OKOROCHA IS IN A WRONG PARTY, THE WRONG TIME AND AT THE WRONG PLACE

First, let me most sincerely start by apologizing to all of you who missed the BIG TRUTH last week. I missed in action last week and I am really sorry for that. It was as a result of a certain circumstance that came up which was beyond my control. Meanwhile, I received torrential calls from a large spectrum of the fans of this column enquiring why I couldn’t writ last week. Some were even funny to have insinuated or expressed a very serious suspicion which may not be necessary to say here but I however assured and reassured them that what they thought was far from the reality. There were few others who called to find out whether if I am actually healthy or not. I appreciate your concern but the truth of the matter is that I am hale and hearty. It is just that I had an urgent assignment that unexpectedly took me out of the state, occupied my time and thus couldn’t allow me the benefit of time to really settle down to write. So I am sorry for that break in transmission last week. It was not deliberate. I also thank you for staying tuned. So let’s now take this flight together.

Actually, the theme of this week’s sermon wasn’t the package I initially had in mind. I decided to talk about it based on the same views expressed by the erstwhile Governor of Abia state Chief Orji Uzor Kalu in his interview at the daily Sun Newspaper of Thursday 18^th September 2014 concerning our Governor Rochas Okorocha. After reading through that, I got interested and aligned myself with his postulations. I now decided to add my voice to it not that my views would change the already difficult situation but at least for the interest of posterity.

Now, I was among those who did not receive the news of Governor Okorocha’s defection to APC with hysterics that it generated at the formation of the party last year August. In fact, I knew then that the Ogborko Ideato South born politician who said he was born an Igbo, grew up in the North and empowered by the West had made a monumental political mistake. I knew he had taken the wrong route in his political voyage. All the reasons he adduced then being his reason (s) for leaving APGA that is generally seen as an Igbo party fell flat before they were given and did not convince the lest discerning. However, after a thorough consideration of the peculiarities of Igbo politics visa viz that political miscalculation, you will recall that I quickly came up that time with an Article titled “APC DEAD ON ARRIVAL IN IMO”. I had advised the Governor to immediately revise himself to his former party APGA. Or even his former former party (PDP) or his former former former party (AA) before it is too late since he is an expert in this type of politics of abandonment as I felt that would lessen the unnecessary and avoidable controversy and hatred majority of the people of South East had on APC. He ignored that altruistic advice but now, I know this basic reality had downed on him. Since that time, he was said to have made a futile effort to rejoin PDP but was blocked though he had consistently denied it.  Recently, he also was alleged to have opened channel of discussion with the national Chairman of another political party for an accommodation in that party in order to prosecute his 2015 election perhaps just to run away from the APC stigma and curry the favour of his friend President Jonathan who has sworn never to have anything to do with any body in APC.

In any case, I do not want to be seen as crying more than the bereaved but why some of us keep drumming it in the ear of the Governor of this obvious political blunder is just for him to know that it is not always good to be inconsistent with membership of political parties and also we want to be counted as those who once told the Governor the unadulterated truth about the likely thing that will happen very soon. Otherwise, what is my business whether the Governor joins 10 political parties in one year or not. After all, he is already a Governor enjoying the dividend of his office and of course acquiring properties here and there.

APC as a political party, I keep saying it is not adequately penetrating in the South East over one year since its formation. A lot of impressions are being created around APC whether real or imaginary is what I cannot fathom and a lot of people are buying into it. And that might be the reason why it is only Governor Rochas Okorocha and also it is only in Imo state that the party APC is being heard with some degree of noise in the entire length and breath of the five South Eastern states. Equally, this may be the reason why some people are feeling concerned why our Governor is wasting his time and Imo money trying to propagate the party in Imo state. All efforts he made in the past to take APC to other sister state in the South East met brick wall. Right now, they said Governor Okorocha is giving or plans to give one million naira each to all the 36 state in the country every month for a reason I don’t know my brothers and sisters.

However, this is about the first and the only time since the history of the formation of political party in Nigeria that a party is formed and over one year later, almost all the leaders of Igbo nation are avoiding the party like a leaper. I stand to be corrected. In Enugu, Ebonyi and Abia states, I am yet to hear of any notable political leader in those states that is member of APC. In Ananbra state, it is only Senator Ngige that is a ‘notable’ leader who is a member of APC. Senator Annie Okonkwo has long left the party. In Imo state, Governor Rochas Okorocha and Senator Osita Izunaso are the only two commanders with fair whether followers. Honestly, I don’t know who put the Governor in this temptation of abandoning APGA, the only party that gave him his first ever electoral victory after many futile attempts in other parties. It is just a matter of few months now for him to begin to appreciate the facts which I am laboring myself to express here.

