Opposition is the beauty of democracy. Effective opposition is what
makes a sitting democratic government to be on its toes. This is
because without opposition, a government may be executing anti-people
policies without knowing. This therefore makes opposition a major
ingredient in the democratic governance of a given system.
Loading ...In Imo State, the so called opposition is not performing this primary
function of putting the government on its toes. What we rather have
are political opportunists who do not have the welfare of the masses
at heart and in mind. It is expected that those in opposition should
always come forward with better options, ideas, structures,
initiatives and alternatives to counter government policies and
programmes. Truly speaking, I have not seen any of such. Rather, what
I see are people (especially ambitious politicians) desperate for
power playing to the gallery. What do I mean?
Few weeks ago, Governor Rochas Okorocha made known his
administration’s intention to ban Keke-Tricycle transport operation in
the State Capital Owerri, with effect from the 30th of September 2017.
He also went further to say the tricycles would be replaced with
PASSAT Vehicles, which would be given to the Keke-tricycle drivers on
hire-purchase agreement and understanding. Whether this policy of
Okorocha led government was wrong or right depends on the political
divide one belongs.
Nevertheless, one had expected the so called opposition to come up
with better alternatives and options to the proposed or impending ban
on Keke-tricycles. Rather, desperate and ambitious opposition
political seekers have gone into competition with the Okorocha led
government in making available vehicles which would replace Keke
tricycles in the State Capital Owerri. I see this as playing to the
gallery. Perhaps, the opposition wants to be seen as political leaders
who care for “NDI-KEKE”. They want to score cheap political points
through the back door. This unproductive action of these politicians
has clearly put them on the scale; which has shown that they have
nothing to offer the people of the State.
Honestly, I see them as opportunists who have no better ideas on how
to move Imo forward.
By making Passat Vehicles available, these opposition political
opportunists have clearly shown how desperate they are for power and
profit. They want to make profit from the crisis situation. They have
even gone further to ask “NDI-KEKE” to come forward and fill forms and
then take the vehicles at a given price. No matter how anybody looks
at this, it has become a business transaction; rather than
humanitarian gestures. They have exposed themselves as leaders with no
human feelings; and who are only out to make profit from the confusing
situation.
Feeling frustrated, the Keke operators approached me for solution to
their plight. They came to me in their thousands, and poured out their
frustrations and grievances. Honestly, I felt their pain, anguish and
frustrations. I saw clearly the exploitative tendencies of the so
called opposition political opportunists who have eyes fixed on 2019.
I saw the imminent socio-economic harm hanging on the heads of these
obviously frustrated Keke-operators in the State. I also confirmed
during my interaction with the Keke operators that many of them are
University and Polytechnic graduates, who due to unemployment in the
private and public sectors, have resorted to driving Keke-tricycle on
Hire-Purchase agreement deal. I wept for them. I wondered why the so
called wealthy politicians who are currently playing opposition
politics in the State have vehemently refused to establish viable
industries that would have naturally absorbed our teeming graduate’
youths. These wealthy politicians prefer to pour in billions of naira
of their (perhaps) ill-gotten wealth into politics and “Shakara”
philanthropy, just to create confusion in the system, and to give the
impression that they care for the masses.
Nevertheless, I assured the Keke-Tricycle Operators that I would
approach His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha on their behalf, by
writing a letter to convince him on the need to shift the proposed ban
on Keke-Tricycle operation in the State capital by at least three
months, to enable them prepare adequately for the new challenges
ahead. So on the 13th of September 2017, I wrote a letter to the
governor and gave him twelve solid reasons why he should not ban
Keke-tricycle operations on the 30th of September 2017. I sent him the
hard copy through RED STAR EXPRESS (FEDEX) COURIER COMPANY and also
through Email. The letter was also published on several social media
platforms and on print media.
I am happy to announce that Governor Rochas Okorochas has graciously
shown that he is a leader with human heart. Owelle Okorocha has
demonstrated that the Keke Tricycle Operators in the State Capital are
also his children and subjects. He has shown that he has listening
ears when approached responsibly, calmly and maturely.
Governor Okorocha has not only extended or shifted the ban on
Keke-tricycle Operation from 30th September 2017 to December 2017; he
is currently making arrangement for the graduates among the
Keke-Operators to be gainfully employed both in the private and public
sectors.
The question now is: NOW that Governor Rochas Okorocha has
disappointed the desperate and ambitious opposition politicians who
bought vehicles to be sold to Keke Tricycle operators, with the hope
that Keke operation would be banned in the State capital on the 30th
of September 2017; what would happen to those vehicles? Rochas
Okorocha has once again beaten these opposition politicians in their
game. He has effectively achieved six things effortlessly as follows:-
(1) Governor Okorocha has successfully introduced official taxi cabs
in the state capital with the name – TAXIMO.
(2) Governor Okorocha did not ban Keke-Tricycle operation in the state Capital.
(3) 98% of Keke Tricycle operators are now comfortably happy with
Governor Okorocha.
(4) Opposition and desperate politicians who wanted to score cheap
political goals with the vehicle they bought are now stranded and
confused.
(5) Keke-operators now see these opposition and desperate politicians
as opportunists who only wanted to use them to score political goals.
(6) 98% of Keke operators will mobilize support for Okorocha’s
candidates as 2019 draw closer.
One thing is very clear here; these ambitious and desperate opposition
politicians lack the principal thing, which is wisdom. They lack
wisdom and that is why they have not been able to wrestle Governor
Okorocha to the ground. This lack of wisdom has made them not to know
how to build confidence and trust with/on the people of the State.
Every of their actions smacks of desperation, unpreparedness and
unseriousness. It is obvious Governor Rochas Okorocha is far ahead of
these disgruntled, desperate and ambitious opposition politicians in
the state, in this game of politics.
When Almighty God gave King Solomon a blank Cheque to ask for
anything from him, King Solomon simply asked for wisdom. In 1 Kings
Chapter 3 verse 9, Solomon responded thus “Give therefore thy servant
an understanding heart to judge the people, that I may discern between
good and bad; for who is able to judge this thy so great a people”?
The point I am trying to make is that most of these ambitious and
desperate politicians (with eyes fixed on 2019) lack wisdom, and have
refused to acknowledge it; hence they have continued to wallow in
political darkness.
If I were in opposition in the State, I would have outsmarted
Governor Okorocha in this present situation and circumstance
effortlessly; and the Keke tricycle operators and indeed the majority
of Imo populace would have followed me.
Nevertheless, let me urge Okorocha to continue to remain focused in
his vision for the state. He only needs little adjustments here and
there, and he would be certain to succeed in his geometric desire to
install his successor come 2019.
The opposition in the state does not have what it takes to confront
Okorocha. They are asleep. They are empty, but the word of God has
told them in John Chapter 15 verse 16 to be fruitful. Since these
opposition politicians have refused to bear fruits, they will remain
condemned perhaps, until after 2019.
I rest my pen.
Signed:
Hon. Citizen Dr. Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha
