Governor Hope Uzodimma announced in 2021 that he would publicise the names of those alleged to have been funding insecurity in Imo State. That pronouncement triggered unimaginable anxiety among some prominent people in the state. Stakeholders were accused of chasing shadows and not making efforts to tackle the security challenge facing the state.
A date, January 4, 2022, was fixed for the much-anticipated revelation. It would happen during a meeting scheduled to take place at the Sam Mbakwe Extended Exco Chambers of Government House, House, so it was said. Before then, the social media had already been awash with the news that the governor was going to mention names of his political enemies behind the insecurity in the state. As a result, there was palpable tension in the state capital.
Suddenly Governor Uzodimma changed his mind. He did not make the revelation as promised. Viewers who watched the event live on television were dismayed. But the governor’s action did douse the tension that had built up around Owerri.
Apparently Uzodimma chewed his words to avoid casting aspersions on other Imo politicians, an act that could haunt him in the near future.
He exonerated former Governors Achike Udenwa, Ikedi Ohakim and Emeka Ihedioha of any misdeed, but urged Owelle Rochas Okorocha to leave his administration alone now that he (Uzodimma) had taken charge.
Uzodimma’s supporters and representatives of the governing All Progressives Congress( APC ) were in attendance.
Also Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu; former Deputy Governors of the state, Chief Douglas Acholonu, Ebere Udeagu, Prince Eze Madumere and Chief Tony Chukwu; former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Acho Ihim;Â Â Imo APC State Chairman, Leo Stan Eke; McDonald Ebere and other political and religious leaders, as well as people from all walks of life were also present at the event.
The governor reeled out his achievements within the last two years in various sectors, such as agriculture, health, transportation, tourism, housing, education and others, to mention but a few.
Uzodimma also said that he had repeatedly maintained that some of the security breaches were politically motivated, pointing out that it was based on intelligence information at his disposal.
Meanwhile, Okorocha and his supporters are yet to settle for any political party for the forthcoming election. The former governor’s feud with Uzodimma is not supposed to linger unnecessarily, considering the fact that they are both from Orlu Senatorial Zone. While Okorocha, now a senator, is a former governor, Uzodimma was once a lawmaker that represented the district in the upper Legislative Chambers of the National Assembly. Peace and unity should be fostered for the sake of posterity.
One of the greatest challenges facing Imo, which should be tackled before the forthcoming general election, is insecurity. The staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (including newly recruited Ad-hoc workers at the commission), the electorate and aspirants might be living in fear and this may slightly paralyse activities during the period, if this is not properly handled now.
Governor Uzodimma was very careful with his choice of his words, perhaps to avoid being misquoted or escape litigation by anyone. There is an indication that he may decide to plant his men in strategic positions at the state and federal levels in order to deliver a second term for him in the next election.
It is now beholden on Owelle Rochas Okorocha and his son in-law, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, as well as Governor Uzodimma to unite and lift Imo to enviable heights politically.
The political elites in Imo are in support of Uzodimma’s policy of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Recovery. Apparently he has done well in certain areas and attracted criticism from the general public in areas where he has failed to perform satisfactorily.
It is expedient that the Imo APC should reconcile with its aggrieved members that had formed a coalition group and forge ahead for political progress. They should reach out to those who they deem to have gone astray politically and extend a hand of fellowship to them for the purpose of attaining excellence in the forthcoming polls.
The Daniel Nwafor-led group in the Imo APC should also reunite with other factions to ensure that the party emerges victorious in the state over the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and other political parties that will field in candidates for any elective position in 2023.  Whosoever that emerges next Governor of Imo should not fail to gear his policies towards the overall transformation of the state.
Imo is a state that belongs to everyone. It is advisable to make it the state conducive for all and sundry, especially for the purpose of development. Being security conscious is everybody’s business and it should not be left in the hands of the security agencies, who are only working according to architecture, alone.
The pull-him-down syndrome, illegal dismantling of political campaign billboards and related acts could be interpreted as symbols of hatred. They should therefore be jettisoned by any visionary, resourceful, focused and purposeful politician that is coming to render selfless service rather than to amass illicit wealth at the expense of the people of the state.
*** By Sampson Uhuegbu