As a result of this lack of political insight, the Governor inadvertently, secured for himself some avoidable enemies immediately he dumped APGA and moved over to APC in the name of being the foundation member of the party. Right now, he has the president who, no doubt was greatly instrumental in his enthronement as Governor in 2011 to contend with in 2015. In addition, he also has his arch, original and highest opposition PDP to contend with in 2015. Also, his aggrieved former party APGA members who he left on the cold are threatening fire and brick stone, the political elites that he sidelined in the affairs of the state since he became Governor are all there and he has them  to contend with in his bid to return in 2015. Another group that he is not in their good book as a result f his membership of APC is his colleagues, all the Governors of South East. There is no single Governor from the South East that is Governor Okorocha’s friend and that is why he is always absent in their meetings. He is literally at war with Abia state Governor T.A Orji. Governor Willy Obiano inherited the sour relationship that existed between Okorocha and his benefactor and former Governor of Anambra state Chief Peter Obi. I don’t know whether he see eye ball to eye ball with Martin Elechi of Ebonyi and Sullevan Chime of Enugu states. So this is dangerous politically. What about the Anambra mafians like Arthur Eze, Emeka Offor, Ifeanyi Ubah etc who all came here in Imo state and assisted him in becoming Governor in 2011 but who are today his political enemies as a result of his membership of APC?.  This is just to mention but a few. So, I think bearing any future occurrence, when the chips are down as it will soon, the Imo state Governor will be fighting from all fronts.

Out of his usual showmanship, the Governor of this Eastern heartland lobbied and he was made the Chairman of APC Governors’ forum which is now showcasing him as leading the main opposition against his friend President Jonathan even when he knows the enormous constitutional powers of the president and also knows that the Governorship election would come two weeks after that of the president. Do you know what that means? Let those who have sense reason. If I were him, I should have stayed put in APGA and support the president for the sake of his position in 2015. Ca he fight all these array of political titans in Imo state in 2015? Well, maybe he has the magical wand. It is possible but no doubt, the Imo state Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha is in a wrong party given the political peculiarities of the Igbo nation and also given the long drawn battle between PDP and APC. I don’t think that Owelle Ideator needs to belong to a party that is antagonistic of the president because of the titanic political war he is going to face in next year’s election in Imo state having been surrounded by political enemies. Let him learn something from Peter Obi. A lot of people are not happy with his administration while there are many who seem to be with him now because of the lucre that comes from the government but are only waiting for the time of election. Ladies and gentlemen, there is fire on the mountain.

Anyway, for now this is about the size of our message for today. Until next week when I come your way same time, same medium, please keep partnering with this exposition in our commitment to allow TRUTH triumph over falsehood. And hopefully, it is only the same truth that will set us free. Ka Chineke mezie Okwu.

By Modestus Nwamkpa

The Ohakim we never knew

By

Ifeanyi Amos

His Excellency, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, the Former Governor of Imo State, deserves that title. In character, vision and action, after Dee Sam Mbakwe, he is the true governor, that has ruled Imo State, since it was created in 1976.

Ohakim is a complete intellectual; Author of many books and Apostle of the knowledge industry. He is therefore, a leader with the inclination for the foundation, propagation and flourishing of ideas.

He is pragmatic. He dreams up an idea. He visualises it. He articulates it. He formulates the tactics and strategies to fecund that idea. He goes ahead to put it into action.

He is confident. He has a solid character, having grew up and weaned by a humble and disciplined family with integrity. He is conscientious; he is God-fearing in the true sense of the word. He is hearty and compassionate. He cares about his family. He cares about his friends. He cares, very deeply and with a reason, about the welfare, goodwill, progress and prosperity of the people of Imo State. His people and truly; they are his people, for whom he has worked for all his life and will continue to work for and serve, all his life.

Ikedi Ohakim is a honest man. He is not a man that will deceive people, his family, friends and associates. He will not deceive the people of Imo State, his people and primary constituency. He will never deceive the people of Imo State for any reason, whatsoever on Planet Earth. When Ohakim was elected as the Governor of Imo State in 2007, he was already a wealthy man of means.

He was a Management Consultant and technocrat with a flourishing clientele and several business interests in Nigeria and overseas. He came to lead Imo State, not to rip-off his people. Nor, corner their commonwealth-money, lands, properties or investments; nor buy out the investment interest of the people of Imo State, through shady deals and fronts, and become richer. Imo people remain poor (like some people in his position are now doing).

