by Obidike Nwagwu Esq
The regime of Dr Ikedi Ohakim, was one marked with over a hundred law suits, instituted or sponsored by Isiala Mbano born billionaire businessman and politician, former Senator, Ifeanyi Araraume.
The lawsuits were designed to distract Ohakim for the duration of his tenure, and he battled them for more than two years, of the four years he was govenror of Imo State.
Ohakim once revealed, that a case was instituted against him, without his knowledge, in a court in Kano State, and even a lawyer was hired for him without his knowledge.
But for the doubt by the Judge, who wondered how the lawyer of a govenror would be playing along with the prayer of the opposing counsel, and would get Ohakim’ s attention to the matter, Ohakim would have been removed from office through the court.
The lawsuits had its effect on the former governor, as they succeeded in distracting him, and probably contributed to his removal in 2011.
Other methods deployed by Ohakim’ s most bitter rival to make sure Ohakim was distracted, was the use of propaganda.
At a time, Ohakim was accused of ordering the arrest o anybody wearing bathroom slippers on the road. As laughable as that may sound today, back then, it was believed.
An audio tape was doctored, where Ohakim allegedly insulted Imo people, and was released to major radio stations, to further buttress the propaganda.
The highest hit against the former governor, was the Reverend Father matter, where he was accused of flogging a Catholic priest.
The audio tape made by Rev Father Ejike Mbaka on the matter, was purchased by Ohakim’ s bitter rival, mass produced, and shared free of charge across the state.
These methods were deployed to keep Ohakim distracted, and he took his eyes off the ball, long enough to cause him to lose his seat.
Interestingly, Ohakim contested as Uzodinma’ s deputy governor in 2003, when they were in the defunct ACN.
Senator Hope Uzodinma’ s revelation of over 120 lawsuits filed against his administration, by Senator Rochas Okorocha and his associates, seems to be taking the same line that was used against Ohakim.
The insecurity in the state has also tried to distract Uzodinma from his mission to serve the people, as the negative press from the killings in the state, haven’ t helped the governor’ s image.
Unlike security operatives, who have severally accused members of the Nnamdi Kanu led Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB, and their militant arm, the Eastern Security Network ESN, of being behind the killings and Insecurity, Senator Hope Uzodinma have severally stated that disgruntled politicains were behind the insecurity.
While addressing the Imo Stakeholders Meeting recently, Uzodinma pointed out to the audience, that the insecurity in the state, started after he started the implementation of the report, from the Judicial Panel of Enquiry, which indicted Okorocha in allegations of massive looting of state property.
Could Okorocha have taken a more advanced version from Araraume’ s play book to distract Uzodinma? Could the insecurity and killings in the state, be the handwork of desperate political elements, bent on ensuring that the Hope Uzodinma administration fails, even at the cost of blood?
Imo people who do not understand what is happening in our once most peaceful state, urge Senator Hope Uzodinma to get to the root of the matter, without being distracted, and expose those behind the insecurity in the state.
