A Letter to my Governor - Ikedi Ohakim
May 7, 2008 by 
Che Oyimnatumba
Dear Sir,
With great reservations, I address you as my governor. These reservations are hinged primarily on the appeal against your election by the duo of Hon. Uche Onyeagocha and Senator Ifeanyi Ararume. Be that as it may, you remain the governor till the Court of Appeal rules otherwise. Whatever be the ruling of the court, the people of Imo state knows whether you won the election or not.
Your Excellency, I did not vote for you, but when news about the transformation you are doing in Imo state, through your Clean and Green: the new face of Imo, I was excited that indeed something can come out of nothing. Further readings about your pet project, made me wonder if you are a fluke. I made a trip to Owerri, to see for myself, if these journalists are not merely sitting in Lagos, Abuja etc, receiving fat brown envelopes from your image makers and parroting a glowing tribute to you.
I have been to Owerri. To put it mildly your Excellency, Imo state is not “walking”! What I saw on ground, gave me reasons to question the award given to you by ThisDay Newspaper. I have expressed my earlier findings in an article By The Bank of Nworie, published at Which Way Nigeria
I want your Excellency and his image makers, who are chanting clean and green; to visit the following streets, take a close peep at their gutters (1) Royce Road, IMSU Junction through Wethrael Round About to Dan Anyiam Stadium; AMA JK by Tetlow; Orlu Road; Ikenegbu- Aladinma(from Cherubim end); all the streets in Owerri Nchi Ise. From the west end of Royce/Lagos Street though old Nekede Road (the stream under the bridge is as dead as Nworie); to NTA; IBC; Concorde to the state secretariat, grasses have eaten up the place, effectively giving green colour to the state. I shall climb ugwu ekwema and nakedly apologise to you, if your image makers can show these gutters to be functional.
These gutters indeed represent the clean and green slogan of this administration. The waters are stagnant and green. None of these gutters above flow. They are condusive breeding grounds for mosquites and other vectors that makes rubbish the painting of the walls of Owerri, white and green. If cleanliness is next to godliness, Imo state if far from the “gods”.
If the dog can do this to her child, how much more the son of an antelope? The outskates of Owerri are dump sites. There is an LA primary school, belonging to TTC Irette. This primary school, housing primary 4, have been eaten up by refuse. Same applies to Amakohia- Akwakuma; Oji, with her untarred roads is no better. The conceived new Owerri (Umuguma) is a grave yard of dinosaurs. Even Akabo through Atta (Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyawu’s home town); Ahara Junction, Isiala Mbano (Ohakim and INEC Maurice Iwu’s home town), are all eaten up by green grasses and refuse.
Another interesting observation, is the sprouting of green umbrella by the walk way. I learnt that you descended with El-rufai zeal to rid Owerri, of roadside shops, demolishing and terrorising people. Despite your “shakara”, you merely sold a dog to buy monkey. The enforcing of use of green umbrella, does not in anyway, make it less than street trading.
My governor, I shall not point you to the fact that there is unemployment ravaging Imo state. Your education Commissioner should have told you that Imo state has the highest number of Jambites, yet there is no commensurate employment after graduation. Furthermore Sir, the increasing crime rate in Owerri, is a source of concern. As you know, these petty criminals have graduated from bank robbery to kidnapping, revoking the memory of Imo under Obicheozo, Amamze and co. (Otokoto era)
Sir, I gathered through the grapevine that your inability to move fast and decisively to solve these problems is because of your uncertain mandate. I disagree. All your profiling by your image makers, point out that you admire Mohammed Ali the boxer. Asking you then to take a lesson in boxing or re- watch Rumble In The Jungle won’t be out of place. The underdog is the greatest achiever. It is the stone which the builder refused that becomes the Chief Corner Stone.
Your mandate may be challenged, but within this past one year (May 29th 2007-2008), you have had the chance to engrave your name in gold. Late Awo wanted to merely rule for 24 hours. Furthermore, Machiavelli advised the prince, that it does not matter how principality is acquired but what counts is how you maintain your principality and subject your subjects towards attaining peace (dividend of democracy).
Ngige with stolen mandate in Anambra did well and would have won a free and fair election in Anambra, if not for the Supreme Court.
| 2.5 |
‘RESPONSE TO A LETTER TO MY GOVERNOR -IKEDI OHAKIM’
IKEDI OHAKIM WITH HIS STYLE OF LEADERSHIP ,IT WILL NOT BE A MISTAKE TO SAY THAT HE KNOWS WHERE THE SHOE PINCHES THE PEOPLE OF IMO STATE.WHAT THE GOVERNOR NEEDS FROM IMO PEOPLE AND NIGERIANS IS ENCOURAGEMENT AND NOT BASELESS CRITICISM.OHAKIM IS WALKING ROUND THE CLOCK TO PUT SMILES ON THE FACES OF IMO IMO PEOPLE.
