WHY IMO NEEDS IHEDIOHA

The former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, will make a difference, argues Aic Akwarandu

In the past seven years, Imo State has witnessed the worst kind of leadership ever experienced since it was created in February 1976. What makes the situation particularly sad is that Imo people actually got what they wanted. In 2011, they saw a ‘Messiah’ in Rochas Okorocha who tricked everybody. From eating fried plantain along the streets to moving around on Keke NAPEP or riding on Okada, Okorocha played the kind of politics that could easily bamboozle those who did not know his antecedents. At that point, Okorocha was very vocal with his signature quote: “Politicians think about the next election while leaders think about the next generation”.

Despite being a famous quote by James Freeman Clark, a renowned American Theologian and writer, Okorocha appropriated it as his own and even mounted a billboard for the quote at Okigwe Road roundabout. As it would happen, the people of Imo did not ask questions about Okorocha who deceived the unwary. Today, we are all suffering for that wrong choice.

However, we cannot continue to lament that unfortunate episode. As the 2019 election draws closer, political parties have started the process of nominating the various candidates who will fly their flags. Therefore, it’s important to once again remind Ndi Imo about the true character of the man who has presented himself in all ramifications as the unity candidate. He is no other than “that Green Cap Man”, Hon Emeka Ihedioha, the former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives who Okorocha dreads.

The Mbutu Mbaise- born politician has remained consistent even after the 2015 election went against popular expectations. For those who monitored that election and had better knowledge of it, Ihedioha was coasting home to victory before some desperate manipulators moved in. By the close of voting on that very day, the results coming in from Orlu Zone, Owerri Zone and parts of Okigwe Zone placed Ihedioha on a very comfortable lead. It was over the night that some agents of darkness connived to subvert the peoples’ mandate. But in a way, I believe God wanted to use Okorocha’s second term to expose his true person. Now, Imo people can no longer be hoodwinked by those who eat corn on the street to secure their votes without any plan for them or their children.

The pertinent question therefore remains: As 2019 beckons, are we going to be accessing a candidate based on mundane things? For me, we should be looking at a candidate who has the capacity to transform Imo State, someone who has remained consistent with his message. Only Ihedioha fits the bill. In 2014, he met a large gathering of Imo leadership and critical stakeholders in all sectors and across all professions at The Jesus Never Fails Arena New Owerri, to present his manifesto, titled “Together we shall Rebuild Imo State”.

The sad news in Imo today is that four years after, instead of the document to lose some meanings, there is dire need to make more inputs while the old issues are still sustained. What it means is that four years after, instead of moving forward, we are going backwards. If anything, the stewardship of Okorocha has set the state back many decades and on that majority of Imo people are agreed. Ihedioha’s ambition is therefore borne out of his desire to begin to right the wrongs in the state, a task for which he is capable.

Since the end of 2015 election and even before then, Ihedioha has remained one of the consistent voices who have been speaking for the people. He has continued to speak against the bad leadership witnessed in Imo. Going forward, what the state needs is someone like Ihedioha who has not only remained on their side but has put together a strong team to change the fortunes of the state.

Meanwhile, it is on record that 40 per cent of passable roads in Imo today are those attracted by Ihedioha. The roads scattered around the state, especially in Ikeduru, Mbaise, Ngor Okpala, Ihitte Uboma, Owerri West-Ohaji Egbema, etc., were products of Ihedioha’s interventions as House of Representatives Deputy Speaker. If therefore elected the next governor, the state will witness what it means to have a man with capacity at the helm of affairs.

Given his vast experience in the executive as a former presidential aide in the executive and at the House where he mastered the art of law making, there is no doubt that Imo under the watch of Ihedioha will be administered with all level of decency and administrative decorum. And the people will begin to see the positive effects of governance within and around them.

So, for the people of Imo State, the search is over. No manifesto beats the one that Ihedioha parades. It touches all aspect of our existence as a state. It is simple, realistic but very tasking. Ihedioha’s priority is to serve the people diligently as he has always done. With him at the helm of affairs, Imo State shall rise again. Akwarandu wrote from Owerri, Imo State