Opinion: Why Imo May Tear Before Nigeria
De Erudite Communications
June 5, 2021
Prior to the evolution of the Unknown Gunmen was political uncertainties brought about, as a result of the political discordant between the immediate former governor of Imo state Chief Emeka Ihedioha, who relinquished power to Senator Hope Uzodinma, the current governor of the state, since when the atmosphere of peace and tranquillity eluded the state.
It is usually said that emotional crisis is worse than political crises. However, the way things unfold in the state of Imo these days show both factors above combined, erupting the affairs of the state of Imo. Some how, the situation cannot be completely detatched from the aftermaths of dearth and decay of democracy in Nigeria.
Recall that Chief Emaka Ihedioha under the platform of the PDP, succeeded Senator Rochas Okorocha after the state’s guber race that saw Ihedioha on the seat. Nonetheless, Senator Uzodinma of the All Progressive Alliance APC, later took over from Ihedioha after a long and seemingly complicated Supreme Court battle, which declared him ( Uzodinma) the winner of the election.
Indeed, the voice of the people could sometimes not tally with the voice of God but the case of Imo state appears positive.
Devoid of unnecessary acrimony or underserved man inhumanity to his fellow, there were agitations as well as demonstrations by the people of the opposition party in the state alongside their allies, who outrightly did not accept the judgement on the results declaring Governor Uzodinma who was said to be in the fourth position the winner of the election.
However, the rift escalated quickly when the leadership of the IPOB led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu throw supports for the dissatisfied Imo people over the polity.These resulted in controversies between the governnor of Imo state Hope Uzodinma and the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB, which brought about alleged incarceration of the members of IPOB as well as the invitation of the Nigeria military after the unveiling of the Eastern Security Network ESN, by the IPOB.
The case of Senator Rochas Okorocha and Governor Uzodinma cannot be overemphasized, while other unimaginable issues evolving daily consistently make the leadership of the state government ungovernable.
These days, the residents of Imo state experience unabated unrest as a result of numerous cases of the activities of the reigning Unknown Gunmen clashing with the security agents. The homes, markets, streets and farms of the people are rather unsafe, while worshipers can no longer find sanctuary in churches.
Meanwhile, as the political demagogues flex muscles against the leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB, the razing of police stations, whisking of arms and ammunition, as well as extrajudicial destructions of lives and properties take worrisome dimensions, which calls for immediate attention.
If the government continue to respond to Imo state issues with equal force measures, it would cause more harm than good to the residents of the state. Therefore, one is supposed to leave things under the onus of the state government to lift an olive branch and call for a round table discussion with the various warring groups.
Recall that the leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB, under the supervision of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu earlier declared their readiness to use every measure within their purview to defend the South East region of Biafra from Invaders. Mazi Kanu also admonished the people to be steadfast in support of the efforts towards the restoration of the sovereign state of Biafra, while reclaiming their territories from Fulani herders terrorising the people in the villages and farms.
Ceteris paribus, danger looms in Imo state, while Nigeria moves against disintegration.
Truly, when a house gets divided against itself, failure becomes inevitable.
Someone somewhere should do something to save the situation in Imo state, as its further escalation would amount to something unpredictably undesirable to the country at large.