SINCE THE GOVERNOR ASSUMED OFFICE IN 2007,THERE HAS BEEN PARADIGM SHIFTS IN AREAS OF DEVELOPMENTAL PROJECTS SUCH AS THE ROAD,CIVIL SERVICE AND SECURITY.OHAKIM HAS ALSO QUICKENED UP THE ECONOMIC PACE OF THE STATE.MAJOR CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES ARE TODAY PUTTING FINISHING TOUCHES TO ROAD CONSTRUCTIONS IN IMO STATE.MBAISE ROAD,ORLU ROAD,OKIGWE ROAD,OBOWU ROAD,MBANO ROAD,MBERI ROAD ARE TOUCHED.IN THE AREAS OF EMPLOYMENT AND TRANSPORTATION,IMO PEOPLE ARE ALSO HAPPY WITH GOVERNOR OHAKIM.
(Kenneth uwadi is The Publisher and Editor in Chief of Famous People News Magazine selling in Nigeria.kenneth uwadi is fom Mmahu -Egbema Imo State)
IS IKEDI OHAKIM THE IMO STATE MESSIAH?
Chief Dr Ikedi Ohakim,holds BSC in Business Administration,MSC in marketing and PhD Degrees.His acension to the political leadership of Imo State ,Nigeria under the PPA flag on may 29 2007,to say the least,was indeed Godswill for the people of Imo State.Imo is a State in South East of Nigeria.Imo State has 27 Local Government Areas.
Ikedi Ohakim with his Style of leadership,it will not be a mistake to say that he knows where the shoe pinches Imo people.within the last 365 days ,he has work round the clock to put smiles on the faces of imo people.Thank God the people of Imo State decided to bring change in leadership and trooped out to elect him as Chief Executive officer of the State
“Chineke Ekele oo”,Imo people are shouting.The State is now a State to sing praises of.Ohakim is delivering on his electoral promises.Imo people now have sense of belonging in the running of Imo with wealth now spread across the State.Visitors to the state would have been convinced that Ikedi is out to take the State to the highest level of development.
Since the Governor assumed Office In 2007,there has been paradigm shifts in the areas of developmental projects such as road,civil service and security.There is notable peace and harmony in Imo State.Ohakim in his characteristic approach to handling the affairs of the state may have proved wrong,holders of the believe that because of the Governor’s minority party(PPA),there might be heavy unrest in the state.Imo under the Leadership of Ohakim is enjoying the best of oneness and unity which are vital ingredients needed for development.The bond of friendship between the Governor and Imo state House of Assembly and the Judiciary is a thing to be applauded.
In the area of security,Ohakim ,in the last twelve months,have achieved a lot.Imo State is one of the most peaceful State in Nigeria.Naturally the people of Imo are hospitable and peace loving but the Governor still went ahead to fashion out proactive measures to entrench peace and security in Imo State.Over 40 patrol vehicles have been distributed among police,Army,Civil defence,etc,for pre-emptive operations against violent crimes in the state with Joint Task Force made up mainly of Army and Police,put in place.Today,residents of the state sleep with their eyes closed.Ohakim is commited to the security of the state to the smallest details.When armed gunmen began to terrorize Mmahu-Egbema,a community that is the capital of Ohaji/Egbema L.G.A,Ohakim in Conjunction with Mike Okiro(IG of Police)sent 30 Policemen to flush out the gunmen.So many gangstars where arrested,the rest flew Mmahu.
The Governor has also revealed in several interviews that what has helped most in entrenching peace in Imo State has been the positive employment of Imo youths in different strata of the economy.Imo job center,Ohakim’s creation has employed over 1000 jobless youths of the state.
The direct result of peace in Imo has quickened the economic growth of the state.Major construction companies are today putting finishing touches to road construction in Imo.There is dualization of owerri -orlu road,okwelle Ezike-umuduru road,Amuro-Aro ofeimo road,Dikenafia-Isiekeneze-umuagwo road,Obioha -ogboko-omuma-Isiaku-Nkwerre road,obioha-AforUrualla-Obodoukwu_afor isiokpo road,Nkume-Amucha -Ezi obaire road,Afor -Umuaka-Amazano-Nkpulu Road,Shoe Industry-Amulu Mbieri road.Dualization of Okigwe road,Amaraku roundabout,Ikpambara-Umuehie-umuneke road,Anara roundabout,Anara-Eziama abba road,Naze-Nekede-Obinze road,Enyiogugu-lagwa-mbutu-uvuru road,umunama-Akpodimowutu-Ife road,Owerri-Umuahia road,etc.These Road Contracts are awarded to reputable construction companies as a way of promoting thorough and clean job.
