Last November 23, I wrote an article entitled, “Imo is in the hand of God.” It was my impression on what happened when Governor Rochas Okorocha’s bid to have his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, get the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) crumbled. It was an intervention underlining the fact that there is always the God factor in the politics of the state, by design or accident.
I had traced the history of Imo politics and leadership, from Achike Udenwa, who became governor when only a few gave him a chance, to Ikedi Ohakim, who came from nowhere, as it were, to land at Douglas House of Imo State. I also talked about the making of Okorocha’s governorship. And I concluded by saying that, as God had done it in the state in the past, there were indications that He would do it again in the governorship election.
My position then was: “The happenings in Imo APC, therefore, are nothing other than the hand of God. They have nothing to do with the political savvy of Senator Hope Uzodinma, the APC governorship candidate for Imo State. It has nothing to do with the personal agenda of APC chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, to stop the emperorship of Okorocha. It is not about the doggedness of Deputy Governor Madumere. It is simply the hand of God. God heard the prayers of Imo people for Him not to allow one man decide the fate of everybody and take His glory. God did not want Imo people to worship an unknown god and, therefore, caused the political earthquake that is about to stop Okorocha’s evolving political dynasty.”
Indeed, the outcome of the Imo State governorship election has shown that power comes from God. In the making of leaders, men may propose but God disposes. In Imo, men did all their political calculations and shenanigans, but God decided to make a king, who may not be perfect but who serves the purpose at this point in time. Yes, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, has emerged winner of the governorship election in Imo State. He is the chosen one, who would be in the saddle to pilot the affairs of Imo State for the next four years, starting from May 29.
Ihedioha is the winner, but he should not attempt taking the glory of what happened in Imo State. The glory, as I said earlier, goes to God. After God, Imo people, who, in one way or another, said enough was enough regarding Okorocha’s governance, deserve kudos. Next to be thanked are some people who became tools in the hand of God for the accomplishment of Imo’s political emancipation. Such people include Deputy Governor Madumere, who stood up to his boss, Okorocha, to say it was wrong for the governor’s son-in-law to be his successor. Although he also had an eye on the post of governor, the fact that he rejected an offer for a senatorial ticket and fought Okorocha has given him a place in the hall of fame. In fighting Okorocha, he lost all. He suffered unpaid salaries and allowance, withdrawal of perks of office/privileges and others.
Also, the Imo people should thank Senator Ozita Izunazo, Senator Ben Uwajumogu, Araraume and others who fought in one way or another. Nobody would explain how the APC political structure was taken from Okorocha, a sitting governor, and handed to Uzodinma, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senator who joined the APC a few weeks before the party’s primaries. How did Uzodinma outwit a governor to win the governorship ticket? How did Uzodinma and others who worked with him become the favourites of the APC national leadership, to warrant the support of Oshiomhole? These are political studies that should be done, for people to understand what really happened in Imo State.
Imo people also have journalism to thank for the change that has happened in the state. Journalists stood up against the Okorocha plot, with articles and analyses, which, no doubt, sensitised the people. By their expose, the implication of what the governor wanted to do sank in the people’s consciousness. Imo people were, therefore, well educated on the matter and subsequently mobilised.
However, while Ihedioha, the PDP, the APC members opposed to Okorocha and the entire Imo people are rejoicing, it is pertinent to tell the governor-elect some bitter truths. Ihedioha should learn from the political mistakes of Ohakim and Okorocha. In 2011, Okorocha came to power on the crest of populism. At that time, the Imo people wanted a change of governor. Ohakim had fallen out of favour with the people and there was an intensive push for him to go. Okorocha was, therefore, seen as an alternative. He was taken as a substitute for the then governor, whose future political relevance got blight.
During the election that produced Okorocha, people voted and stayed to defend their votes. Everybody was determined to frustrate manipulation. And when the result was released and Okorocha won, there was dancing in the streets. The celebration frenzy saw youths pulling and tearing down Ohakim’s billboards and posters in Owerri, the state capital. They wanted everything that represented Ohakim to be erased.
The fact that history repeated itself eight years later showed that Okorocha disappointed the people. In eight years, the goodwill that brought Okorocha to power was blown. The man, who was the favourites of all in 2011, became a villain who was identified with by only his cronies. He is leaving office diminished in the eyes of Imo State more than he came to power with. He may still become a senator, but he may never walk freely in Imo.
Ihedioha should know that the cane used to flog the first wife would be hung above the fireplace for the second wife. A pattern has already been set in Imo. Governors who mess up badly are sent out in the most ignoble way, as seen with Ohakim and now Okorocha. Therefore, the governor-elect cannot afford to goof. He should resolve to work for the people, work with them and respect them. He should know that the power he would exercise came from the people and that he is holding the mantle of leadership in trust for the people. He should not betray the trust and confidence the people have in him, as doing so would be with some consequences.
Some people, who are, though, happy about the outcome of the Imo election, have expressed some reservations. Some said Ihedioha is arrogant. Others said he talks to people anyhow. Yet others said he is disrespectful when power gets into his head. I would not judge him, as I cannot do a character analysis of him, having not worked or associated with him closely.
However, if it is true that he is arrogant, by omission or commission, if it is true that he talks down on people, and if it is true that he disrespects those he feels are beneath him, this is a time for change. As a governor, much is expected of him. As governor, he is the servant of the people. In his world now, the people should come first. He should be less controversial.
Ihedioha should not, no matter the temptation, relegate Imo people, in particular, and Igbo in general to the background in his politics and actions. He should not sell the birthright of Imo people and Igbo for a mess of porridge. He should not allow himself to be sucked in by the opulence of office such that he sees himself as another breed. He should be fair to all, those who voted for him or against him. He should genuinely work to lift Imo people and the state. He should not neglect the people or individuals who helped him ascend the ladder of success, even as he makes new friends. When he does these, and many more good things, his would be a government people would be well pleased with.