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Author: Njamanze Fidel
Posted to the web: 4/21/2011 12:56:52 PM

 

2011 ImoGubernatorial Polls: Governor Ohakim Beyond Electorates Redemption

 

 

Written By Njamanze Fidel

 

 

The governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakimwithout mincing words has made himself unlikable to majority of Imo people byhis untoward actions and inactions. Since the inception of his administrationin 2007, I have tried to restrain myself from constructively pointing out mygrouse with him hoping that he will turn over a new leaf but all to no avail.

 

 

The fact is he has earned for himself the notoriety of beinga political deceiver of the highest order. A point in view was when hepurportedly deceived Mr. President; Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan that he hasstarted rehabilitating the road that runs from Nkwala (one of the prominentweekly markets in Ngor-Opkala LGA), Eziama, Ntu, Umuohie, Umuneke (where thecouncil secretariat is located) and Ngwuru. This road forms a T-junction toOwerri, Okpala and Owerri Nta road apart from numerous junctions along thataxis. This T-junction is close to Ulakwo Junction and Park. It is about akilometer if you are coming from Ulakwo to Okpala and on the right hand side.

 

 

While the governor was coming back from the airport sometime ago, where he had gone to welcome the President, I gathered from areliable source that he pointed at the road that connects Umuneke, Ugwuru,Umuohie, Ntu, Eziama and Nkwoala to Mr. President as one of the roads he wasbuilding. It is important to note here that the construction equipment waspulled out of the construction site after the President had gone back to theseat of power, Aso Rock. The truth is that what Ohakim did was to rehabilitatesome dangerous spots along that road but this was not exhaustive, because fromUmuneke to Nkwola where there are also potholes were left unattended. Why?

 

 

This road was initially constructed by past military regime.The road, which is a state road, was later constructed and continued fromUmuohie Ngor to Nkwala Market by the current democratic dispensation. Thepresent state of the road is better described as deplorable not minding the lackadaisical,cunning and deceptive move by the Chief Executive in Imo state to rehabilitateit.  

 

 

What is most painful to me are the poorly executed roadrehabilitation projects that have been captured in Ohakimâ's campaign billboardjust to earn the votes of the electorates in addition to other irritatingattributes of his and flaws. For instance, the above mentioned road that leadsto Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area has been captured in one of his deceptivebillboards located at that strategic T- Junction. Initially, “Ochina falsehood”wanted the whole world to know or believe that the road was to be dualized butthis was not to be as the road project was abandoned before it could get tohalf a kilometer. My heart bleeds for most rural based Local Governments Areasand its inhabitants in Imo State especially NgorOkpala Local Government Area as there is virtually nothing to lift theirdampened spirit up.

 

 

Is it our roads; which in great state of disrepair, schoolstructures; which are a shadow of their former self, youth empowerment; whichhas taken flight, health centres; which are crawling on their knees. While somestate Governors have initiated free education in their various states by evengoing the extra mile of providing free sandals, exercise books, school uniformsand bags to pupils and students of both primary and secondary schools, what issaddening is the increase in school fees of undergraduates who attendUniversity of Imo State (IMSU) by Ohakim administration. The effect of theincrement is gnawing of teeth by most parents who struggle too hard to pay thesaid fee which is allegedly put at one hundred and fifty thousand naira. 

 

 

Ohakim should as a matter of urgency borrow a leaf from thegovernor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi, Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State,Sullivan Chime of Enugu, Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State etc.

 

 

Again, it is most sad to observe that a federal road thatruns through Okpala, Eziama, Nkwala Market and Amala to Rivers Statehas also been captured in Governor Ohakimâ's political campaign billboard as oneof the roads he has constructed. However, this is one of the twenty firstcentury nauseating falsehood being peddled by Ochina what I do not know.

 

 

With various allegations of misdemeanor; abuse of a man ofGod, his subjects in the person of Samuelson Iwuoha and MrsElizabeth Udoudo, inability to develop rural areas for socio-economicactivities, litany of corruption related petitions, deceptive politicking andso on, I do not nurse any doubt in my mind that Ohakim would be an irredeemablegubernatorial product to market to the electorate in Imo state as he has shothimself in the leg.

 

 

Jude Ude commenting in an article with the title “GovernorIkedi Ohakim: The Example Of Ondo State Government  written by one Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha, Jun07 2010  said, “The fact that IkediOhakim is worse than DEJI is not in doubt. We have an acclaimed 419ner, looter,criminaland a public enemy as the Governor in Imo State.We all know that the powers that be in the PDP are protecting this fool, butfor how long they will do it, then we are waiting to see. I have always saidthat no amount of falsehood or campaign from people like Steve Osuji, KennethUwadi, Obi Okereke, Sam Uzowum, Dr. E Dibia and Mr. J. Onyeakoh can succeed inselling or imposing this impostor, criminal and 419ner on the good people of Imo State.They tell us that Ohakim has achieved heaven and earth in Imo State,but they have never succeeded in substantiating their claim.”

 

 

Prophecy: What I do know for sure is, your investigation bythe appropriate authority may tarry, but the petition dossier on your corruptpractices is in a safe place for future action. By the time the lid to your canof worms is opened, either by EFCC or ICPC, your fate may be worse than JamesIboriâ's.    

 

Njamanze Fidel a political activist andcommentator write from Ihite, Imo State