In transportation,Ohakim has bought over 100 small taxis,over 100 mini buses and over 100 luxurous buses to ease transportation stress in Imo state.imo is also regarded as one of the Clean States in Nigeria.Ohakims pet project,Clean and Green Initiative is ridding the metropolis of Owerri and its environs of Dirts.Governor Ikedi Ohakim,Nde nwoo.Keep up the Good work.Imo people are Watching.
Kenneth Uwadi,
Editor In chief
Famous People News Magazine
P.O.Box 320,Uniport P.O,Choba,Port Harcourt,
Rivers State.
sir we are indian based company,producing plastic sheet,tents,tarpauline,want to sell my produce,in your country,if any potential and genuine buyer is there,how can you guide me,if you do not mind ther is negative campainging is going on cheating and freud,scam abt bussiness going on, how far true, i will be highly obliged if can light me in this regard thanking you (sidhartha)
YOUR EXCELLENCY, I HOPE AND WISH YOU CAN READ THIS. I SUPPORT YOU ATTEMPT TO SANITIZE THE STATE. IT IS VERY COMMENDABLE. I JUST WANT TO CHIP IN A FEW SUGGESTIONS. I BELIEVE THAT THE CLEAN AND GREEN INITIATIVE SHOULD GO BEYOND CLICHES , SLOGANS AND DECORATING SOME PLACES WITH GREEN AND WHITE PAINT. TRY AND INVOLVE THE ORDINARY PEOPLE,AS WELL AS EMPOWER THE TRAINED PROFESSIONALS IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT. THE PROBLEM IS ALL-ENCOMPASSING, SO ALSO MUST THE SOLUTION BE.
PLEASE INITIATE POLICIES THAT CAN MAKE THE MASSES SMILE. SO FAR ALL THE POLICIES OF THIS ADMINISTRARION ARE DEVOID OF HUMAN FACE. THE TRUTH IS THAT ONLY SYCOPHANTS AND THE FAVOURED FEW ARE ENJOYING THIS PRESENT GOVERNMENT. EVERY OTHER PERSON ON THE STREET IS PRAYING FOR A CHANGE,EITHER IN STYLE,OR IN GOVERNMENT. GOVERNANCE IS CHALLENGING, SO MAY GOD HELP YOU TO LEAVE A TANGIBLE LEGACY THAT WILL OUTLIVE YOUR TENURE.
AGAIN, THE COST OF LIVING IS TOO HIGH IN IMO STATE. THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING TO SHOW IMO PEOPLE THAT THE PEOPLE AT THE HELM OF AFFAIRS HAVE THEIR INTEREST AT HEART
HIS EXCELLENCY, THERE IS NO EFFECTIVE TRANSPORT SYSTEM IN IMO STATE DESPITE THE EFFORT YOU MADE TO PUT SOME VEHICLES ON THE ROAD . I WISH THAT ONE DAY, YOU OR ANY OF YOUR CLOSE AIDS WOULD BE COURAGEOUS ENOUGH TO USE ANY OF THESE VEHICLES. YOU MAY STAND FOR MORE THAN ONE HOUR WAITING FOR TRANSPORT, AND YET FAIL TO GET. NO COMMERCIAL VEHICLE STILL PLYS ROYCE ROAD,TETLOW ROAD, PORTHARCOURT ROAD, IKENEGBU, ALADIMMA,AND SO ON, EVEN THOUGH CYCLISTS HAVE BEEN BARRED FROM OPERATING ON THESE ROUTES.
SATCHET WATER WAS SOLD AT 5NAIRA AT THE INCEPTION OF THIS ADMINISTRATION. YOU MADE IT 10 NAIRA BY BANNING AND UNBANNING IT. PLEASE INTERVENE AND RETURN IT TO 5NAIRA. THIS WILL ENDEAR YOU TO IMO PEOPLE.
THE CONSUMER PROTECTION COUNCIL SHOULD BE SEEN TO BE WORKING IN IMO STATE. CONSUMERS ARE CHEATED DAILY BY VIRTUALLY ALL BUSINESS INTERESTS IN THE STATE. PLEASE LET THEM CLAMP DOWN ON FRAUDULENT FILLING STATIONS, NEPA, RELTEL WIRELESS, AND OTHER COMPANIES THAT DEFRAUD IMO PEOPLE UNDER FALSE PRETENCES.
