By Emeka Alex Duru
(08054103327)
With the Supreme Court dismissing an appeal to review its earlier judgement which ousted Emeka Ihedioha as the governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma’s stay in office has been firmed up, at least in the next four years, barring any unforeseen. But that is perhaps, where the euphoria ends. For the governor, there is work ahead. Truth be told, Imo is in bad shape. In some instances, the state is likened to a mismanaged entity on account of a ravenous leadership class that has presided over its affairs since 1983.
On creation in 1976, Imo held out great hope for its people. With an enterprising middle class economy and determined rural populace that attained great feats through communal efforts, the state announced early enough that it was a work in progress, hence it prided itself as Land of Hope. In many respects, this firm determination to hold its own, resonated loudly. It was not for nothing that the state-owned football club, was named Spartans – a reflection of the persevering and undying spirit of the people. Within the four years of the glorious Sam Mbakwe administration (1979 – 1983), Imo had blossomed, overtaking some states that had been created earlier.
However, since the military take-over of 1983 and subsequent contraptions up to the current civilian dispensation, Imo has not had it good in area of political leadership. But by far, the period that could be regarded as symbolizing the years of the locusts in the affairs of the state, were the administrations of Ikedi Ohakim (2007 – 2011) and Rochas Okorocha (2011 – 2019). Within this time, the state went down in essence and reputation to the point of being an object of ridicule in some quarters. The lull in development was so bad that a funny analogy was made of Imo being a Flag that was hoisted at full mast by Mbakwe, lowered by Achike Udenwa and trampled upon under Ohakim and Okorocha. The situation was really, that bad.
Ihedioha had shown flashes of reversing the trend in his seven months in office. But that era is gone. Eyes are now on Uzodimma to unfold what he has for the people. What he may have working for him, is the luck of leading a people who do not solely depend on the government for everything. The unusual can-do spirit of the average Imo citizen is legendary. In 1981, faced with acute transportation system to and from the state, Mbakwe mobilized the people and built one. The administration did other things that made Imo the envy of others and a pride to the citizens in the four years it lasted. That was the Imo Spirit at work. That is their pride, any day, anywhere.
At individual and other levels, the people are not lagging behind. Imo, for instance ranks tops among the states with the highest number of Professors of different fields in the country. Annually, it counts among states with highest number of candidates sitting for competitive examinations. In the last 10 years or more, Imo has consistently featured in the league of the first 10 states in WAEC and JAMB examinations. Same feats are replicated in other walks of life by the people. At local levels, giant strides are being recorded in communal development.
The lesson in all these, is that in Imo, there is a reservoir of hands and brains willing and ready to take the state to the next level. It is the leadership that has been lacking all the while. This is the task before Uzodimma. To be sure, the controversies surrounding his path to power, may not fizzle out in a jiffy. For those that did not believe that he deserved to be the governor, the air of suspicion may still linger. But as I stated in an earlier piece, the government, is his. The choice is also his, to make history.
Instances abound of leaders who took off in controversial circumstances but ended up writing their names on gold. A case in the neighbouring Anambra easily comes to mind. In 2003, Chris Ngige, the Labour Minister, was hardly the choice of the majority of the Anambra electorate. Peter Obi of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), was the man for the race. With the abysmal performance of Chinweoke Mbadinuju administration in the state, PDP was loathed by many. Though the party denied Mbadinuju a return ticket and settled for Ngige, the politics of his emergence and antecedents of those backing him, further alienated him from the people.
It was therefore, not difficult to understand why Obi easily won at the polls. But in line with the impunity of the Olusegun Obasanjo presidency, Ngige was declared the winner. It took three years for Obi to reclaim his mandate. Within the period, Ngige went through many challenges. Apart from the court of public opinion which was not initially in his favour on account of his dubious emergence, he found himself at the crossroads with his erstwhile godfather, Chris Uba on one hand and on the other hand, the Obasanjo presidency. He was even kidnapped, at a time.
But in the midst of his tribulations, Ngige pitched camps with the people. Through massive infrastructural development and manifestation of focused leadership in many fields, especially in extensive network of roads across the state and other engagements, he found himself on the side of the masses. By the time he was removed by the courts for Obi, he was already a hero. That singular glorious outing has continued to carry him ever since.
Uzodimma can take a cue from that. Administering Imo cannot be a difficult task for any governor that means well to his office. There has not been any record of any Imo man or woman, seeking to be fed or given money every day by the government. The people are rather known for their spirit of enterprise and independence. Their demands from their leader, are simple. They are, sincerity, transparency and commitment. Mbakwe met their requirements and they offered him loyalty. Uzodimma can also do so.
