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Imo Electorate and Its Expectations
By Acho Orabuchi
Newsdiaryonline
May 23,2011
“…I want to remind Imo
people that we fought an election, not a war. As a lover of
peace, I called for calm and rejected violence… The process of
healing must begin now. Every leader who loves this State must
help heal the scars of the election. I appeal to all those who
have issues with the election…to consider sheathing their sword.
I have decided not to challenge the election in court. It is not
my wish that my successor in office should suffer the
distractions that were my lot for four years. Imo is bigger than
all of us.”—Gov.
Ikedi Ohakim
The above excerpts aptly
captured the essence of democracy and its principles, as well as
demonstrated political maturity. Still, they not only ushered in
an era that ensures that the will of the people remained solemn
and unchallenged (challenge often aided by the judiciary), but
marked the beginning of a true manifestation of the ballot as an
instrument of power for the electorate.
Without going into the
postmortem of the election, which would call for a sober
reflection, the excerpts ideally illuminated the utter respect
for the will of people who demonstrated their awesome
sophistication in their knowledge of issues. The other day, I
was discussing with a colleague about the level of
sophistication the Nigerian electorate, particularly the Imo
voters, exhibited in this past election cycle. Interestingly,
not only those voters, at every age and professional level, were
very much aware of the issues, but also they were actively
involved in the process—they campaigned for their respective
candidates with unmitigated prowess. We agreed that the level of
awareness of voters were unprecedented, which was a sign of
electoral improvement in Nigeria. However, we affirmed that
some low information voters were terribly exploited; in some
cases, pulpits were used to augment the exploitation. Thus, the
electorate became saturated with coded information creating a
toxic political environment where truth and facts became
secondary as emotions were continuously exploited. Nevertheless,
the Imo voters were convinced by a candidate and they adamantly
exercised their power—responding with their ballot—thanks to
Prof. Attahiru Jega for ensuring that votes were counted.
It is important to note,
however, that when coded information and emotional argument took
over the body polity in Imo
State, the outcome of the
gubernatorial election became virtually predictable. Winnowing
the din with substantive argument or message to make a dint on
the electorate became impossible. Invariably,
what may have seemed to be a
groundswell of angst against Dr. Ikedi Ohakim, particularly in
the press and new media, was a ferocious concocted despair aimed
at influencing public opinion and consequently scuttle the
governor’s re-election bid did work. Obviously, Ohakim was
defined by the unsavory-tinged political commentaries that he
never recovered from. It is obvious that numerous wrought
politicians and their agents will now be clamoring for
attentions as they did during the previous administration
claiming their respective parts in Okorocha’s victory. Indeed,
the importunate drumbeat to oust Gov. Ohakim had its origin from
those politicians who were denied of the status of “godfather”,
but resorted to smearing the former governor with alarming
innuendos. The brouhaha reminded me of what Albert Einstein once
said, "Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition
from weak minds." Nevertheless, time would eventually vindicate
the downtrodden. Well, if the same characters are allowed to
come and dictate the policies in the present administration, I
am afraid the Imo electorate will be left in the heat to sweat
it out alone. Thus, Imo citizens would only be dreaming of
elusive promises never meant to be kept.
In any case, as I was
surreptitiously making mental notes on what my first piece would
be post-Imo gubernatorial election, I invoked the muse on the
political capital associated with governorship election victory.
It is ineluctably true that with the outcome of the governorship
election in Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha garnered a
huge political capital to dispense after coaxing and broaching
the expectations of the Imo electorate.
Billowing in a cloud of
confidence reposed in him by Imo voters, Governor Okorocha must
now expend his political capital by focusing on governing in
order not to fail his fellow citizens; he must harness and
expend his political capital to effect change that the common
man can feel and touch. The Imo electorate will be watching;
their hopes and expectations had been raised and many promises
were made during the campaign. There
is a considerable expectation of Imo electorate that Governor
Okorocha will achieve something big and very soon. At least that
was the impression created during the campaign. Soon,
disappointment would vividly highlight the difficulties in
translating campaign ideals into governing realities. The first
100 days (May 29 – September 6) evaluation of the new governor
would be harshly criticized if fifty percent of the promises are
not kept or implemented.
For
sure there will be no orchestrated efforts to dehumanize Gov.
Okorocha with obvious asinine commentaries to blame him for
institutions long fraught with fraud. So, his management of his
political capital to achieve dividends of democracy for the
Imolites would be entirely his making. His success would be
overwhelmingly greeted by the heroes, the Imo voters, who would
feel a sense of exoneration for heaping Rochas Okorocha with a
resounding electoral victory. Also, there was seemingly latent
euphoria among Imolites in the Diaspora from all zonal stripes
for the election of Owelle Rochas Okorocha. The phenomenal
elation could be ephemeral if results did not come sooner.
Idyllically,
all well-meaning citizens of Imo State should join hands in
building the state. Though the success of Imo
State
lies in our collective hands, but Gov. Okorocha must do the
following to create an enabling environment: unite Imo citizens,
provide security, ensure law and order, control activities of
thugs, deliver on his promises, and never dump APGA for PDP.
Above all, Gov. Okorocha should not be seen as being
overambitious or overzealous in his activities; he should
surround himself with capable and qualified individuals that
would proffer unadulterated advice.
Acho Orabuchi, Ph.D. is
an Opinion Writer/Commentator and Educator in Dallas, Texas USA,
who has a knack for politics.
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