Ihedioha’s glowing years

March 24, 2025

By Sonny Ogulewe

Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha, foremost lawmaker and former Governor of Imo State has turned 60. For his large army of supporters, associates and admirers, it is a worthy new dawn, understanding that this indefatigable leader has over the decades dedicated his life to serve the nation and humanity.

Born into the family of Pa Green Ihedioha in the sprawling Mbutu community in Aboh Mbaise local government of Imo State in 1965, Ihedioha exudes uncommon leadership attributes of good character, honesty, discipline, forthrightness and vision .These exceptional values define and shape the profound success he has manifested in the murky political firmament of Nigeria.

It is on account of these inherent values that his support base is ever increasing. His exceptional qualities manifested largely when in January 14, 2020, the Supreme Court unjustly cut short his tenure as Imo Governor in the most controversial circumstance that drew national and international condemnations. He took the festering sore with philosophical calmness and patient optimism.

At 60, Ihedioha has evidently demonstrated competence and far-reaching results in top political positions he has occupied in the executive and legislative branches of government. For instance, in his seven-month tenure as Imo State Governor, he delivered exceedingly, excellently and eminently turning out to be one of the best Governors in Imo history.

Akin to Bill Clinton who inherited a disoriented economy from George Bush senior in November 1992 and turned it around within a short time frame through pragmatic visionary leadership inputs and realistic reforms, Ihedioha effectively set a ruined socio-economic trajectory of Imo on transformative course within 100 days in office.

At inception of his administration, Ihedioha defined his vision and mission for the state. His vision although ambitious was to enthrone strategic reforms capable of making Imo one of the top three most developed state economies in Nigeria by year 2025 and to rank within Africa’s top ten economies by year 2030

His mission was clear, laudable and feasible: “To rebuild, reposition and transform Imo into a modern ecosystem for education, agriculture, industry, tourism, culture, sports, human capital development, science and technology”. By the time he was brazenly and mischievously forced to step down, he had laid foundational structures for critical sectors of state to recover.

Specific and verifiable instances suffice. Deeply alarmed by the poor state of Imo infrastructure, within 100 days in office, the Ihedioha- led administration mobilized contractors to commence the reconstruction and rehabilitation of more than 25 intra and intercity roads

Under Ihedioha’s watch, Imo security architecture was reinforced by establishing a joint task force, code named Operation Irongate. Besides, smart agricultural development scheme was facilitated through the launching of sustainable agro roadmap. Ihedioha’s administration commenced multi-billion Naira upgrade, rehabilitation and equipping of technical colleges and set up visitation panels to identify the challenges of the higher institutions in Imo towards improving the standard of education at that level.

The Ihedioha-led administration launched health insurance scheme, anti-retroviral therapy and established Health Insurance Agency to liberalise and reduce the cost of health services. Payment of pensioners’ entitlements was reinstated after many years while workers’ salaries were increased and paid regularly.

The Rebuild Imo Administration ensured the release of full monthly financial allocations to the 27 local councils and introduced Treasury Single Account, revitalised the procurement process, reinforced ease of doing business desk and guaranteed .the independence of the judiciary and the legislature.

The outcomes were fascinating and far-reaching. The Internally Generated Revenue scaled up from N250 million to N1.2 billion as at January with prospects of skyrocketing. The National Bureau of Statistics and other relevant international development agencies that appraised the 36 states of the federation including Abuja in corruption honoured Imo as the least corrupt state in Nigeria. Imo was also recognized as the state with the fastest growing economy by Business Day newspaper.

At 60, Ihedioha remains the first federal lawmaker to progress uninterruptedly to the highest leadership hierarchy of the House of Representatives. For the twelve years he lasted in the House, Ihedioha occupied the positions of Chief Whip, Deputy Speaker and ultimately, Speaker.

He played a leading role in the redefinition of the House legislative agenda which significantly transformed the institution. This made Ihedioha to be likened to the two United States lawmakers – Robert Wagner and. Arthur Vandenberg – who in 2004 were recognised as among the five most outstanding lawmakers in US history because of their exceptional legislative inputs.

At the start of his political career during the short lived third republic, he worked with the then Deputy Senate President, Senator Albert Legogie, of the blessed memory as a press officer. At inception of the fourth republic, he served as special assistant media relations to Senator Chuba Okadigbo when he was Senate President and later worked as special assistant on politics to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar while on seat as Vice President of Nigeria.

He was deeply involved in the formation of the Peoples Democratic Party in 1998 and played a vital role in nurturing and consolidating the party. But he pulled out of the party with his inexhaustible list of supporters and associates on April 23, 2024 citing absurdities inherent in the party and its weak and compromised state to undertake credible and virile opposition.