By Ogu Bundu Nwadike
Obsession, going by the definition of the Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary, is “the state in which a person’s mind is completely filled with thoughts of one particular thing or person in a way that is not normal.”
Though there’s the notion of something negative about the concept of obsession in real life, it’s a universal phenomenon. Everybody has one thing or the other to which he or she is obsessed.
Mine is continuous writing for the advancement of the Rebuild Imo government! What’s yours?
However, there’s still that thing that makes obsession a negative concept. And that must be the practice of going beyond the ordinary concentrated thought about something or someone to displaying weird emotion and psychological behaviour to the thing or the person.
Take for instance, the agitation by the immediate past ex-governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha that His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha should apologize to him because the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) stated that Imo State under Gov. Ihedioha is the least corrupt State in Nigeria.
Ex-governor Rochas Okorocha also agitates that credit for the declaration by the NBS should be given to him and not to Gov. Ihedioha.
The demand for apology from the governor and the request for the credit to be given to him, leaves a strong feeling of acute obsession with everything that concerns the Government of Imo State.
A catalogue of the numerous overt and covert expression by Rochas, with deep interest and burning desire to still remain associated with the day-to-day workings and running of Douglas House, will confirm that it is simply weirdly obsessional.
Full six months after he left Douglas House, the seat of power in Imo State, Ex-governor Rochas Okorocha still finds it extremely difficult to accept that he’s no longer the governor of Imo State.
Like a person challenged by infractions, Rochas still look back to answer at the mention of Imo State. He condemns every single statement or action taken by Governor Ihedioha.
For Rochas and Company, Governor Ihedioha can never say or do anything right. They daily activate their unsolicited supervision, monitoring and evaluation of the running of Imo State, particularly in whatever was said and done by Governor Ihedioha.
Who will constantly remind Rochas that he’s no longer the governor of Imo State? Who will explain to him that all Imo State owes him is the same respect that Governor Ihedioha accords every Imolite?
Could somebody out there tell Rochas that while his opinions are respected, his will and wish about the government and governance of Imo State are now in care of Governor Ihedioha for acceptance or rejection?
It’s really an obsession that Rochas still wants to bend or bow to receive garlands and awards meant for Imo State. Rochas is obsessed with power and authority and all that goes or comes with power and authority!
All his expression of gross obsession with the office of governor of Imo State confirms that truly Rochas never wanted to release his grip on Imo State and her seat of power. Hence, he did everything humanly possible to get third term by proxy of his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu.
That failed bid for third term and the confirmation that he’s no longer Imo governor, beats Rochas’ silly just like the ooze of the fart of a tapper beats a hunting dog stupor.
He can’t believe it’s true. He must from time to time ask whether it’s true that Douglas House has been wrestled out of his iron fists by Imo people by the grace of God!
As Rochas is claiming a clearly explained survey rating by the NBS and UNODC that Imo State is the least corrupt State in Nigeria since under Gov. Ihedioha, so he contests everything else being done well in the State by the governor.
For instance, when in July 2019, Gov. Ihedioha paid the N500 million counterpart funding to get back to site the World Bank/Association of International Development/ NEWPAP project on erosion control at Ezemazu Urualla Community in Ideato North LGA, Rochas descended like a famished hawk to claim the credit and glory.
Then also, in August 2019, when after paying the requisite counterpart funding, the Rural Access Mobility Project (RAMP), estimated at about N13.8 billion for the reconstruction of 380 kilometers of rural roads, was reactivated by Gov. Ihedioha, the ex-governor dived out like a lion to claim the credit and glory!
Some of the roads being fixed by Governor Ihedioha have been claimed by Rochas, who mock and ridicule the governor, while claiming that he attracted the road projects. Ditto, Rochas claims credit for the efforts of Gov. Ihedioha that has made possible the restoration of public water supply in Imo State.
Ironically, Rochas disowns the rotten and decayed roads in Imo State, the rotten and decayed Government House, Governor’s Lodge and Deputy Governor’s Lodge; and the rotten and decayed Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri that Gov. Ihedioha inherited from him! Why doesn’t he claim credit and glory for those?
Ndigbo say that the bird a hunter sees in the nest owns the nest. Gov. Ihedioha is the duly elected governor of Imo State. He’s the chief executive officer. He’s the chief security officer. He calls the shots. The buck stops on his table.
Governor Ihedioha takes credit and glory for everything good in Imo State and suffers backlash for everything bad in Imo State. It may not matter when a project was initiated. Once it’s completed or delivered in the tenure of Governor Ihedioha, he takes the credit on behalf of Imo State and Imo people.
The earlier the ex-governor, Rochas Okorocha, understands these simple truths and keeps off anything pertaining to the Government of Imo State, the better for him.
It’s just hoped that there’s somebody out there that he listens to, who can explain the situation clearly to his understanding!
Let Rochas leave Imo State alone! Let Rochas leave Governor Ihedioha alone! These are thoughts for food!
.Nwadike, the special assistant to the Imo Governor on Research, writes from Owerri.