YOUR EXCELLENCY, OWERRI AS A WHOLE DOES NOT HAVE AN EFFECTIVE DRAINAGE SYSTEM. SEND SOMEONE TO EKEONUNWA ANYDAY IT RAINS. YOU WILL REALIZE HOW NEEDY THE STATE YOU GOVERN IS. SINCE THE CARDINAL GOAL OF THIS ADMINISTRATION IS CLEAN AND GREEN INITIATIVE, TAKE ON ANY ONE OF THE MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS OF THE STATE AND TACKLE IT FRONTALLY BEFORE YOU LEAVE. POSTERITY WILL REMEMBER AND HONOUR YOU FOR BEING A TRUE LEADER WHO CARED FOR HIS PEOPLE AND FELT THEIR NEED.
MAY IMO REMAIN IN THE HANDS OF GOD, AND MAY HER PEOPLE HAVE CAUSE TO REJOICE IN YOUR GOVERNMENT.
THANKS.
Ikedi, nnukwu mmanwu
Ike di ikedi
Ike ohi, ike ama
Ike mpu,ike aruruala
Ike ojoo, ike otu onye
Otu onye kwere oha ike
O na-eme n’ike, na- ekwu n’ike
O na-eri n’ike,na-achi n’ike
Ike ochichi Ikedi
Bu nnoo ike ochichiri
Oha kiiri ya ochichi,
Ya ewere igwe mee utali
Oha kara si ya chiwa
Obu ezie na orughi ya n’aka
Ya abanye kara oha ike
Na- achi mmadu dika aturu
Oha kwuo Ikedi egbuo
Ndi ochibara n’onwu ka nku
Ndi ochibara n’uko bu aja
Imo nwaanyi oma no n’akwa
Iru-uju emebiela mma ya
N’ihi ochichi nchigbu I KEDI
Ochinanwata, OCHIKANWATA
Ona-eche uche ka nwata
Na- akpa agwa umuaka
Imo choro nzoputa
N’aka agadi ekwenka
Nke uche ya juru ito eto
Chineke nuru olu akwa Imo
Ma nye anyi onye ochichi di mma
Onye isi ya zuru oke
Nke ohi na aruruala
Na-anoghi n’obara ya.
RE: IKEDI- NNUKWU MMANWU
Leadership is a serious affair to be regarded lightly for so many of its imparts impinges on the plight and fortunes of many .Imo State is a state in Nigeria located in the South East region of Nigeria with Owerri as the state capital. Chief Dr Ikedi Ohakim is the current state Governor.
Beside Owerri,Imo State major towns are Mbaise,Oguta,Emekuku,Orodo,Obowu,Orsu.
The state is made up of about 27 local Government Areas.
Governor Ikedi Ohakim has not stayed two full years in office.One tends to wonder why any one will be so fast in coming up with baseless criticism of the present Imo state Government. Nwokezuike in his write up painted the Imo State Governor as a Thieving Politician. Why? How?
If there is any Governor in Imo state, past or present “ nchiri mmadu di ka aturu, “we all know that chief Achike Udenwa is the one. When Achike Udenwa seek the votes of Imo people, he thronged into their rooms. He did not mind the bench on which he sat, speaking sweet talks “your lives will change for the better if you elect me” he said. “Your farms, even your shrines will be electrified”
Imo people cast their votes for Udenwa. Hurrah !! It is all over. Udenwa was elected. Then came work time. For his eight years in office, Udenwa did not construct good roads, he did not built good schools,there is no evidence of genuine scholarship awarded to students of Imo State. Udenwa did not embark on good water project, neither did he created employment for jobless youths in Imo State. It is on record that every month ,millions of naira got to Imo state during Achike Udenwa’s tenure as Governor of the State. What happened to these monies? There was glaring monumental “failure to do your duty” in the regime of Achike Udenwa .His squandermania attitude is enough to put him in EFCC net.
Just as I said ,Ohakim is not two year in office yet. Ikedi Ohakim with his Style of leadership,it will not be a mistake to say that he knows where the shoe pinches Imo people. Within the last 365 days , he has work round the clock to put smiles on the faces of Imo people. Since the Governor assumed Office In 2007,there has been great changes in the areas of road construction, Transportastion civil service and security. There is also notable peace and harmony in Imo State. Civil servants in Imo state has received pension arrears stretching back over 30 years and payment of N7,500 minimum wage and a new 15% pay rise.
How is he ‘Ike ochichiri,ike ohi’ as Bibiana Ihekwe is writing? Bibiana forgot that Owerri has just been declared as the cleanest state capital in Nigeria,thanks to Ohakim’s clean and green initiative.What about the over 1000 jobless youths that Ohakim has given employement ?What about the 36 roads constructed and schools built for many communities. In transportation,Ohakim has bought over 100 small Taxis,over 100 mini buses and over 100 luxurous buses to ease transportation.
