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 Imo State Independent 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 June 2018, 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 eleven 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 June this year, 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 publicly, 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 June 2018 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 two months as planned 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 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 lingering 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 second quarter of 2018, 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 at the moment. I stand to be corrected if I have goofed.
Funnily enough, new Transition
Committee (TC) chairmen were recently installed by the governor, and probably a
different set would still be constituted 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 no longer on our side.
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 in general.
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 so sensitive.
The ISIEC on its part is equally expected
to do the needful towards ensuring that the polls in question become nothing
but success. But I wonder why by now no pronouncement has been made by the said
authority regarding the awaited elections. Or, is there anything they are not
telling us? Think about it!
Comrade Fred Nwaozor
Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri
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Twitter: @mediambassador
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