to be part of this series to unveil the eleven Imo sons and daughters that will take Imo State to the land flowing with milk and honey in 2015.
Some contributors contended that the lucky eleven ought to be unveiled as soon as possible in order to give Imolites ample opportunity to assess and choose among those that qualifyto earn their votes for the governorship seat of the State in 2015.
For the upteenth time, I told those who hold on tenaciously to such opinion that the time for such has not come. And I have concise reasons to do so.
I maintained in my last episode that the task of selecting eleven Imolites for the number one job of the State is a serious business. It is an onerous responsibilty. Those conversant with my style will tell you that I endeavour to be meticulous in whatever I do and this exercise to ensure that my dear State gets the best in 2015will not be an exception.
If it took a year for Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi to mould a team that restored Nigeria’s rating as king of soccer in Africa by wining the Africa Cup Of Nations in South Africa last January, then why should we be in a hurry to choose those whom we shall entrust our economic survival and political direction in the next four or eight years.
The first two previous piece on this issue extensively touched on some yardstick to be used in choosing those who qualify for the eleven slots. At the same time, I pointed out that the exercise will not be restricted to only those who have publicy declared their interest to contest. I also stressed that it will acomodate those whose body language in recent times has shown they want to aspire for the governorship seat of the State.
Let me however, point out that exercise is devoid of sentiments and political hullicinations.
I must admit that contentious issues such as the Imo Charter of Equity has continued to resonate in this discourse. Majority of those who sent in nominees strongly argued that the Charter ought be a basis to select the lucky eleven.
To be candid, this gave me an insight that the restoration of the Imo Charter of Equity which was disrupted when Owelle Rochas Okorocha emerged as Imo State Governor in 2011 remain uppermost in the minds of the ever conscious Imo electorate. And the earlier it is addressed or rectified, the better it will augur for the ever curious Imo electorate.
Much as this exercise is driven by the unflinching quest to ensure that the best of the lot aspiring for the exalted office gets to the seat of governance of the State in 2015, it has come to my knowledge this exercise will not be complete if certain political considerations such as the Imo Charter Of Equity is not allowed to form part of the the nucleus and crux of the exercise.
I also observed that despite the burning desire shared by majority of Imolites on who should take the mantle of leadership of the State, the contentious issues of zoning cannot be wished away. And I do agree with such postulations . It is the sing song of Owerri zone. Now Okigwe zone has joined the fray, agitating that the much talked about Imo Charter of Equity will remain distorted if the zone is not allowed to complete the tenure of Ikedi Ohakim whose four year reign was cut short by Okorocha’s defiance of the Charter.
Also, I took note of the fact that the pluralistic political configuration of the State is soley responsible for this zoning stuff. The concept of zoning remains strong in our physche and political consciousness. And for it to be wished away is almost impossible at this point in time. I think this will occur only when our people attain a certain level of political sophistication. For now, it is almost mission or dream that is impossible.
However, the selection continues. I must say that the response has been encouraging. The SMS and the emails from Imolites on this subject matter are really encouraging.
It is only disheartening that some of the intending governorship aspirants for the 2015 guber race in Imo have not been forthcoming with their programmes and policies for the State. It is astonishing that some do not have any economic roadmap for the State at all. And this underscores the fact that some of them are either gallivanting about their aspiration or merely pulling political stunts just be noticed.
I was stunned when one of the governorship aspirants told me it is not yet time for him to unveil his Unique Selling Points to the Imo populace to scrutinize.
To say I was stunned with his feeble statement is an understament, I was taken aback. My brain went on a mental strooll as I wondered what manner of aspirant that craves to govern a complex State like Imo will not be ready with his roadmap to tackle myraid and multi faceted problems bedevilling the State barely a year to the next general elections. Call him an unserious aspirant or a political comedian you will not be mistaken.
Please continue to send in your nominees on 08066605375. We are one step close to unveiling the lucky eleven. Read on.
