Good and sincere Writers put their thoughts out as directed them by the spur of their inner soul, and in most cases the predictions come to pass.
Nearly a year ago, after Owelle Rochas Okorocha won his election as the Governor of Imo state with tumultous euphoria among the Imo populace, I had written a piece then captioned “Ohakim, not the first and not the last”.
In that piece, I had cautioned then Governor elect to tread softly, and not be carried away with the “Nzogbu Nzogbu” attitude of Imo populace, warning that, soon the same fate that befell his predecessor, Dr Ikedi Ohakim, may be his lot as he become customary of Imo politics.
I even gave an example with De Sam Mbakwe, the irrepressible former Governor of Imo state. I had said that if De Sam Mbakwe could be so infuriated by his traducers to the extent that he retorted “if Mbakwe is not fit to be governor of Imo, is your father or mother?” who then are Ikedi Ohakim and Owelle Okorocha?
In that piece I had also advised Owelle Okorocha not to be too hasty in condemning his predecessors, since he was yet to assumes office and may be too quick in his judgement, as only experience can put him in the same stead with his predecessor to make his gauge.
Since after that piece, I had written too many other ones where I commented on various issues concerning the policies of the present administration, and the good people of Imo state.
I did not writes those topics to spite the present administration, but as a social commentator who sees issues from the prism of a writer that must speak the truth, no matter the number of people who see reason with me with a particular issue at a particular time, knowing that the greatest arbiter is time.
I was away last Tuesday when calls started flowing in from Imo state that I should race down to the state Secretariat and witness first hand, where Imo workers were booing the state Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorcha. I could not, because I was outside the state.
Immediately I arrived Mbakwe Airport the next day, I headed to the Newspapers stand and picked a copy of Nigeria Newspoint Newspapers with the screamer “Imo Workers boo Okorocha, reject redeployment”.
My heart skipped and I said to myself “Too early”. The only time I saw Ikedi Ohakim booed was at Odenigbo Governorship debate organised by Bishop Obinna, and that was Ohakim’s last months of his four years in office. So I said why would this happen to Gov Okorocha just eleven months in office. I then remembered my piece which I referred to earlier in this write – up.
I was not there, but after reading Newspapers I discovered that what led to the “booing” was because Okorocha had planned to post some redundant workers to their Local Government Areas, but they were afraid that Okorocha’s successor may abolish the fourth tier government, which his administration is creating, just like he abolished the Development Centres created by Udenwa, and adopted by Ohakim.
This is what I call the burden of leadership. No leader ever can think of punishing his subjects and therefore introduce obnoxious policies so that the people will suffer. Never. It therefore follows to say that the various policies now being initiated by Gov Okorocha is not to punish the masses, but to improve their lots.
But unfortunately, everywhere in the world, especially in Africa, the masses hate innovations. They hate experimenting over new models that can change their conditions, instead they rather prefer living in the poor and present conduction, accepting their lives the way they are, than making a move that may be tough at the beginning, but better in the end.
This was what hit the nail on Ikedi Ohakim’s administration in Imo state. Our people preferred frying akara on top of stinking gutters. And when you urge them to exhume the dirt beneath their shanty shops, for a better tomorrow, they will revolt. This was the same way, Citizen Samuelson Iwuoha revolted when he was asked to remove his Kerosene Tanks blocking the gutters. He instantly suddenly became an Activist and hero. And today he holds a plum position in the current administration.
But when I advised and spoke from experiences having worked in a strategic position in government for years, that Owelle Okorcha should be careful with Imo populace because they are erratic and unpredictable, I was ambushed and nearly killed. But this will not stop one from commenting on political issues concerning Imo.
That is by the way. Not minding the current hot air in Imo, Gov Okorocha should continue whatever he thinks is good for the greater benefit of Imo people, no matter whose ox is gored.
Governance is usually not as easy as assumed by those “outside”. If Governor Okorocha hears what Imo people are saying about his projects, he will call them ingrates.
Take for instance the Fourth Tier Government, which his administration is pursuing vigorously. Yesterday I visited my mechanic who is one of the die – hard followers of Owelle and he was telling me the trouble the election of President General, Community Speaker and youth leader is causing in his hitherto peaceful community somewhere in Ikeduru Local Government Area.
“What of these gates? Can’t the money be used to do other things that would benefit the common man?” my mechanic was asking me, and I stared at him as if I was a deaf.
I told him that much as I don’t know for which use it would be put to later, but I asked him to wait and see, because the Government cannot be building all these gates without bearing the good of the people at heart. But he insisted that it was not the culture of Imo people to cage them with gates everywhere. I reminded him that it will improve the security of the state. But one Mr George Ikpe thundered, “Did these gates stop armed robbers from invading a Bank near Police, SSS headquarters and near Government House? At this juncture I could not say a word again, because I could not cry more than the bereaved as those confronting me are Owelle die – hards.
These scenarios are what governments everywhere in the world face, and that is the reason every in – coming administration must be diplomatic while taking its predecessors to the cleaners in order to sway the sympathy of the electorate.
Haven said that, it is clear that Owelle Okorocha is out to change the face of infrastructure in the state. I have always said it that you cannot come into Imo state and say nothing is happening in the state, just like no one knows if the Jonathan regime has started at the federal level, after 11 months.
The only problem with the Okorocha Government is the disconnect it has with the people and the administration cares less about this important romance that ought to exist between government to the people.
There should be aggressive enlighten of Government programmes to the people. It is pertinent our leaders realise that they need the people more than the people need them.
The attitude of “they should know” is becoming obsolete in the present emerging societies.
When you ask, they say that Owelle administration is in a hurry and therefore does not care about protocols. But no matter how busy or in a hurry you are, protocol and information management are very important in every organisation, especially in Government.
For instance, by now the government should have told Owerri residence the reason for the construction of gates at all entry points in the city. If not, insinuations and rumour may take over the peoples thinking.
Is it true that the gates are for collecting toll fees for all vehicles operating in Owerri on a daily bases? The people need to know. And this is where public enlightening comes in.
Government should not assume that the people should know and rest on it oars, while the rumour mongers feast on the peoples psyche.
