By Austin Okoro
September 5 (Newshour.com.ng) – Recently, a new group emerged called Imo Social Contract group with the aim of charting a new path to progress and taking ownership of government through a responsive leadership approach and mass mobilisation.
On the 2nd of September, 2023, the group had its maiden meeting at Owerri and agreed to support the Imo Social Contract as a group ably led by the convener, Dr Fabian Ihekweme (OMU).
Dr. Ihekweme in his address said: ” In the past we have had leaders (governors) who presented their manifestoes crafted by university Professors and most of them do not know the content of what they are presenting. Most times they don’t have answers to the documents they presented. I went into research to come up with the idea which informed my decision to form Imo Social Contract Group.”
Ihekweme went further to state that Imo social contract group means the least items the government will give to the people and what the people will give to the government in return; adding that it must be signed by both parties. ” We won’t sign the contract anyhow but with the collective decision of all concerned,” he stated.
The former Commissioner for foreign and International Affairs noted that the meeting was deliberately held to bring together Leaders of thought, opinion moulders, professionals, technocrats, community leaders etcetera to take this decision, stressing that when a Governor knows that the people deliberately voted for him, he would be mindful of what he is doing.
He stated that lawyers have drafted this contract to be amended by the decision makers and will be signed by about one hundred (100) persons of voting age from each of the 27 local government areas of Imo state. After that the signatories will gather and the recipient will appear and sign that document in the presence of all.
What this entails is that the people and not the governor will own the government; hence the Social Contract is the only way to achieve that.
The decision to sign the contract agreement with any Guber candidate will not be dependent on anyone but on Imo people after the terms and agreement might have been spelt out. This will bring governance to the people. Democracy is government of the people, by the people, and for the people. This Social Contract Group wants to enforce the real democratic principles on Imo people. In order words, Imo state will be the first state in Nigeria to start obeying democratic norms and value through the vision of Dr Fabian Ihekweme (OMU).
Also, according to the visioner, they contract will not be signed with just anybody we see but shall be based on what is on ground and the decision will be made by all.
Hon. Ihekweme noted that he is not doing this to attract favour or reward from anywhere but want the masses to decide how they want to be governed . And when the masses decide who govern them, peace will be restored and insecurity will become a thing of the past.
During the meeting, a motion for the adoption of the Imo Social Contract Group ISCG was moved by Ozo Collins Anoro from Okigwe zone, seconded by Chief Benjamin Obi, from Owerri zone and supported by Fidelis Enwerem from Orlu zone, to make up the three zones in the state.
It is pertinent to note that Hon. Dr Fabian Ihekweme (OMU) a German trained political science, administrator and thinker has been selfless in his quest for good governance and accountability in the country, that was why he led the obidient movement under the umbrella of The Big Tent Obidatti Presidential Campaign in the South East, to bring good governance to Nigeria and now Imo state, infact he is the apostle of good governance and accountability.
I urge Imo people to embrace this great idea from their son wholeheartedly and sign this contract so as to usher in good governance and restore peace in Imo.
Hon. Dcn Austin Okoro: South East Spokesperson, The Big Tent and member of the Imo Social Contract Group
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