The current democratic experience in Nigeria through participatory politics since 1999, has played up lots of positive, and negative activities, and feedback from the operators at all levels. One of such low key in the political drama associated therewith, is the ease at which political office holders, their followers, and supporters, and admirers, run out of their various political parties, either for political safe haven or for economic advantages , and benefits .
And on Tuesday, July 27 , 2021 , the former Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Dr. Ikedi Godson Ohakim, defected to the ruling political party in Nigeria, the All Progressives Congress ( the APC ) from the People’s Democratic Party ( the PDP ). This personal political decision of the former Governor of Imo State, in the Igbo Nation of Nigeria and Africa, has elicited mixed reactions, and played up vagaries of innuendos, and insinuations globally, with corresponding negative, and positive engagement in comments, and suggestions , and remarks , and commentaries in the traditional and social media
Ohakim was announced out of success in the General Elections of 2011 through the orchestrated authorization of the then Presidency. And those who championed this conspiracy at all levels, have tested the bitter spell of betrayal and conspiracies, even in the worst proportions.
Ohakim remains one of the most brilliant Governors to have administered Imo State , and the States of the Federation of Nigeria.. And he is robustly educated, and exposed , and acknowledged, and endorsed globally.
The results of the General Elections of 2019 in Nigeria, at all levels, were incredibly flawed and concocted. The judgements of the Courts at all levels, including the Supreme Court of Nigeria, confirmed the reality of the nonsense , and the charade called the results of the General Elections of 2019 in Nigeria. Evidently, the results of the General Elections of 2019 were the direct opposite of the wishes, and aspirations of Nigerians, and especially the Voters across the party lines, and across religious lines, and across tribal lines, and across lingual lines!
Can Ohakim be rightly described as a failure? Except failure has acquired a mysterious interpretative meaning, such cannot be imputed to the person, and the personality of Dr. Ikedi Godson Ohakim.
Why Ohakim can not be described as a failure? As a young man, he attended Schools in record times, at all levels, including at the Post Graduate levels, and has identifiable classmates, and verifiable credentials. This is a fact against failure!
Dr. Ikedi Godson Ohakim was appointed as a Commissioner in Imo State at an age below thirty-five ( 35 ) in Imo State in 1992 up to 1993 when the short-lived democratic experience in Nigeria, got terminated, and disabled , and discontinued through military incursion in politics!
Such a personality, a globally endorsed person called Dr. Ikedi Godson Ohakim, cannot be addressed as a failure by mere hangers-on of politicians without certificates; men with despicable upbringing , and odious background!
And in May 29, 2007, fate bestowed on Dr. Ikedi Godson Ohakim, the position of the Governor of Imo State. Against the tide of concocted media rantings, ostensibly promoted and funded to derail the then administration, Ohakim concluded his constitutional four years as the Governor of Imo State ! Great destiny, and great destination, and great feat!
It is evidently acknowledged with global endorsement, that Dr. Ikedi Godson Ohakim administered Imo State in the best of global best practices, handing over to his successor in office, the historic sum of twenty – six Billion naira plus ( N26.27B). This was the first time ever that a succeeding administration had money , and other instruments in Banks , were handed over to by the outgoing administration! This was before His Excellency, Dr. Peter Obi as the outgoing Governor of Anambra State of Nigeria, raised the ante in higher dimensions, and proportions. Could this represent failure? Not so! Not possible!!! Truly unimaginable!!!
As at today, except for the Samuel Mbakwe projects, and programmes, and policies, and decisions, and actions, delivered and executed by the Ohakim administration, are commended, and applauded, even by his traducers, and haters, and political opponents. Could this great opportunity amount to failure?
On a personal note, Ohakim was an employee of successful international conglomerates, including active community service records, before becoming a Governor. To further buttress this claim , Dr. Ikedi Godson Ohakim was conferred with the Chieftaincy title of Ochinanwata by his Okohia Community of Isiala Mbano , upon becoming the President General of his Community’s Development Union at an age below thirty ( 30 ). Could this be evidence of failure?
Possibly, those hired to do hatchet jobs on Ohakim upon expression of his fundamental and constitutional rights of association and choices, most personal decision anyway, did not know that Dr ikedi Godson Ohakim was the pioneer Secretary of the first Finance Committee of the PDP while Alhaji Abubakar Rimi was the Chairman. This was even before so many Nigerian politicians aligned with the PDP, and especially from Imo State. Could this as well be evidence of failure? Not possible truly!!!
Fundamentally, the people of the Oil Producing Areas of Imo State are reminiscing on the tenure of Dr Ikedi Godson Ohakim in relation to development and empowerment. So far , no Governor has equalled the records of Ohakim for the Oil Producing Areas of Imo State till date. And this could be a failure as ranted and publicised? Of course, not possible!!!
Furthermore, it is worrisome that the major political operators in Nigeria cite unprintable and printable reasons for their defections to other political parties, not minding their statuses and accomplishments at the official and private lives and existence . There is no politics of principle anywhere in Nigeria. Even though the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 ( With the Alterations ) secured and guaranteed the right to associate, including the memberships of political parties and clubs, such should be exercised , and enjoyed with decency, with practicable, and responsible lessons for the generation now, and thereafter! Ohakim like every other Nigerian politician or political operator, has exercised, and expressed, and enjoyed his fundamental and constitutional rights as secured, and as guaranteed by the Constitution, supra. Can this be likened to a failure on the part of Dr. Ikedi Godson Ohakim? Absolutely nothing near to that by every measurement, and by every description !
Conclusively, it is suggested, and advised that media neophytes and / or acclaimed media specialists, should refrain from pouring invective on the person and the personality of His Excellency, Dr. Ikedi Godson Ohakim on account of his recent personal political choices and decisions and actions. Democracy globally, encourages, and sustains political tolerance, and optimal respect for the leaders, and the other categories of accomplished statesmen in Nigeria, and in Africa
On a personal note, I did this clarification as a personal contribution without any official link to His Excellency, Dr. Ikedi Godson Ohakim as a Media Aide. I have laboured to raise this commentary for public consciousness, and for public security, and for public safety, and for public political education , and for social advocacy!
Let Truth Prevail Always!!!
Temple Okonji Esq
Abuja, Nigeria.
July 28 , 2021.