This Administration is still young for judgment. We strongly believe that Ikedi Ohakim is out for total renovation and reconstruction of Imo State. Join the match of change, for onward matching to Canaan land, we must go. Chineke Biko ye aka.
-Kenneth Uwadi is the Publisher/Editor in Chief of Famous People News Magazine.Kenneth is from Mmahu Egbema,Imo State.
Chief Dr. Ikedi Ohakim, KSC.
had nothing against his leadership, because i know its not really easy to serve the public, people will always complain, but obviously he is trying and i do believe if you visit Owerri of recent just like i did few days ago, you would understand what am talking about.
Imo people have to put up their best in supporting the government giving the fact that no one is above mistake, your creativity can help empower and develop the society, no matter how little it is.
I wish you all compliment of the season and plead that we stay in good peace this 2009.
Zelly CG
08038134043
It is obvious that Governor Ohakim inherited a lot of work ondone from the past administrtion head by Udenwa and he can’t solve all of them overnight. But he has been able to do a great deal in terms of rural road development through IRROMA,CLEAN AND GREEN PROJECTS, AWARD OF SCHORLASHIPS TO UNDERGRADUATES, OKIGWE WATER PROJECTS AND OTHER NUMEROUS PROJECTS THROUGH THE NEW FACE OF IMO JUST TO MENTION BUT A FEW
The best we can do is to support our visionary Governor. Imagine it is Ararume that is our Governor ( did I hear you say GodForbid)
There are still alot to be done and I am sure he knows it. He is ready to tackle them just as he has stated, all he needs is our prayers and support
Long live the people of Imo State.
GOV.OHAKIM IS A GOD SENT GOVERNOR TO IMO STATE,I APRECIATE THE GOOD WORK HE HAS BEEN DOING IN IMO STATE,WHAT HIS PREDECESSOR COULD NOT DO IN EIGHT YEARS,HE HAS DONE IN LESS LESS THAN TWO YEARS,AM HAPY,THERE ARE A LOT OF CHANGES,LAST YEAR HE WAS ABLE TO HOST THE NIGERIA MUSIC AWARD, THIS YEAR THE POPULAR MOST BEATIFUL GIRL IN NIGERIA BEAUTY PAGENT WILL TAKE PLACE IN OWERRI, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK YOU DOING IN IMO.
Be informed that having the highest degrees and attending Ivy League universities in Nigeria and diaspora does not transcend to good governance. The worst graduate or semi graduate with a good head on his soldier would rule a state very well. Especially a state like Imo, where it will take simple development,maintenance and organised initiatives for the people to love the present governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim. He does not need to go far to claim his 2011 mandate through a free and fair election if he works for the people. It is time for you to make hay while the sun shines and rid your supporters of never do well polititcians jostling for crumbs fromt he table.
well do good stuff if u think ur a governor. when u kno the right thin and u refused to do it i will not hate you but will believe that u ar just like a wild animal or a mentally sick person. i am just a christian. repent.
but do ur good mind forget about swearings in juju shrines nothin will happen.
Gov. Ohakim had revealed that the immediate past administration of Chief Achike Udenwa left a debt portfolio of N24 billion. He was particularly irked that “the state is indebted to the tune of N10 billion in pension and gratuity arrears dating back to 1994”. He also told the stunned Imo Elders that “debt owed to contractors amount to over N14 billion”, adding that “we have over 250 un-energized transformers lying waste in many communities and over 300 dysfunctional water schemes”.
In his own words, Gov. Ohakim said: “As I speak to you, this state is saddled with a bloated, disgruntled, demoralized and ill-motivated workforce riddled with ghost workers. Imo State is the only one in the federation with a ratio of 80 per cent of its revenue going to recurrent expenditure and only 20 per cent left for capital projects”.
While wondering how the state can develop under this type of scenario, Ohakim however said that he has set up audit committees for the state civil service and local government councils. “Most of our educational institutions are in dilapidated state. We have 1,200 public primary schools, 312 senior secondary schools and 315 junior secondary schools that require rehabilitation”, Ohakim fumed.
According to the Governor, “the state has 6,458 teachers, 128 doctors with only four consultants in the whole state”, stressing that “health institutions are in sorry state”.
I am however a bit puzzled on what points the governor wants to score bearing in mind the propensity of the average Nigerian politician to score cheap points without any serious or appropriate work. As acerbic as those outbursts were, they are the stark truth though I doubt the zeal to improve the situation by Ohakim. I think the governor is either giving excuses for his likely failure or out rightly playing to the gallery.
With those words Gov. Ohakim did not say anything new. He was merely chorusing what most of us have been saying over the years from the sidelines especially during the dark years that was Udenwa’s.
