The
last time I checked, Imolites in their entirety were earnestly awaiting the
conduct of local government elections in the state, expected to be carried out
by the state’s electoral commission (ISIEC). It isn’t anymore news that few
months ago the governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha disclosed that the said election
would unfailingly be conducted in January 2017, a decision reportedly informed
by the unanimous resolution reached by the State Executive Council (SEC).
The
Nigeria’s political system is being perceived as one that does not reverence
the constitution. This is the reason a state like Imo could stay for over nine
consecutive years without boasting of substantive local government chairmen; it
is the reason a budget would be approved by the legislature for a certain
fiscal year and throughout the affected year, over sixty per cent (60%) of the
budget would not be implemented; it is why a vice-chancellor of a given
university would exhaust his/her five-year tenure or thereabouts without
executing at least a tangible project on the campus, yet he/she wouldn’t be
probed by the concerned government.
Though Imolites have been promised that
the conduct of the polls is actualizable come January 2017, they are still
sceptical over the pledge. The scepticism was occasioned by the obvious fact
that that wasn’t the first time such promise would be made, yet absolutely
nothing was done afterwards. Sure, Imolites likewise citizens of other states
passing through similar fate, have endured enough that they deserve an award.
But, would they continue to persevere?
The way and manner most state governors
handle LG matters have made me to see the awaited Imo LG polls as a mirage. It
sounds non-realistic to my person, and of course to any other concerned fellow,
because such an issue has never been taken seriously since the reign of the
immediate past governor – Chief Ikedi Ohakim – till date, let alone this
recessionary era. Hence, awaiting January 2017 towards witnessing the
elections, is unequivocally not unlike building castle in the air.
However, it’s pertinent to acknowledge
that all hope is not lost, thus needless to despair. Conduct of the polls come
next month wouldn’t be far-fetched provided we are committed. It is just a
matter of being transparent as well as standing by nothing but the truth. The
electorate need to comprehend the real state of things, and they can’t if the
picture is not presented to them in an elaborate form. Let’s give them that
sense of belonging, so that, they can even help the government to do the
thinking.
I might be sounding abstract but the
truth is, we need to hold the bull by the horn. Beating about the bush would
cause more harm than the anticipated good. All the aggrieved parties ought to
be brought to a roundtable, so we can address this once and for all. We can’t
continue to put the blame on a certain individual or group while the state
continues to suffer. We shouldn’t continue deceiving ourselves and allow Imo
wallow in pains. It is high time the deceit stopped for the sake of the state
at large.
The above instruction became
consequential because if truly the LG polls would be held by the aforementioned
period, or anytime within the first quarter of 2017, by now, primary elections ought to have been
conducted by the various political parties involved; series of electioneering
campaigns should be in the air; electoral debates ought to be the order of the
day. I stand to be corrected if I have goofed.
Funnily enough, new Transition Committee
(TC) chairmen were recently installed by the governor, and probably more would
still be replaced in the nearest future. Or maybe, the new chairmen are the
ones to conduct the awaited elections. Whatever the case might be, time is
conspicuously two short for reshuffling if really we are determine to get it
right come January next year.
Let’s not indulge in a practice that
would make the governed overlook the government. The government is meant to be taken
seriously by the people but in a situation whereby the former continually
displays nonchalant attitudes, I’m afraid, the latter would be forced to start
taking it (the former) for granted. Governance requires a two-way participation
where the leaders and the followers are expected to engage in serious
cooperation; but if any side is being sidelined, it becomes a problem to the
society.
Come to think of it, are Imolites really
prepared to witness the polls in question? Everyone appeared so docile and
less-concerned. Is it an indication that they have forgotten about it, or have
lost hope in the government? It would interest, perhaps shock you to note that
only few states across the federation have conducted their LG elections, but if
you visit any of the states that are yet to conduct theirs, the electorate seem
relaxed and lackadaisical. This should be one of the prime reasons the
concerned governments don’t take the issue seriously. It pisses my psyche profoundly
each time I realize that I belong to one of the affected states.
Nevertheless, I’m using this medium to
humbly appeal to the amiable governor of the ‘Eastern Heartland’ to please,
understand that the conduct of these polls is long overdue. The prolonged
suspense is indeed deeply telling on me alongside Imolites of like minds. I
wouldn’t like to continue sounding personal in regard to this anomaly, as it is
making me appear more sensitive. Think about it!
Comrade Fred Doc Nwaozor
-Political/Public
Affairs Analyst & Civil Rights Activist-@mediambassador
http://facebook.com/fred4nwaozor
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