By Ebuka Afam-Echi
May 27 (Newshour.com.ng) – If the truth must be told one clear fact that Imo people must behold is that Ndimo are very very tired of these old worn out, over recycled, good for nothing selfish, greedy and heartless politicians who have continually held the masses under their jackboot while they fleece the treasury. Power they say corrupts but absolute power also corrupts absolutely. Our politicians by the manner they conduct themselves are now engaged in civilian dictatorship.
This is the reason rather than serve the populace they turn them to hewers of wood and drawers of water, weaponizing poverty and imposing all manner of misery. A civilian regime is supposed to bring succor to the people but the constant agonizing moment is the order of the day. Rather than take away the burden of suffering from the masses the governments have continued to inflict more hardship through their anti-people’s and unfriendly policies
It is not therefore surprising that Imo people are anxiously waiting to herald a new dawn which Ikenga Johnjude Okere represents, what with his result oriented peoples programs aimed at freeing the people from bondage. Johnjude Okere is the new face of Imo politics because he captures succinctly and appreciates the challenges that the people are exposed to.
A new broom they say sweeps clean and this is part of the reason that Imo people are desperately in need of a breath of fresh air. Imolites are presently gasping for breath for survival. They are just suffering and smiling. Virtually all of those promoting endorsement for continued tenure of the governor are doing so for reason of stomach infrastructure just because they have been pummeled by hunger into a sorry state of lack, reason they fall for anything just to survive.
If there is sector appraisal of the performance of government the failure of government can easily be appreciated. On the pages of paper and airwaves for instance the government is celebrating itself when the reality on ground shows that it is far from the people. Aware of this failure it is only using media propaganda and purchase of endorsement seeking to fool Imo people over a failed performance.
The government should provide its score card in education. There is gross death of teachers in Imo. Education infrastructure is at zero level. There is zero motivation for teachers and lack of teachers remains grave dangers for education. Before Ihedioha exited he was in an advanced stage of hiring over 4300 teachers in the state.
Since then no new teachers have been recruited into the system while teachers have continued to exit the system on increasing basis either through death, retirement and resignation. In some of our schools classes are paired for lack of teachers. Which class syllabus would be taught where primary one and two were merged under one teacher? That is the state of our educational system.
We challenge this government to test its popularity rating in public space by engaging an independent organization to organize a transparent public opinion survey so we can capture how the Imo people actually view its performance. This is the only true test of all the claims it has been making. The feedbacks can only but represent the way to feel the pulse of the people.
Okere is a young Imolite, home grown, straddles between the young and the old. He is a grassroots person having spent his growing up days including schooling at his Ngor Okpala local government. His tertiary education was done in Nigeria where he experienced firsthand the challenges that confront a typical Igbo youth struggling for survival.
These experiences have challenged him to grow his business as an accomplished entrepreneur acquiring diverse skills in managing and other creative endeavors. He has worn the shoes and he knows where it pinches. He comes from an environment where poverty walks tall like a colossus. He has mapped out strategies to bring succor to Imo people. It goes beyond noise.
Johnjude is the new face of Imo youths. He is the new face of Imo. Anambra State was at this level of political hopelessness in their political evolution before they chose to take a break calling the bluff of old time politicians, of god fathers who constituted themselves thin gods who must call the shot and determine what they want instead of what the people want.
Anambra has continued to enjoy a new lease of life far much better and never in comparison with Imo since the Labour Minister, Ngige was able to put the god fathers in check. Ever since professionals with name have managed their affairs and the success stories recorded by the succeeding governments manifests itself.
It was the tremendous performance of Peter Obi as an Anambra governor that sold him to the entire Nigeria. He showed competence, character and capacity which are easily verifiable and was able to transform the state. This is the glorious days ahead that Johnjude Okere is set to re-nact in Imo. He has what it takes to deliver. Nde Imo behold your savior. Johnjude Okere is the one.