All over the land, there is noise everywhere. It is all about an arduous task the society has given to itself. The young, the old and not so young have all busied themselves to ensure it will be done, but would it?
The din of the preparation is so much it deadens the ears with its blast.
The momentous event is slated for the city of cadavers. All over the city, streams of blood still flow. Billows of incinerated houses still rise to the air. The acrid smoke fouls the environment, yet they cling to their plot and busy themselves to ensure it is done, but would it; really?
Many groups sprung up, adorned in diverse colourful aso ebi, speaking through oiled tongues of sleight. They were supposed to be in mourning but they did not know it; no, they refuse to acknowledge they err but insist that the event must be held.
But why are they obstinate; why are they set on this journey in rigmarole? They trumpet equity but are yet so iniquitous. Why do they not give thought to the dead and dying? Why do they not bother about the putrid scent of caked blood? Who shall cleanse the land?
Is it the rasping noise of wads of mint-fresh naira notes; or poisoned porridge that inflates gaunt stomachs that sets conscience on fire? No one remembers tomorrow. They have forgotten that the seed of yesterday gave birth to today’s evil child. They forget that today’s evil seed will still birth tomorrow’s Frankenstein.
Why would they bother as long as today is fine? Let tomorrow take care of itself, they say.
All over the land, the noise rages still. The din of the preparation is so much it deadens the ears with its blast. It has become a bedlam as many plunge into the scheme like a rushing he-goat in heat, looking for evil to mate with.
In the city of cadavers, people have been inveigled to sign contracts with vague contents. Emergency elders now dot the landscape but because they are benders of destiny, the goat gives birth tethered. They trumpet equity but are yet so iniquitous.
Where is the equity in Imo State? Yes, let us talk about the Imo Charter of Equity being talked about in that famished land.
Since the return of democracy in 1999, Orlu Zone has cheated the two other zones. Chief Achike Udenwa occupied Douglas House for eight years. He is from the Orlu Zone. Owelle Rochas Okochas was also an occupant of the State House for eight years. He is also from the same Orlu Zone. Senator Hope Uzodinma has been there for almost four years and gunning for another four years. He also hails from Orlu Zone. Assuming he succeeds, Orlu Zone alone would have held sway for 24 years whereas Okigwe Zone only had four years under Dr. Ikedi Ohakim whose quest for a second term was scorched by Okorocha’s vile propaganda. Owerri zone was there for barely six months, as Emeka Ihedioha was shoved aside by a still baffling judicial decision.
Curiously, in April this year, a supposed Imo Elders’ Council adopted a Charter of Equity for the rotation of key political offices among the three senatorial zones.
In a communique issued at the end of its quarterly meeting, signed by Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, the chairman, and Rt. Hon. Maxwell Duru, the secretary, the Council noted that upon a motion by Prof. Maurice Iwu, the governorship of the state would rotate for eight years each, beginning from Orlu where Uzodimma hails.
Recently, the Ground Game for Hope (GGH), led by Chief Jerry Chukwueke, announced that the three senatorial zones in Imo State are set to legally document the purported Imo Charter of Equity.
Chukwueke said: “We are going to tour the three zones and at the end produce a document that would be signed by them. This document will then have a legal backing so that nobody will distort it again.”
One strange thing about the name of this group is the ‘Hope’ implant. It betrays the group’s intent and purpose and lends credence that it is working for Governor Hope Uzodinma.
Things are confusing. I do not know where equity lies or who is distorting what. Is it to add another four years to Orlu’s 20 or to allow Okigwe to complete its abridged eight years and then allow Owerri to have a taste of the pie? Is it to correct the errors of the past or to perpetuate them? What really is equity?
Make no mistake about this: Uzodinma has a right to aspire to a second term in office, and nobody should deny him that right. Likewise, people have the right to support or oppose him. What is not acceptable is the promotion of lies and deceit in order to achieve this goal.
If the governor has done well, he does not need to compromise ‘leaders’ to inveigle the people. And if indeed these people are elders and leaders of the people, they would not be pliable.
Imo State is prostrate as if there is no governance. Gunmen have overrun the state. Terror is choking the life out of the people, as a state of hopelessness reigns supreme, yet the elders and leaders are not proffering solutions but are more sold to humdrum interests.
What the people need most in these dire times is salvation from multiple afflictions and not distorted political jeremiads orchestrated by tainted ‘elders and leaders’.
Uzodinma has been opportune to govern the state for four years, by January, and I think God has been kind to him. Therefore, let him genuinely seek renewal of his mandate at the November 11 poll without recourse to self-help or the Ben Johnson manipulative inclinations. Going around shopping for endorsements can never win re-election, if he does not deserve it.
Unfortunately, the governor has shown signs of inadequacy. Even his recent threat to arrest the Labour Party candidate, Senator Athan Achonu, over a Federal Government contract to construct Public Health Centres nationwide, is borne out of desperation. Why he is fixated on Achonu is even baffling except that it certifies the man to possess what Imo needs at the moment, which Uzodinma knows he lacks.
Unfortunately for the governor, Agu Otu Aka, as Achonu is fondly called, is not a piece of cake that can be easily chewed. The governor would be hitting a brick wall if he does not retrace his steps from the ugly intent and save himself the consequent embarrassment.
This is so because Achonu has nothing to hide and those living in glass houses must never throw stones. The governor should concentrate on his campaigns first by telling the people why he should be reelected and what he has in stock for them.
As a matter of fact, Uzodinma’s lack of concentration and unsteady steps have cost him the re-election already. Ndi Imo are in dire need of rescue from diverse challenges, which his administration brought upon the people or is unable to tackle. The best he could do is to convince them otherwise instead of taking on an opponent who dwarfs him in all indices.
It is unbecoming of Uzodinma to describe a valid court judgement as fraudulent. Moreso, the governor is the last person expected to denigrate the court being a beneficiary of court ruling. It is shocking that Uzodinma has not only disobeyed court orders in the past but has gone higher to ridicule the same judiciary that made him. Haba!
One certain thing about the goings on in Imo is that those preparing obsequies for truth shall be sorely disappointed. Nobody has ever succeeded in burying the truth. Even though they try; truth like a comeback kid; it springs back again and again. Truth is constant. Truth does not fail. Truth is effervescent even in turbulent times.
Go, tell Ndi Imo to rejoice; Achonu is coming. All over the land, truth shall take root again. There shall be peels of melodic laughter even in dense hearts, and the city of cadavers shall be cleansed because there shall be none. The dust from dancing nimble feet shall swirl in the air when the people’s true choice mounts the throne.
So, Imolites should vote boldly and conscientiously on November 11, regardless of the subterfuge or endorsements by egotistical assumed elders and leaders whose belly is their god.