Road to 2023: Gov. Uzodinma has transformed Imo –Okwara

By Dickson Okafor

Peter Okwara, Patron Igbo Friends in Diaspora (IFD) and CEO, Delicious Treat Food Plc has said that in spite of security challenges in Imo, Governor Hope Uzodinma has transformed the state into a modern city through infrastructural development within the short period he has been in office.

He called on the governor to expunge multiple-taxation in the state which he said is killing Small and Medium Enterprise (SME).

He speaks about other issues including Igbo Presidency and restructuring of the country.

Insecurity in Imo is getting worse by the day since Sen. Hope Uzodinma emerged governor, isn’t the trend giving you concern as a stakeholder?

First, let me thank you for your tireless effort to get hold of me for this interview. To answer your question, power comes from Almighty God and He gives it to who He wants. That is why He is called unquestionable God. I urge every Imolite to cooperate with His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma because he is the will of God for us. So far, the governor has demonstrated what I call politics without bitterness. He has reunited Imo people devoid of political affiliation. He has reintegrated our Autonomous Communities and peace has returned among our traditional rulers. On insecurity, it is not peculiar to Imo; it is a national problem but the governor is tackling it systematically.

Considering the economic state of the nation and persistent insecurity in Imo State, what is your assessment of Uzodinma’s administration so far?

So far, Security of lives and property of Imo people is a top priority under Uzodinma. However, the collaboration of the state government with Sterling Global Oil in terms of security in its strategic plan to reposition Imo towards regaining its envious ranking as a member of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is commendable as revealed by the Commissioner of Police in the state while briefing Imolites recently. Also, I must commend the governor for accepting to collaborate with Greenvolt Solution, a renewable energy company from Norway as this will help reduce electricity constraints on the state’s Economic Master plan and growth as envisaged. With this record, within the period under review, I appeal to our people to continue to support the administration to gain more financial grant from the Federal Government. It is worthy to note that there is no permanent friend or enemy in politics but permanent interest. Our interest is development and enabling environment for investment, entrepreneurship and economic activities in Imo to thrive. Recently, the governor flagged off the construction of some roads in the state.

Many business owners in the state are groaning under what they call multiple taxation and levies by the state government, isn’t it a sign that the administration is insensitive to the plight of the people?

It is wrong for someone to say that Governor Uzodinma is not sensitive to the plight of Imo people. Yes, there is multiple taxation and levies by the state government on business owners in the state which we can no longer bear. So, I urge Governor Uzodinma to look into multiple taxation and levies especially in this challenging period in order to save businesses from going under and also for him not to lose popularity in the state. Therefore, apart from the tax issue, all other steps the administration has taken so far are in the right direction within the few years the governor has been in office. We all can see his achievements mostly in road construction and expansion. Recently, some roads were commissioned by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo. Like I said earlier, the governor’s security strategy has helped to some extent in dealing with security challenges in the state. So, I give him kudos for that so far. Notwithstanding, there are a lot of expectations. I urged the state government to  consolidate on the trust and confidence of the people it is enjoying in line with saying “there is hope in Imo now with the coming of Hope” hence, I’m hopeful that he will continue in that regard.

The rift between Governor Uzodimma and former Governor of the state, Sen. Rochas Okorocha has been linked to the insecurity in the state, do you share the same view?

It is an unfortunate situation to see or hear that both men unleash verbal attack on each other over state matter thereby making it look as if it is a personal affair. Like you rightly observed, Governor Hope Uzodimma and Sen. Rochas Okorocha are my kinsmen who have served the state and nation judiciously but have in recent time fallen out politically. However, Uzodimma should set aside sentiment that may distract him. They resolve their differences and work towards improving development in the state.

Why is the governor finding it difficult to bring all warring parties within APC together and resolve the crisis in the state chapter of the party?

I’m worried about that too. I’m actually going to have a meeting with one of Camp Hope stalwart, Chief Canice Omeogor, Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Revenue Mobilization to discuss the issue you just raised. They have to work on that without delay. The governor must work emphatically to bring members of Imo APC together because they must work and speak with a voice not only as the largest political party in Africa but as the ruling party in Nigeria.   Therefore, since APC is the ruling party, there shouldn’t be any distraction and division. All hands must be on deck to move the party forward not only in Imo State but in the entire South-East. I believe that it is also the view of majority of Nigerians. Don’t forget that some people may say it is difficult for Governor Uzodimma to work with the Rescue Mission of the former Governor Rocha Okorocha but one good thing is clear, they are friends and brothers from the same Senatorial zone and the same political party. So, they should come together and move the state forward.

Now that the zoning arrangement has been brazenly trampled upon by Orlu zone given the desperation with which Uzodimma emerged governor  thereby making the zone to hold on to power for 20 years, how best can the governor pacify the other zones especially Owerri zone?

It is quite unfortunate; it bothered me that in the beginning when the mutual understanding of power sharing not only in the nation but also in the South-East and among the three zones in Imo State was reneged. It was agreed by Imo people including people from Owerri that power should rotate among Orlu, Okigwe and Owerri zones. But the agreement was reneged by Owerri zone when it would have been their turn to produce the governor after Chief Ikedi Ohakim. They turned around to supported Sen. Rochas Okorocha against Ohakim who wanted to complete his second term in office in 2011. And that was the genesis of violation of the zoning or power sharing agreement in Imo State.

I was shocked recently when I heard Governor Hope Uzodinma say that 2023 presidency is not ethnic based. I really don’t understand what the governor meant by that statement because it was an understanding that power should rotate between the North and South. But with the recent conclusion of presidential primaries of the two major political parties, APC and PDP, I realised what Uzodimma meant. So, I think we will go back to the power sharing arrangement. If Orlu is done through Governor Uzodimma, Okigwe will complete its tenure, and then it will be the turn of Owerri zone. Owerri people must remedy the arrangement they help to thwart because I can remember that Owerri people helped Sen. Okorocha to defeat Ohakim during the 2011 governorship election. I can also remember vividly what Okorocha said, “the people has spoken, that he was not actually interested in contesting the governorship but because the people said they wanted a change and wanted me to bring that change and they voted for me” He said it would be unfair to the people if he had rejected to serve Ndimo.

Away from state matters, do you think Obi can win the Presidency in 2023? 

It was a disappointment to the people of South-East that APC and PDP didn’t select someone of the zone to fly their Presidential flag in 2023. It wouldn’t be out of place if they had zoned the presidency to the South-East. It is long overdue even though some Igbo may say to hell with the presidency because they want to stay away from a corporate entity called Nigeria; many are insisting that Nigeria must be restructured. To me, I will say, let Igbo vote vote for Peter Obi as the next President for the sake equity and justice. I don’t believe that the presidency is ethnical because there is love in sharing.

How do you reconcile the demand for presidency by some Igbo while a section of the people from the zone is agitating for secession?

It’s very unfortunate. We are not only asking for the presidency, we are also asking for restructuring and secession at the same time. To me, I believe in one united Nigeria even though it will be difficult for an Igbo President to perform without restructuring. Many are of the view that restructuring should come first before President of Igbo extraction but if Nigeria is structured, I believe the pressure and agitations will ease.