Thank God for Technology. If not, I would not be reaching my readers this morning, as I write from a hide-out kilometres away from the state. This followed assassination attempt on one of our Columnists, Prof Protus.
Four gunmen stormed his house at World Bank Owerri, but luckily he was away and his visitors left a message with his children and mother inlaw that they came to chop his hands off for writing “rubbish” about the Government. They promised to come back to finish the job.
And the three Publishers of this Newspaper noticed that they were being trailed also. And it is only a tree that will hear it would be cut off and still remain at a spot.
But all these security threats flying around in the state is unfortunate, because I believe that bravado and brutality have never solved any problem in life. Even wars have not.
It is true that Newspapers and writers may once in a while hurt some people or group just like every other profession, but the Courts are there for redress; that is after the Newspaper and the writer have refused to apologize or recant the story.
The bombing of Dele Giwa could not stop constructive criticisms in Newspapers. The murder of Baguda Kalto could not stop Abacha leaving office. The killing of Chris Imodibie in Liberia could not stop Charles Tailor ending up in jail. The Apartheid regime in South Africa murdered Steve Biko and others, yet today the Blacks are in power there. And so on.
Therefore violence, brutality, including outright murder has never solved any problem. That is the reason despite the criticisms in Newspapers, Televisions, Radio, Social Networks of the Goodluck Jonathan’s regime, there is no incident any where that the President has sent assassins after journalists.
However, writers at all times should be careful of the choice of words they use, and must be sure of their facts, including hearing from all parties involved.
Before I digress, the imbroglio between the Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha and his Deputy, Sir Jude Agbaso has unveiled a lot of surprises to the shock of many Imo people who in 2011 saw the combination of both men as the final solution to taking Imo to utopian height and elder-ado, which Ohakim and his party PDP, could not attain. Today, the Imo electorate know better.
At least, the shame the “internal quarrel” between both men has brought to Imo is legendary. Open the Newspapers, the Radio and Television and go to the Social Networks and all you hear and read is about Imo State, known for its peaceful nature.
Is it under this tension and mistrust that the investors from Kosovo and other European Nations would storm Imo to set up their businesses? I had said it earlier that whether we like it or not, it will never be the same with Okorocha and the Agbasos.
Rather than take the whole scenario as their fate, Martin Agbaso and his brother Jude have decided to give Owelle Okorocha the fight of his life, which at the end of the event one group or both would be bruised.
Already, the Government of Imo State has been Balkanized between those in support of the Governor and those working for the Agbasos. Every top Government official now, from the Personal Assistants to even the Secretary of the Government, SSG, would watch what they say, to whom they say it, and how they even move around.
Appointees who came through the Agbasos will be under surveillance, while Okorocha’s men will distance themselves from the Agbaso group. Remember, gossip and blackmail thrive in high quarters in Nigeria.
Many people, since this trouble started, have made quick money from both quarters. Some, in the bid to show their total loyalty and support to both camps would go out of their ways to play sycophancy to the highest level.
And if I may ask, what happens to the wife of the Deputy Governor, who is an Adviser to the wife of the Governor? Does she still go to work after her husband had accused his Boss of plotting to remove him? Can both women be on same page when their husbands are at each other’s jugular?
Please, is it under this condition that the engine room of Imo Governance will continue to steam? Is it possible for this Okorocha’s regime to achieve more before quitting office, under this unimaginable scandal uncertainty?
Mind you, now that Jude Agbaso has gone to court, the impeachment procedure will surely stop until the court has determined the fate of the matter. And you know how long the engine of justice in Nigeria grinds.
In order words, Okorocha must continue to “manage” Jude Agbaso as his Deputy so as not to flaut court order. Under this circumstance, would Okorocha delegate serious assignments to his “Deputy?”
Or will Okorocha move Agbaso’s jobs to another trusted Aide who may be representing him in various assignments he used to send Jude before? We watch out and see, as this is just the beginning of the matter, because Okorocha cannot sack Agbaso again until the court exhausts the issue.
I think the development has thought both the Agbasos and Okorochas a great lesson that nothing is permanent in life. But my only worry is that our politicians have completely refused to learn.
Did the Agbasos ever think that the cozy relationship between them and their “brother” Okorocha would ever head this way?
For me, I had noticed the crack on the wall since. I began to notice that Chief Martins Agbaso’s presence around Okorocha was gradually getting scarce, since after they traveled to Kosovo with Senator Osita Izunaso.
Recall that Chief Martin Agbaso of all people was not present at the last birthday of Gov Okorocha which could only be compared to the wedding ceremony of Emperor Bukassa of Central African Republic.
As the guns were booming at the Heroes Square Owerri with Babangida, Abdusalami Abubakar, Morgan Sangarai and others present, I pointed out to my reporter after filling his story, that Chief Martin Agbaso was absent on this great occasion.
