IMO POLITICS AND ITS ATTENDANT EFFECTS ON OWERRI ZONE

IMO POLITICS AND ITS ATTENDANT EFFECTS ON OWERRI ZONE

By Ifeanyi Chilagorom

                                

Imo State as I see it today is not what every promising indigene of the state wishes it to be. The Imo of our dream is an egalitarian state which guarantees equity, fairness and social-justice; adequate security; socio-economic growth, development and other dividends of democracy. But unfortunately, we have usually fallen into the incompetent hands of which majority of those living within the state are glaringly suffering it today. I therefore, advise and encourage every Imolite - home and abroad to come together for us to save our beloved state.

In the past, Imo State was always the first in education and sports development. But today, the story is different. Imo was the best in cleanliness; standard road network and other infrastructural development. But today, it is no more what it used to be. It is unfortunate to note that the well-functioning hospitals in the state are owned by individuals. Imo State could not boast of pipe borne water for the past seven years.

The good questions we ask ourselves are: How did we get here and what is the way forward to liberate the entire State from such unbearable plight? Which way forward for Imolites to have a breath of fresh air?

As a matter of fact, Imo as a State has been handled by story-telling; excuse oriented and greedy administration. We have unfortunately seen ourselves in the hands of selfish people who are ready to do anything in the quest for power and wealth.

Imo State was governed by Orlu Zone through Chief Achike Udenwa from 1999-2007. After Udenwa, Chief Ikedi Ohakim of Okigwe extraction changed the baton of administration. For the sake of equity and fairness in the system, the next governorship after Okigwe Zone should have been from Owerri Zone. But due to several issues in the State between 2010-2011, the masses were only after any candidate to take over power from Ohakim by all means and never considered its effects.

This as a matter of fact, robbed the good people of Owerri Zone the opportunity of providing the next governor as it were. Unfortunately for the people of Imo who thought the 2011 APGA candidate from Orlu Zone was the right man or "Messiah” to rescue the State, as it has turned to a total regret to good Imolites. The candidate they thought to be a “Messiah” has finally turned against them. That is why the good people of Imo State, Owerri in particular are under this predicament. Imo Governance should not be a family affair as it is today. This was not what the masses bargained for. But who says such a mistake cannot be corrected in 2019?

Though there is what I see as a devilish effort to rob the good people of Owerri Zone their opportunity come 2019. That is why we make clarion call to the good people of Owerri Zone and every Imolite who believes in equity, fairness and justice to rise against such conspiracy. The good people of Owerri Zone are proud to have vibrant; well-educated; able and capable; God fearing and kindhearted men and women. We have men and women who know and understand the actual problems of the state. We are proud to have grass-root politicians who are capable of making greater impacts in the society. We have tested and trusted sons and daughters who really know the immense challenges facing our dear State.

Therefore, let us be united in order to achieve our aims, because divided we fail and united we shall conquer. The good people of Owerri Zone should be wiser and do well to present credible candidate come 2019. Let us avoid politics of hatred and arrogance. Let us say NO! to pull-him-down politics. It is a thing of joy that Owerri Zone is blessed with competent men and women in the political field. But there is no way everyone will be a governor at the same time. We have better candidates than other Zones, but the problem is lack of oneness.

It is very unfortunate that lots of our sons and daughters sell their conscience because of money. They now use our own people against us. Our traditional rulers now prefer gifts of cows and brown envelops to the growth and development of communities. Our unemployed youths are being used as political touts and thugs against us. Our women are even used against us as they are dressed and paraded daily as campaign nuisance.

What shall we tell our future children that caused us to lose our right? What shall we tell them we were doing when other Zones especially, Orlu governed Imo State for Sixteen years?

As the holy bible says, “a house divided against itself shall not stand". Let us avoid witch-hunting our own brothers and sisters. Rather, we should emulate others who do well to promote their own, whether good or bad. Let us avoid selling out our sons and daughters to outsiders just because of naira or kobo. Iro okpuru ulo akariala na Owerri Zone. Why do we always hate ourselves and prefer to love outsiders? 2019 is the right time for us to unite as one to produce a better Imo Governor because Imolites need a breath of fresh air.

But with the way I see hatred and false accusations here and there, I pray the good Lord help us not to miss this great opportunity. As a matter of fact, Imolites need a BREATH OF FRESH AIR because Imo State is really dirty and smelling. We can not boast of quality road in Imo State again. The rate of kidnapping; armed robbery and other atrocities is nothing to write home about. Owerri as the capital territory lacks all the basic amenities and our retired fathers and mothers die daily out of no pension to take proper care of themselves. Where do we start my people? My heart is broken and bleeding. 

THE MONKEY WE GAVE WATER HAS TOTALLY REFUSED TO GIVE BACK THE CUP.

LET US DO WELL TO SHAME THE ENEMIES COME 2019

LET US SAY NO TO INJUSTICE IN IMO STATE

WHAT SHALL WE TELL OUR FUTURE CHILDREN?

#WeStandForEquityFairnessAndJustice