Rochas In Court of Public Opinion
By Dr. Chuks Osuji
One of the troubling things emanating from the news that the former governor, Rochas Okorocha virtually ripped the common wealth of Imo State when he was the governor is an attempt by some politically and socially myopic members of the public who are trying to make the issue that of governor Hope Uzodimma and Sen. Rochas Okorocha.
It is a height of absurdity for any well meaning Imo Citizen to forget so soon how the news was all over the place during the eight year period of Rochas Okorocha. His unrelenting effort to loot, loot and loot the common wealth of Imo people.
What is more shocking was that in more than one or two occasions, Sen. Rochas Okorocha has publicly boasted to be richer than Imo State. I have been around for so long since the creation of imo state and I can write the political profile of every prominent imo politician including that of Sen. Rochas Okorocha.
Have we forgotten that in 2007, that the same Rochas Okorocha could not mobilise the necessary funds for him to contest for the governorship and that it was through the elastic minds of some persons like Jude Agbaso, Emeka Offor and few others persons that rallied round to fund his governorship race at that time.
It is an irony of political deceit that the same Rochas Okorocha through his abracadabra manoeuvred Ikedi Ohakim is the same person who could turn round to say that he is richer than Imo State.
It is indeed the greatest height if ikwu inyo.
I have a great number of Orlu citizens and women who are taking it to be a personal matter and It is for this reason that those few Orlu women who came out to attack the current governor of Imo State should receive baptism of cold water on a chilly harmattan morning if only to remind them that they have been misled.
It is not necessary for me to canvass that my identity is of Orlu, Okigwe or Owerri. because as a political scientist of note by my own struggle and effort, it will amount to political naivety for me to hide under the cloak of nepotistic propensity to defend Rochas at this time.
It was an open matter that he was a reckless governor who pronounced that, “I do not believe in official protocol in my government in order to get things done.” This article is not about his abracadabra style of governance but about the issue of whether or not he did not only loot imo people dry but he like a literary pirate went on a pillage of destruction to the extent that he behaved like one on a mission of plunder. The evidence was clear.
Indeed, what is going on in Imo Stae house of Assembly is an aftermath of Rochas Okorocha’s rascality. Have we forgotten that once he was sworn in as a governor, he porched members of the majority to join APGA in order to deny the PDP the majority seats in Imo House of Assembly? Have we forgotten that among those he porched for lofty positions were Late Benjamin Uwajumogu whom he made the speaker of the House; Mrs. Adaku Ihuoma whom he made the majority leader and quiet others? Have we forgotten how he converted members of Imo House of Assembly to political merchandise of “to me mam tomiere gi(if you chop, you allow me to chop too.”converting members of some APGA legislators giving them some major contracts? Have we forgotten how through his instrumentality he closed Imo state house of Assembly on his jolly ride to Turkey on an eldorado tourism?
It is indeed sorry that some people will come out now to begin to see Rochas’ shortcomings and brazzy pillage of Imo State as a matter between him and the current governor of Imo State.
Yes, people have their individual opinions but any opinion of public interest which is tantamounts to idiotic nonsensity must be thrown to the dogs. People must eschew nepotism, tribalism and parochialism to speak out the truth because a process of defending evil means a collective acceptance of not only naivety but stupidity.
According to Richard Hortinton, “In any public debate, if one does not know what to say, instead of saying stupid things, one should close one’s mouth.” On this issue of Rochas Okorocha on the equation of balancing Imo common wealth, it must be our collective decision to say no and decide that everything must be done in accordance with the rule of law.
Senator Rochas still remains a senator to serve the Nigerian Public if he merits it , but we must call a spade a spade and not a working implement.
Dr. Chuks Osuji, a renowned Political Scientist, Policy Analyst and Public Relations Czar writes from Owerri, Imo State.
