ORU EAST, YEARNING FOR RESCUE
As Imo
North Senatorial District is currently wearing a pathetic physiognomy at the
federal level, the famous and proactive Oru East Local Government Area (LGA),
among others, is indeed not unlike an arena that’s gradually approaching a
state of extinction at the state level. The fate of the former, which is
synonymous with that of the latter, is even bearable or far better because each
LGA in the said district, except Isiala Mbano, could currently boast of a
representative at the Federal House of Reps which is a federal legislature as
well as the Imo House of Assembly.
The last time I painstakingly checked, Oru
East LGA was earnestly crying for a messiah that would arrest the heart of the
electoral umpire towards ensuring that a state assembly election is hastily
conducted without further ado. I seriously felt for the LGA the moment I
observed the unspeakable scenario not just that I’m part and parcel of the
constituency, but simply because I understood the gravity of the implications
of suchlike lapse.
In case we have forgotten, or for the sake
of those who may presume I’m speaking or writing in Latin, presently Oru East
LGA cannot boast of or doesn’t have a representative at the Imo State House of
Assembly. This experience was occasioned by the judgement issued by the Appeal
Court of Nigeria few months back; the said verdict nullified the result of the
election that produced Hon Nkenna Nzeruo as a Member representing Oru East
State Constituency, instructing the INEC to reschedule a fresh election in
respect to that.
It’s
imperative to acknowledge that it isn’t only Oru East that’s passing through
such fate; other LGAs in the state such as Owerri West and Isiala Mbano are
equally wearing similar shoes. One may wonder how these constituencies are
coping right now as regards governance. While you wonder, I’m deeply thinking
if they were created to experience such ordeal; but on the contrary, I’m not of
the view that anyone or thing was created to suffer.
The awaited rerun polls were earlier
scheduled by the INEC to hold on Saturday 20th February 2016 but
were outrightly cancelled unannounced barely twenty-four hours to the polls,
and therein postponed indefinitely. Till date, the affected Imolites are yet to
hear not even a whisper from the electoral umpire on the new date for the
polls. Pathetically, the INEC is not showcasing any indicator regarding the
awaited election. Frankly, this attitude of the INEC isn’t just annoying but
astonishing and mind-blogging.
The members of Oguta State Constituency
would testify how it pinches if any constituency is deprived of such right,
because they were rightly in similar shoes during Gov Okorocha’s first tenure.
During their time, the circumstance really told on them, just to say the least.
Without being told, any rational being could sense how painful and troubling it
is for one’s prerogative to be abused. In other words, sometimes some sermons
aren’t consequential toward convincing people on how you feel as regards a
certain unbearable situation that abruptly befell your person.
Right now, Oru East is ostensibly like a
forgotten monument situated along an ancient pathway that leads to an outdated
junction. It’s undoubtedly a pity to realize that a locality reckoned to be
part of the engine room of Imo State, the Eastern Heartland is presently
relegated to the background in the state in question, just like an
interestingly beautiful old woman. Of course, a pretty aged woman who was
irresistible during her youthful stage may have lost the attention of all and
sundry at this moment of her old age as she lies pitiably in her Deck chair.
Someone who truly cares for Oru East ought
to comprehend that she’s seriously crying foul, thus seeking for a compelling
rescue. In fact, I’m perplexed; suffice it to say that I don’t know the apt
words I would use to express what the entire people of the said constituency
are experiencing at this point in regard to governance. Their space at the Imo
Assembly is obviously vacant, thus no one speaks for them or on their behalf.
At a point, I was tempted to sue INEC but
when I realized how long the proposed court proceeding might last, I refrained
from the candid motive. Considering what’s at stake, it’s needless to insinuate
that someone or a group somewhere is inciting the electoral umpire against the
harmless electorate; rather, anyone can categorically assert that the INEC is
derailing. No doubt, there’s something fishy going on.
The truth is that, we can’t continue like
this. Surely, Oru East of all people cannot be relegated to the background like
a quack soccer team. For the umpteenth time, Oru East is politically old and
mature to be treated like a coward. Why the predicament is very cumbersome is
because it isn’t telling only on the indigenes of Oru East LGA but the entire
Imo State; even the governor of the state in the person of Owelle Rochas
Okorocha can boldly attest this assertion. I don’t intend to exaggerate, but
Oru East without a legislator at the Imo House of Assembly is apparently not
unlike Imo State without a legislature. Maybe someone needs to think about it.
But, come to think of it; what’s actually
happening to us? Why does everyone appear docile in spite of the enormity of
the dangers inherent in the ongoing crisis? This is really appalling and
bilious, hence totally unacceptable. Someone shouldn’t wait to be reminded of
his/her civic responsibility. When your right is being shortchanged or
infringed, it’s your prerogative to stage a protest or better still keep crying
until you are attended to. If you don’t shout, no one would feel how aggrieved
you are. Thus, sometimes noise is highly consequential and extremely rational.
But, is the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) truly independent as its name implies? I’m beginning to have
a rethink with regard to its modus operandi or the principle on which it was
founded. Even if the commission is on relegation, its officials ought not to be
notified that issues concerning emergency are expected to be handled as such.
At this juncture, I call on the Imo State
government, particularly the state’s legislature, to call INEC to order before
it’s too late. Think about it!
Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor
(TheMediaAmbassador)
-Public Affairs
analyst & Civil Rights activist-
Chief Executive
Director, Centre for Counselling, Research
& Career
Development - Owerri
_____________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056
Twitter:
@mediambassador
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