WHY IMOLITES MUST REMAIN CALM AND RATIONAL
The last time I checked painstakingly, Imo as
a people was deeply characterized by fathomless rancour, rift, resentment, and
what have you. In some quarters, whatever the current government does becomes
an error on arrival.
The aforementioned trend isn’t
unconnected with the political differences existing amongst the individuals in
question. At the moment, virtually every Imolite is of the view that he or she
has what it takes to govern the state, thus invariably jeer at the Rescue
Mission administration. They do so, believing if given the opportunity, could
do far better than the man at the helm of affairs, Chief Rochas Okorocha.
If
the above observation holds water, then it’s definitely needless to assert
that, presently, every sane Imolite who is not an affiliate of the ruling party
– the All Progressives Congress (APC) – wishes to initiate his/her own
political platform. The persons that fall within this bracket are of the notion
that if eventually founded, their respective parties would have what it takes
to lead Imo to the Promised Land, even though most Rescue missionaries are
currently of the belief that the Eastern Heartland has already been taken to
the said land by Governor Okorocha.
It
is more baffling when realized that some, if not most, of those who parade
themselves as Gov. Okorocha’s allies cum loyalists are nothing but bunch of
sycophants who are only trying to deceive some of their apparent colleagues. This
set of Imo politicians makes the greatest noise on a daily basis in every nook
and cranny of the state whenever they drum their purported support for the
governor.
They wouldn’t only sing praises or
tender all forms of eulogies but would go extra mile in bowing before the
leader each time they are with him. All they know how to do best, particularly
in a state gathering, is to clap even when calmness and tranquility is mostly
required at the arena. You would see them clapping their hands at a time when prayer
is being said amid the attendees or crowd.
I have for the umpteenth time advised
the governor to be extremely mindful of these sycophants whose physiognomies
are yet to be unveiled. But I tell you categorically that, by 2018, the picture
would be clearer than it presently appears. Such set of people would only end
up marring the personality of their supposed leader. It suffices to say that
they are not just poisonous but deadly.
Considering those in the opposition, there is
no day that would pass, we wouldn’t hear from them that the governor has
committed a grievous crime or defecated in his panties. The only thing they do
all-day-long is to make frantic effort to lure the seeming ignoramuses in the
state into their net, forgetting that at the moment, those who claim ignorance
of happenings are only doing so at the expense of the selfish politicians. Such
Imolites would do anything humanly possible to find themselves in the clique of
any politician that is noted to be financially buoyant, and ‘generous’ too.
My optimum worry remains that while these
people continue to put up all sorts of antagonisms alongside petitions, the
state’s peace is invariably at stake. Then I would begin to wonder why they
would claim to be lovers of Imo but still indulge in activities that are only
interested in maiming, or even murdering, our collective peace.
Sometime ago, I was invited by one of
them who wanted me to draft a petition to be forwarded to an anti-graft agency,
promising to pay me a sum of half a million naira. Not only that I perceived it
as an affront to my person for someone to propose to offer me just five hundred
thousand naira to write a petition, I equally saw it as a contract meant for
jobless individuals. Hence, the contract was breached on arrival.
How could one contract a writer of my status
to compile a petition without providing tangible and convincing facts therein?
I am not saying there’s no circumstance I can petition an authority, but before
doing that, I would ensure that I am not initiating a fight I cannot
accomplish; I must ensure that I would be able to defend myself irrespective of
any circumstance that might arise in the future. After all, we have been officially
encouraged to blow the whistle, so what would stop me from doing so when need
be?
The
so-called elders or statesmen in Imo should please desist from dragging the
state’s name to the mud. I urge them to behave like distinguished personalities
at all times and all cost rather than going about exposing their dirty lilies
in the public. One of my philosophical quotes states “Don’t pursue a rat in the
daytime as your dream because you dreamt of a rat in the previous night”.
That you dreamt of becoming a governor isn’t the
reason you should be chasing every sitting governor out of his seat. We must
endeavour to act maturely for the common good of all. Instead of condemnation
or tendering slanderous messages, we are required to criticize constructively. Antagonism,
which usually leads to proliferation of propaganda, would do no good to us as a
people. What we must acknowledge whenever we criticize a system or a certain
policy is that, even if the leader who the criticism is directed to refused to
adhere to it, prospective or potential leaders who were opportune to absorb the
message would definitely learn from it.
Against this backdrop, I enjoin
Imolites both home and in the Diaspora to refrain from any unwholesome act they
have been sponsoring or participating in, as the case may be. Imo is for all of
us, thus we must assist in rebuilding it no matter the amount of damage that
has been made as it is being perceived in some quarters.
Hence, we ought to endeavour to remain
calm and rational come rain come shine. Though you have dreamt of a rat during
the night, but do not pursue it as your dream at the daytime. Think about it!
Comrade FDN Nwaozor
Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri
________________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Twitter: @mediambassador