I remember vividly that when the present House of Representatives was inaugurated, I saw my Big Bros, Martin Agbaso storming the Chambers with Okorocha, that it would only take an experienced Nigerian to dictate which between them is the governor of Imo state.
Also, Chief Martin Agbaso was in Lagos, like a Siamese twin with Okorocha, when he received the Federation Cup trophy won by Heartland Football Club of Imo state. This was the level of relationship with both men before the bubble burst recently. The devil is really at work.
Although the Deputy Governor, Sir Jude Agbaso has told the world that 2015 is the main cause of the whole saga. That Okorocha promised to do one term and hand over to Martin, who will then give him a Deputy as he did with Jude. The present scenario should serve as a point of sober reflection for both camps. It is only God who gives a promise and keeps it because He remains the same yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever. Is that same with humans? The world is dynamic and human nature changes with environment and day to day developments.
So, was Chief Agbaso that naïve to think that Okorocha would have obeyed the agreement to the letter as if between him and Okorocha, Imo has gotten a conclave on how to rotate the seat of Governor?
No matter how the entire scenario plays out in the end, I still have high respect for Chief Martin Agbso for his doggedness, and fighting spirit on a course to its conclusive end no matter whose ox was gored.
However, where people, particularly the Owerri zone hold anything against him was in the area of distributing political appointments in the Okorocha administration.
Although Martin said that Okorocha chose candidates and only gives him to endorse. And he would not want to remove any body’s name since it amounts to indicting that Owerri person. But it still revolves around Chief Agbaso to let the Governor know that it would serve political expediency for the appointments to be spread out to catchments areas, for when the time comes for renewing of mandates during elections and at times like this.
For instance, it was not fair for Sir Jude Agbaso to be Deputy Governor, Commissioner for Works, and the wife Special Adviser in the same administration.
Such a folly has never happened in the history of Imo State before. Recall that Chief Agbaso’s uncle is also a Commissioner.
This development rankles most Owerri people who quipped that Agbaso should carry his cross now, since he never deemed it fit to remember any other part of Owerri North, talkless of entire Owerri zone for appointment while the romance with Okorocha lasted.
I think that was a mistake on the part of the Agbasos, but the recent imbroglio has opened their eyes, and I am sure that Chief Martin Agbaso has learnt his lesson, and that will not happen again. No one is perfect, and his critics should judge him from hence on and see if there are no changes.
Some one said that Gov Okorocha may have done the appointments in Owerri zone to whittle the political reach of the Agbasos, but I still maintain that they have the right to correct the wrongs abinitio.
And for Owelle Okorocha, he has lost confidence in his Deputy. Even not at the beginning of this squabble, but now, since Jude has exhibited some acts that will always make Okorocha see him as a “suspect”.
Okorocha was shocked that Jude would react the way he did. He took the young man from Emekuku for granted following his urbane and easy-going mien. He thought Jude would have simply said “Thank you your Excellency, for the opportunity given to me to serve Imo, so far” and walk away. So, he under rated his American trained Deputy. The guy has resolved to fight for his right through legal means. And he is ready to follow the battle to a conclusive end.
The Governor, by now would be disturbed by how far what he thought would have been a simple project is going out of hand. If not for the Agbaso saga, Imo people would not have believed that Owelle could approve the payment of a short road contract for billions of naira, and even over-paid a dubious contractor said to be just a hotelier in Jos, who knows next to nothing about road building.
If not for the Jude Agbaso saga, Imo people would not have heard the name of the quiet and unassuming wife of the Governor, and her brother being mentioned in contract awards in the state.
How would the people have learnt that the Governor’s relations are those in-charge of contract Awards and payments in some cases, projects that never even existed, while Imo people are reeling in hunger making sacrifices in the spirit of “Rescue Mission”, while the progenitors are lining their pockets with loots and easy lucre.
Not that Okorocha has done what nobody ever did in Nigeria, by allocating even the entire state funds to his family and friends. Far from it!
The shock is that in 2011 when Okorocha was begging for votes from the people, he came like one who has the magic wand to change things for the better. He came like an Angel, with white Robes asking the masses to repent as the Kingdom of God was at hand.
Okorocha told the people that he will cry and laugh with them. He said he would use every kobo coming into the state for the people. He even promised to use his own personal money, if need be, to make Imo state a Mecca.
But unfortunately, the Agbasogate has dazed Imo people into reality, and exposed the rots going under belly of the state just 20 months of the Okorocha administration. And more shocker are underway, if the Agbasos carry out their threat to open up the Pandora box. We are yet to see a scratch of this whole scandal. More are underway. Imo is reeking of a mess ever witnessed before. No wonder Joseph Dina of JPross wants Imo state for dinner.
