last year, he chose Chief Martin Agbaso and that choice did not elicit the kind of barrage of disapprovals that are trailing that of Madumere.
ACN is questioning Madumere’s pedigree as to deserve National Honours. But he has remained Okorocha’s Chief- of- staff for over ten years now and has served him meritoriously and was elevated as his Chief – of – staff when Okorocha became Governor. He is barely one year on the present job. Has he done well? Is he qualified to be so honoured by the Federal Government? Only Okorocha can say, and therefore, it does not matter to the entire Imo people who Prince Eze Madumere is. That has been Okorocha’s method period.
Personally, I have known Madumere for over ten years now. He is a quiet and easy – going young man who has for over 15 years struggling to win elections, both as Federal House member, or Senate but failed in both trials. But that did not deter him, as he still hopes to realize those dreams or even greater.
I remember my encounter with Madumere at Dollar Super Market, Asokoro,Abujain 2011. He was complaining to me that Ikedi Ohakim, then Governor of Imo State, was not picking Rochas Okorocha’s calls any longer. He appealed to me talk to Ohakim, pointing out that it was not healthy for both men to be enemies, at least for the peace and development of Imo State. I replied him that I was going to inform Ohakim and I did.
A few months after that discussion with Madumere, Okorocha became a Governor and Madumere a Chief of Staff. However, what puzzles me is that today I hear people complain that both Okorocha and Madumere do not pick calls.
Does it mean that our leaders do not learn from history? My brother Madumere suddenly has changed. If Ohakim was not picking calls and he was complaining, why is he and his Boss no longer picking calls?
I remember vividly that Prince Madumere was present at the premises of the State High Court Owerri on November last year when thugs were pummeling me to death, for what offense I am yet to know. He looked the other way. I have since been told that one of the Boys who nearly killed me is a relation of Madumere’s.
Because of his mien and quiet candor, I may have mistook Madumere as one of those who would serve as the “brokers” and stabilizing factor of the Okorocha administration between imagined enemies and the Government.
But they say you never know a man too well until he wields power.
Whatever it is worth, I congratulate my brother Madumere simply because it shows that perseverance pays. But only to those who appreciate loyalty like Okorocha. However, I would like to advise my brother Madumere not to do those things he condemned others for, and remember that power is transient. I wish him Goodluck. And as a young man, the journey is still far and may still meet others on the way as he travel life’s journey congrats!
Then the issue of State police. Honestly, it would have been good for state police inNigeria. But the fear is that some autocratic state Governors may use it terrorize perceived enemies and opponents.
If not, it is a very good idea. Already, it is glaringly clear that the states are single – handedly maintaining their police commands. It is the states that buy Armoured cars and other sophisticated equipment for the state police commands.
Therefore, it would not be wrong to say that the state police is already existing in state fundings, except that the state police commands do not take orders from the Governors, but the Inspector General.
Yet the police even as constituted presently is being abused by those at the Federal level. A Minister can “import” police from Abuja to wreak havoc in his state, and because of “order from above” nothing happens. We have seen where a Minister from Imo state used one of the para – military organizations under his control to subdue his “opponents”
I want to ask if the Sir Jude Agbaso Committee set up by Gov Okorocha to look into permanent site of IMSU in Owerri zone has finished and submitted its report?
The reason is that Owerri people want work to resume on the site before the Okorocha regime, at least from this first term, takes its leave.
As I write, I have it on good authority that work is going on at high speed at the “Ogboko University”. Was this Committee set – up as a decoy to buy time why work rages at “Ogboko University”?
After completing the “Ogboko University”, can government still have enough funds to prosecute the one sited in Owerri zone? Even at that, can Okorocha begin and finish work on IMSU at the yet to be located site in Owerri zone?
Government should please, look into the free education policy in IMSU. Students bombard me everyday with the developments there.
They argue that the 30% admission quota given to Imo indigences in the Institution has drastically reduced the number of Imo citizens in the Institution.
They are appealing that the University should give them admission and let them pay for their fees and forget the free education stuff.
Their concern is to gain admission, not free education now. Many of them told me that they left Lagos, Oyo, Ondo, Kano, and other states for Imo State where they thought they could easily gain admission and pursue their academic careers, not for free, but to study and pay.
But for the fear of paying school fees for too many students in a bid to fulfill their free education policy, government directed that none Imo citizens, or those to pay fees should take 70% admission spaces, leaving Imo citizens with 30%.
Please, government should look into this, or the free education policy will end up back – firing on the targeted goal. Which is free education for all Imo children, and not free education for those that government can afford to pay their fees.
Just recently, the people of Niger Delta held a meeting in Asaba, Delta state, where they resolved that President Goodluck Jonathan should go for a second term.
In all sincerity, the constitution of the Federal Republic guarantees President Jonathan a second term. But it is not by force that he must be President in 2015.Nigeria is a Republic made up of various ethnic nations. Nobody should lord it above others.
There are two major factors, I believe, should guarantee President Jonathan to run again in 2015.
One, he must not only perform, but seen to have performed before any well – thinking Nigerian would cast his vote for him.
Two, he will go through the primaries of his political party, and if he scales through, he then comes out and present himself to the people of Nigeria.
Unfortunately, we still have about three years left and the South – South people are talking about Jonathan’s re – election.
What have they on ground as his achievements to convince other Nigerians? Jonathan told Igbo’s during the campaigns that he is an “Azikiwe” and will construct the second Nigeria Bridge.
After the elections Jonathan has since removed “Azikiwe” from his name and neither has he started the second Nigeria Bridge, talk less of completion. So on what premise would Ndigbo support him in 2015? Forget the ramblings of the likes of Chief Arthur Eze. He needs to convince Ndigbo yet.
Poverty has united Nigerians, and they are getting politically informed, even as Nigerian Universities churn out unemployed graduates every year.
It is these crowd of “Educated Electorate” that Jonathan and other intending candidates would face in 2015. The days of “Yabis” and “Okada” are over. People are getting politically aware.
Any attempt to impose any candidate on the electorate in 2015 is a recipe for mayhem and chaos. The masses have realized that it is better for your fathers enemy to be in office as long as he is delivering the goods, than your father who has nothing to offer the society by fumbling.
Rather than waste time in meetings, the South – South leaders should urge their son to go to work and lure and woo the masses with his achievements. Nigerians “don open eyes”.
The East – West Road which cuts across the entire Niger Delta and heads into Bayelsa, President Jonathan’s State, is the worst Federal Road in Nigeria, and Uduagha, Iburu, Clerk and co are talking of 2015.
Nigerian masses are too angry and nearing explosion and only waiting for the slightest ignition. So, please, nobody should stir this angry lot yet.
And while you read this, the twenty six members of the Imo House of Assembly (with the omission of Dibiagwu) are now inJohannesburg,South Africa, where they are “making” laws for Imo people.
Have you calculated how mush that has set back Imo accounts? Their flight tickets to and fro? Their Hotel Bills and estacodes, including “bush” allowance?
We are really in a democracy, and Imo people are seeing the dividends. May God keep us till next week Cherio!.