I have interacted with Ikedi Ohakim over several years, very closely, indeed. He has two homes in Imo State. His palatial Country-home at Isiala Mbano, which many governors in and after office cannot afford, was built in the 1986, several light years before he came to government. Throughout his four years in government as governor, Ohakim did not add any block to that edifice, nor paint, nor extension, or even a garage. The complex has remained the same while and after his adventure in government. He did not enrich himself, by embezzling the money that belongs to Imo State, to develop that property. It is still the way he built it, more than a quarter Century ago. He did not steal government money to buy land, land and more lands, in his village or in Owerri or elsewhere in the world or buy hotels and acquire more hotels and guest-houses or begin hotel projects, so many in Imo State; allocate government fund for the project, the project takes-off. At the foundation, the project is abandoned, the money worth several billions of naira disappears into thin air! Are you listening? Ohakim did not do that and can never, ever do that. He is not a thief or gangster or dubious governor, who gives one to Imo State and takes three for himself and family!

Ohakim’s other house, is in Owerri. It is a small house to accommodate him whenever he is in town to do business, meet his people and associates. Those are the only two residential properties that I know he has. I can vouch for him, the innuendo, rumour or speculation if you like, that people have circulated and still do that Ohakim has hotels in South Africa; he has a refinery in Jupiter or Mars are all lies and figment of imagination of the authors.

Ohakim does not need those things. He is not greedy and kleptomaniac like we see around those in government in Imo State. They want to acquire all the properties of Imo people, all the lands, all the houses, all the hotels, all the markets for themselves and their family. Ohakim cannot do that, he is pious, contented and well-brought-up.

The good people of Imo State, I have before me as I write this piece, a book titled: “LEGACIES THAT SPEAK VOL. 1”. It is  authored by Ikedi Ohakim: the man of the moment. It is beautiful. It is glossy. It is produced in the best quality print and material. It is engaging and must-read. It is written in vintage, classical, lucid prose-style; the kind of publication you expect from Wole Soyinka, William Shakespeare or George Orwell. It contains facts and figures of his dream, vision and achievements as true, I mean TRUE Governor of Imo State between 2007 – 2011. It is amazing to say the least.

It was unveiled to the public last Saturday, 6^th September, 2014, at a ground-breaking, colourful and well-attended event, graced by PDP stakeholders: youths and adults, men and women, at his lavish Country-home (built with his own hard-earned money, not stolen from Imo State Government). It was a veritable political carnival!

It is a visibly high quality publication, in content and production; legacy, as it is, of Ikedi Ohakim publications and projects: solid, beautiful, useful, people-oriented, intellectual and valuable for the digestion and education of his people: Imo people, who he has loved so much and will continue to love and cherish and serve, truly from his heart, soul and body, all the days of his life.

Going through that book from the stable of the Grand-master of Imo State politics and development, I am astonished at the mountain of achievements; of the man we can, once again, truly call the Governor and leader of the New Imo State. These achievements, dream and vision were largely unreported, infact, concealed from the people of Imo State for obvious reason, and indeed, mischievous, wicked and clandestine mechanizations, manipulation and gimmicks of his traducers, who claim to be messiahs, who hide under the cover of broad smiles from the teeth, not from the heart, to deceive the people of Imo State and deny them the blessings and favour that God Almighty has allocated to them.

Now, for the avoidance of doubt, let me quote from Chapter I: IN RETROSPECT, of this master-piece of a book: “There was a yesterday in Imo State, that yesterday provided a huge opportunity for the government of Governor, Ikedi Ohakim to redefine governance in the state and send a clear message of our potentials and possibilities under a credible leadership as against “bubuyayaa” and “Itantiology”.

Yet, another quotation from the PREFACE of this 21^st Century treatise: “The NEW FACE OF IMO AGENDA” of the Ohakim’s administration delivered on promises in line with the measurable development indices based on the strategic pathways and logical frameworks of the new face development plan.

“Infrastructure development policies were not determined or predicated on cosmetics or populism but purely re-creative programmes supportive of real growth and economic value”.

Oh yes! You have heard that Ohakim’s government, was not based on cosmetics; build government houses and infrastructures with cheap labour and cheap materials, or populism or of Keke riders, who are graduates, but have no job provided by government, who end up as ‘Keke riders’ prowling the streets for passengers, who bleed in their hearts to pay the fares because, their businesses and therefore, their income are collapsing! There is poverty in the land of Imo State today.