Most of these elders, of course those of them that attended the forum were handpicked, a favour they must have appreciated so much, have all been keeping mute over these years that the locusts have fed fat on our common heritage and fortune. Therefore using a hand picked elder’s forum to lament over a system that brought him into office is not only self serving but deceptive.
I still doubt if Ohakim is exercising a mandate legitimately gained. This feeling is not restricted to me alone as many other people have insisted that the last general elections were a total charade. Sadly that is part of the political gangrene that has infested our land. Therefore, can any good come out of an evil? Even if it does, such would always be an evil offspring, and certainly be unacceptable to God. Till the Imo Election tribunal is done with, how focused or committed would an Ohakim as Imo Governor be?
Already, speculations are rife that Maurice Iwu was instrumental to Ohakim becoming the governor. Part of the deal we now hear was that Ohakim would choose as the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Iwu’s younger brother, Cosmas. Also, Iwu was supposed to nominate most of the Imo State Commissioners. Maurice Iwu, also as part of the deal, would have 13 local government chairmen.
As things stand now, Mr. Cosmas Iwu, younger brother of the INEC chairman is the Secretary to the State Government. One of Iwu’s daughters is also an executive assistant to Gov. Ikedi Ohakim. There are also unconfirmed reports of the payment of some money monthly to Iwu and his share of the commissionership slots.
Corroborating this, Chief Victor Umeh of APGA in a recent newspaper interview said: “On the governorship election conducted on April 14, 2007 in Imo, our candidate, Agbaso, to the surprise of all Nigerians, was the front-runner. PDP had no candidate. Chief Agbaso polled 448,000 votes. We have all the result sheets authenticated by INEC officials in black and white that worked on that day”.
Going further Chief Umeh said “But the fact that he (Iwu) was short-sighted; he was desperate to foist somebody on the people of Imo, his brother, who has now rewarded him by appointing of Cosmos Iwu, his young brother, as Secretary to State Government (SSG) in Imo, and people are watching and saying nothing. By the election of April 14, the man who is the governor today (Ohakim) got 10,000 plus something votes. And two weeks after, he got 778,000 votes to win the governorship election”.
Chief Umeh then concluded with these words: “They should go and tell it to the marines; Nigerians are wiser now. This is a country that has developed minds. All that the people have not done is to stand up against injustice, fraud and wrong actions. There is nowhere you do all these things and have peace. They did it and the governor is there. The brother of Iwu is today the SSG, a good reward for the INEC chairman. All this things will come to naught. The magic is such that in a place like Imo, one person who got 10,000 votes before suddenly got 700,000 votes in the next two weeks. The people changed their minds overnight. That is the magic called Prof. Iwu”.
I also want to know if Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu was at that Imo elder’s gathering. If he was, then his recent media interview on the Imo situation, where the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) produced the governor in a PDP-dominated state underscores the magic that was Prof. Maurice Iwu and the miracle that is Ikedi Ohakim.
The Chief had said “Well, the case of Imo State is a special one. It is a case that will take students of political science many years to study. In Imo, PDP has the entire state. PDP has all the senators from the state. In the House of Representatives, they are all PDP members. In the state House of Assembly, there are 27 members and PDP has 26 of them. Yar’Adua won over 90 per cent of the votes from the state. So the state automatically is PDP”.
I am therefore afraid that governing Imo till 2011 when the next elections will hold will be a tough battle for Ikedi Ohakim if at all he eventually survives the legal onslaughts of the likes of Chief Martin Agbaso, Ralph Obioha and Ifeanyi Araraume at the election tribunal.
An inevitable problem will be how best to broker rancour-free deals with the already over-fed and greedy PDP hawks idling around the corridors of government in Owerri, as well as the dominated PDP House of Assembly. It is certain they may likely exploit the Governor’s frail political base to keep him on his toes; not really for the interest of the common man on the streets but for their selfish ends.
The same fear holds for Prof. Maurice Iwu who for now seems to hold the ace as far as the tribunal is concerned. Stories about his political demands from Ohakim are no doubt disquieting. Anything can happen as the coming weeks unfold. Who can tell?
OHAKIM IS A FOOL…… A few years ago some Imo State indigenes who were planning to run for the State governorship had seperately met Maurice Iwu, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to seek his support for their ambitions. Each got the chairman’s nod and thereafter he would address them as “Excellency” any time they met with Iwu. They embarked on their quests. While most of them did not make it through their Party primaries, a few succeeded.
The ones that were successful after the primaries went back to Maurice Iwu to be reassured of his support. Iwu easily gave the support. Unknown to some of these candidates, Iwu had pledged to his clan, Mbano in Imo State to “produce a governor for them.” While Iwu actively supported Sen. Ifeanyi Ararume, he worked to ensure that an Mbano man emerged as governor. Ikedi Ohakim was the only Mbano person who finally made the governorship race of April 14, 2007. Ohakim of PPA, according to results of the April 14, 2007 elections scored less than 10,000 votes while Martin Agbaso, a Port Harcourt based businessman won with more than 70% of the votes.
