EXCITING NEWS: TNG WhatsApp Channel is LIVE…
Subscribe for FREE to get LIVE NEWS UPDATE. Click here to subscribe!
By Hamilton Odunze
It was Winston Churchill who said, “No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.” Churchill captures with this statement the view that democracy brings with it the good, the bad, and the ugly. Take for instance Imo State.
Anayo Rochas Okorocha became the Governor of Imo State, albeit through democracy, yet he turned out to be a revealing example of how democracy is not all-wise. The people, especially in a society without the fundamental structure that makes democracy successful, can be hoodwinked into voting for the wrong person. Eight years down the road, it is now obvious that Rochas Okorocha was the wrong person.
It does not matter who you are, what your party affiliation is, or on what side of the political or intellectual spectrum you fall, it is easy to see that Imo State is in an Okorocha-induced coma, waiting to be revived.
He has significantly polluted and distorted people’s trust in democracy as a valid system of government. Yet, for many of us who discern and drill down on issues, the effects of Rochas Okorocha on Imo State go deeper. For example, it gives us an insight into what may happen in a Biafra nation.
Unless there is a deep-rooted and well-developed method to deny people such as Rochas Okorocha a political platform, Ndi Igbo may end up worse off than they currently are even if the dream of a Biafra nation materializes. That is why many of us are not so easily convinced that achieving a Biafran nation is a panacea to the problems we face. But this is a topic for another discussion.
For now, the focus should be on the healing of Imo State. The good news is that vicissitudes of Rochas Okorocha can be reversed if Ndi Imo stay vigilant and meticulous throughout this election period. Let us understand that this is not a time to take things for granted or act on selfish interests. It is a time to act as the proverbial wise he-goat that would not be deceived twice. There are many lessons to glean from the vile reign of Rochas Okorocha in Imo State.
The most important lessons, however, are political. We should be skeptical about politicians who offer us instant gratification to win our votes. That was precisely what Rochas did when he ran for Governor of Imo State. But beyond this, it is also important that people understand how to evaluate political candidates. Our future as a people depends on it.
So that Imo State may heal, it is important that we go back to the basics and live out the truest values of the Igbo identity. It is in living out our truest values that we gain the utmost integrity. Incidentally, these values will also guide us to the right candidates in the coming election.
For instance, in choosing the next Governor of Imo State, we must understand how fortune favored the candidate. In other words, these pivotal questions must be asked: How did the candidate make money? How has he or she helped shape Imo State economy either as a private citizen or as a public servant? The truth is that if you have not done the little you can with the little you have, chances are that you will not do much when more is entrusted into your hands. Also, it’s important that the person who will be Governor of Imo State possess tested managerial skills.
There are qualified individuals in the current pool of candidates running to be Governor of Imo State. But in the confusion and cynicism, it is easy to overlook these candidates or lump them all together. For example, Mr. Frank Nneji has the potential to be an excellent governor and can facilitate the healing of Imo State after eight dreadful years of Rochas Okorocha. Why do I say so? I will explain in a moment.
But first, let me caution you that this is not an endorsement. Rather, it’s my opinion of a man I have had few interactions with but have observed intensely from a distance over a period of years. Mr. Nneji started Rapido Ventures many years ago. Through hard work, perseverance, and admirable managerial skills, he transformed Rapido Ventures into a vast business empire, ABC Transports.
Mr. Nneji is steadfast, deliberate, and purposeful. Over the years, Mr. Nneji has refused to join politics simply because he likes to keep a low profile, but the fact that he has joined the race at this point excites me for two reasons: Mr. Nneji epitomizes the true Igbo spirit of hard work and integrity, and he also understands the importance of developing and keeping small businesses in Igbo land. This is why the headquarters of his company, ABC Transport, has remained in Owerri despite having the resources to move to Abuja or Lagos. His intention to run for the Governor of Imo State is also an indication that trends are changing. It shows that well-meaning individuals in Igbo land are gradually recognizing the masses’ despondency in politics as usual.
If the Igbos want to be engaged in the discussion about restructuring Nigeria from then it’s important that we support candidates such as Mr. Nneji not just in Imo State but across the board. Supporting such candidates is a very strong political statement to make.
Hamilton Odunze