Ohakim’s projects, were not conceived, planned and executed at the Bush-Bar in Government House, with the Governor wearing Knickers and riding bicycle to the bar to meet his Commissioners, Advisers and Contractors; and issue contracts with the word of mouth; not Tender Board, no tender, but to anybody that smiles to him!

Imo state today is ruled by a civilian cavalier, who issues orders, decrees, and contracts from his knicker pocket! Therefore, in simple word: there is no government in Imo State today. What Imo people have, is an emperor who hyponitises and brainwashes his people and keep them under spell! They don’t see, they don’t hear, they don’t complain, they don’t cry or smell anything because they have no eye, mouth or nose to do so. All have been sealed.

During his tenure, Ikedi Ohakim had a grand dream and vision for Imo State. He conceived a Master-plan for industrial development of Imo State, with several functioning industries to manufacture goods and services and create wealth and thousands of jobs for unemployed Imo youths, roaming about the streets.

Ohakim is the only Governor that knows about the Master-plan and technology, for comprehensive drainage system for Imo State, having understood that the topography of Imo State is a valley.

Ohakiim planned a Petroleum Refinery for Imo State, to utilise the enormous oil and gas deposits buried in the soil of this God’s own state.

Ohakim planned an interlocking connectivity of roads and bridges with several flyovers within and outskirts of the city of Owerri, to ease traffic congestion.

By 2011, water taps in houses and streets were gushing out clean water like Victoria Falls.

But, all that dream and vision was truncated, in 2011 by a Hurricane; call it Catherina or Janet if you like. The Hurricane came, initially like sweet breeze of the Bar-Beach in Lagos. Then, gradually, it became harmful and totally destructive.

What Imo State has become today is simply put: a Ghetto; I mean, a slum. The water taps are as dry as the desert; not even an Oasis anywhere. The roads are constructed today, tomorrow, you find potholes and gullies everywhere. Traffic jams are now as constant as the Northern Star!

The flyovers, conceived by Ohakim, are being scratched with wheel-barrows and shovel, instead of giant Cranes and Earthmovers. No idea how to go about it.

The free-education programme, that was manipulated and used as a gimmick to chase Ohakim out of office, is half-baked,  deceitful and strange. Teachers are recruited into the classrooms without basic training in educational psychology and skills. Many of them have no idea how to write Lesson Notes. They are there to teach what they don’t know.

The free school uniforms, imported from China or Taiwan, perhaps, when local tailors are idle, have become eye-sore. School children wear one school uniform for three years! No replacement.

All the promises of free books, school bags, and shoes have become mirage. They have become unfulfilled promises, to deceive Imo people to win votes.

So, Ikedi Ohakim is on his way back to Douglas House to finish what he started. He will chase the deceits and kleptomaniacs out of the place. He will restore the lost Glory that has been denied Imo people, by a government that build houses and roads with inferior materials; the savings, nobody knows what has happened to them.

Ikedi Ohakim, will surly return! In Part II and Part III of this three-part serial, you will read about the fraud that has become Rescue Mission. You will read about the dream and vision that Ikedi Ohakim had for Imo State that was lost: stolen by enemies of the State, who came to government, not lead and develop the state, but to feather their own nests.

It is explosive, it is revealing. It is vintage! Keep a date with me, please.

Ifeanyi Amos, is a Journalist and Media Consultant, based in Owerri

PICTURES OF THE AWARD OF DOCTOR OF HUMANE LETTERS (DHL) from the European-American University to Dr Sandra Duru- Eluobi and her wedding to Mr Eluobi.

SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS TO DR SANDRA DURU - ELUOBI

The Ambassadors for Good Governance of Nigeria;

The IMO Progressives;

The CONGRESS of IGBO NATIONALITIES



"SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS" (triple congratulation! on your wedding which took place on the 2nd off August, 2014, your birthday on the 16th of August, 2014, the Doctorate Award which took place on the 23rd of August,2014)


Dr. Sandra Duru - Eluobi


The AMBASSADORS for Good Governance of Nigeria, heartily rejoice with you and your numerous admirers on this new award.


Dr. Sandra Duru - Eluobi, is a Public Relations Expert, a Psychologist, a Diplomat and a Human Rights Ardent.


She was the cynosure of all eyes, as a magnitude recipient of DOCTOR OF HUMANE LETTERS (DHL) from the European-American University.


An investiture held on Saturday 23rd August, 2014 at the University of Lagos, Nigeria.


She was honored alongside many dignitaries and Elder Statesmen, Royal Fathers, Director Generals of Federal Government of Nigeria, great achievers in the world of Politics and Business.