To most people’s chagrin, the governorship election of April 14, 2007 in Imo State was canceled by INEC. The electoral body sited violence in 9 local government areas of the State as the reason for canceling the elections. Yet, election into the State House of Assembly which took place at the same time with the same ballot paper was not cancelled in any of the local government areas.
Elendureports.com can now reveal why the Imo governorship election of April 14 was canceled. According to our investigations, Maurice Iwu believed that he had the sole right to appoint the governor of Imo State. This much he revealed to some people who went to see him shortly after the April 14 election. An eyewitness who was at a meeting in Iwu’s home between him and some people quotes Maurice Iwu as saying: “Obasanjo promised me Imo State for all the work I did for them. Imo was zoned to me and it is my right to choose the governor…that was the deal between me and the President!”
The election of April 28 in Imo State clearly contravened the Electoral Act as the Act did not vest powers of canceling election in the hands of INEC, according to an Elendureports.com legal analyst. And where such elections are canceled, the law stipulates that it must be held within one week of the canceled election. The election of April 28 was held two weeks after.
So why was the election of April 28, 2007 conducted even when it clearly contradicted the law? The election was conducted to produce the governor of Iwu’s choice. Ikedi Ohakim, apart from coming from Maurice Iwu’s clan was also the only governorship candidate in Imo State who seriously considered Iwu’s deal.
Our investigations reveal that the INEC chairman had given some conditions for his support. The conditions are: (A) That who ever becomes governor will serve for only one term of four years; (B) The elected governor will chose Iwu’s younger brother, Cosmas Iwu, as the Secretary to State Government (SSG); (C) Some governorship candidates were given permission to appoint a maximum of 6 commissioners while the rest would be appointed by Iwu. According to sources, the deal is for Ohakim to appoint only one commissioner for his cabinet while the rest are appointed by Maurice Iwu and his brother. (D) There are allegations that Maurice Iwu demanded to be paid one million dollars every month for forty-eight months. Elendureports.com have been told by various sources that Ikedi Ohakim the man Iwu chose as governor of Imo State agreed to this deal and may have made the first payment. We are yet to independently confirm the allegations of the one million dollar payment to Iwu.
Although part of the deal is that Cosmas Iwu will take over from Ikedi Ohakim as governor of Imo State after four years, political analysts in Owerri believe that Maurice Iwu is actually the person eyeing the Imo governorship chair. It is also believed that the monthly payment of one million dollars he is alleged to be collecting from Imo State is to be used for his run for governor four years from now.
Ikedi Ohakim, the man who is believed to have become governor by pure happenstance is working round the clock to secure his hold on power in Imo State. To this end, he has been making frantic efforts to buy-off his main opponents. According to our sources in Owerri, Lagos and Abuja, Ohakim has offered between N800M and N1B to his aggrieved opponents to dissuade them from further pursuing the matter. As at the time of going to press, none of his opponents has accepted his offers.
Ohakim has also adopted the approach of using the media against his opponents. Sponsored feature articles and news stories favorable to him are part of the plan of presenting Ohakim as “a god-sent” to the people of Imo State. It is expected that his opponents will respond in like manner.
Some people who have come in contact with Ikedi Ohakim since he became governor are unanimous in their verdict that the governor’s problems go beyond his opponents. They say his “people” skills are poor. A veteran reporter told this writer that he was invited by the governor and yet could not see the governor after three attempts. “The man did not learn anything from Kalu. People loved Kalu, despite his many failings because you could sense that the man was comfortable with people. This one acts as if he is the lord and master.” he is a fool IKEDI ohkim
ohakim is a big fat fool
Chife good day,may the lord bless you and your family for the good work you are doing in imo state.chife sir dr ikedi ohakim you are a gift of God to all imo people.But there is an area i will like you to look into,chife i believe you know prince sir R.s Ekejiuba from umuduru isialambano.As i am writing to you now, R.s is down in one of the private hospital along mcc road,owerri. Ararume has used and dumped him.chife you are God fearing man,who has human simpathy. chife, Rs is your brother.please look for him and help him out of the hospital,you are only saviour he has.God will always bless you and your family.thanks.
Would you please respond to my mail as I really need to know if you would support my team from UK in delivery of total Health Care and follow up visit for our Nigerians counterpart-taking ideas etc home.Details to follow if you can allocate a single person to follow up!
TMost in UK are determined to return home to give something back
Rest of the arrangement can be discussed.
Vicky
TO BE A LEADER IS NOT AN EASY TASK. WE IMO PEOPLE HAVE FORMED THE HABIT OF CRITICISING THE GOVERNMENT AND OUR LEADERS IN A VERY DESTRUCTIVE MANNER. WE SHOULD REMEMBER THAT UNEASY LIES THE HEAD THAT WEARS THE CROWN. CHIEF IKEDI OHAKIM IS ON TRYING TO KEEP IMO STATE CLEAN BUT HE CANNOT DO THIS ALL ALONE BY HIMSELF. HE NEEDS OUR SUPPORT. THOSE PEOPLE THAT ARE CRITICISING THE CLEAN AND GREEN PROGRAMME OR WHAT EVER YOU MAY WISH TO CALL IT MUST BE LIVING IN A FILTY ENVIRONMENT. CHIEF OHAKIM IS ONLY TRYING TO TRANSFORM IMO STATE TO LOOK LIKE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES. I AM FULLY IN SUPPORT OF OHAKIM. NWANNE MMADU, GA N’IRU.
EGO, FROM LONDON.
Ohakim has some good qualities but he also has a cavalier mindset which is bad for a leader. Examine his comments over the class struggle between the ASUU and the Federal republic of Nigeria- during the recent strike. He should apologise for those bad comments
His Excellency Ikedi G. Ohakim, May the Almighty GOD protect you and your family for your candid effort to elevate the suffering of the good people of Imo- State .May this accomplishment be only one of many paving the road to a bright future for you to the Presidency of the Fed. Government of Nigeria.
Christian OKPARA, Rome- ITALY,
christianokpara@hotmail.com
YOUR EXCELLENCY chief Dr ikedi ohakam.I wish you and the good people of Imo state a prosperous 2010.I am an imolite residing in port-harcourt.To be frank you are up and doing but we still expect more from you especially programmes that have direct impact on the citizens.I want you to “COMPLETE THE VISION”in the next tenure.imolites help me chant “IKEDI OHAKIM COMPLETE THE VISION”more powers to your elbow.SUPPORT IKEDI OHAKIM FOR POSTERITY
well, it is said that if you criticize the government, you will be assassinated if that is the case let me go in for it. I have never seen any administration as wicked as this ikedi ohakim tenure but my only consolation is that God will judge everyone.He is so wicked and heartless and no regrets if i say that he is a cultist.how can he send people to burn the green canopy used by people for hawking their goods by midnight. He is inhuman, how could he seize peoples land in imo state. how could he increase school fees to #8000 were some other states are undergoing free education, Infact, Ohakim, in black and white, i tell you…..!!!”" YOU ARE A FAILURE AND A SHAME TO HUMANITY”"”" I pray that you will change before march, return what belong to people back to them or let the wrath of God fall on you,. Using our money to build hotels in south africa. i wish you were to be impeached. and for those siding him, i know you all must be the same cultists, greedy and hopeless wicked jezebels like him.,..using block to block all junctions.saying that he is grading 300 roads in 30 days.all the people singing jingles for him should perish….i wish this letter could reach him.thanks…he is a dog
A PROACTIVE GOVERNMENT. I think its time the Government of imo be proactive and sensetive to the aspiration of industrious imo people.As a democratic government the taneth’s of democracy should be strictly adhered to.The Government should meet the people via town hall meetings and medium as practiced in developing states and developed ones.This fora will bring the Government policies and programme close to the people for delibration and fair hearing.issues like school fee’s increament,and others would have been trashed and dialogued.A Responsible goverment is that goverment that is proactive and sensetive to the plite of the least person in the society.Everything should be done in love.the government Should create industrial clusters,build modern market’s,expand city roads,create jobs,diversify the economy,tackle youth restivness,the issue of human capital development should be paramount.The government should please see that all her policies,project,programmes meets global best practice.imolite’s please criticize constructively,if the government of the day fails, posterity will not forgive her.Were are the imo industrialist,enterprenuer’s…..come home and show your presence.Your brothers and sisters are jobless.since no government can do it all our government should give wealthy imo’s and forign investors the economic,serene and fertile ground to invest in the state,thounsands of jobs will be created.they should diversify their investment not only on hotels.TO MY GOVERNOR,THIS IS THE TIME YOU SHOW THE STUFF YOU ARE MADE OF….THE WHOLE WORLD IS WATCHING THE KIND OF GOLD EGGS YOUR ADMINISTRATION WILL LAY.YOU NEED TO CHAMPION A HIGH LEVEL OF WE CAN DO IT SPIRIT,THE TENACITY TO MAKE HISTORY.BE THE BEST OF WHAT YOUR ARE.LONGLIVE IMO STATE