ON THE OKOROCHA, UZODINMA FACE-OFF
February 25, 2021 | News
With regard to the rivalry between the former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, and the current Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, I believe what is important is for the two politicians to shield their swords, settle whatever differences they must have had, and ensure that peace is returned in Imo State.
ON THE OKOROCHA, UZODINMA FACE-OFF
With regard to the rivalry between the former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, and the current Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, I believe what is important is for the two politicians to shield their swords, settle whatever differences they must have had, and ensure that peace is returned in Imo State. They should not allow their ego and pride, to tear down the State and put their aides/supporters against one another.
For me, I see this rascality being exhibited between Uzodinma and Okorocha as totally uncalled for. While there have been apparently unresolved issues between the two Politicians, it was reported that it all started when the Imo State Government sealed a hotel, Royal Spring Palm hotel, purportedly belonging to the wife of Okorocha, which was based on a gazetted White paper recommendation by a Committee of inquiry set-up by the sacked Imo State Governor Ihedioha, to look into the master plan of the State. And it was discovered, according to them, that the said hotel was built on a location mapped as Greenland area. And it was allegedly built while Okorocha was still Governor. And on hearing about the sealed hotel, Okorocha went to see things for himself, especially as it was reported that people were already looting some of the properties in the said hotel. That was when the squabble between Okorocha’s aides/security details and that of the State Government, which video has gone viral, happened.
While I am not here to speak for, or in support of both Okorocha and Uzodinma, or to establish who is at fault and who is not, but the point is that Uzodinma, as the sitting Governor of Imo State, should be expected to promote peace in Imo State, regardless of anything. I also believe that Okorocha, who as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, ought to have acted more civil by not putting himself in such a situation where the State Government’s Aides would embarrass him. If he had any problem with the way the said hotel was sealed, there are proper ways to handle the situation by approaching the appropriate law court, rather than resorting to self-help and take laws into his hands.
The Igbos are known to be blessed Entrepreneurs who are doing business all over the world. Seeing their political leaders exhibit such dishonorable and thuggish behaviour, is rather embarrassing. I also don't support the reported violence going on in some parts of Imo State, especially in Orlu Local Government Area where the Nigerian Army, which Uzodinma has admitted to having been the one that invited them, has run down and taken over the place as if it was a war zone. I believe a Good governor should disregard whatever personal disagreements he has with his predecessor, and tow the path of peace for the sake of the people he claims elected him into power.
If Okorocha has erred, then it is expected that Uzodinma and relevant Security Operatives of the State should follow due process in addressing the situation, and not act so uncivil. Power is not permanent. Today it might be your turn, and tomorrow it is someone else’s turn. I saw the viral video where Uzodinma's Aide was rashly talking to Okorocha, and tapping his shoulder – meaning, what can you do? As they kept asking themselves: “Who are you?”
No one is a monopoly of violence. This is something Uzodinma and his aides/supporters should bear in mind because Okorocha has his own supporters too, and it is not good for them to turn Imo state into a war zone. We all know what happens when two elephants fight? A governor should always be seen to tow the path of peace, and be the example of peace, and not rule with fiat force, coercion and violence. Whatever wrong Okorocha has done, should be handled with due process and the rule of the law. Using the police in any form and channel, as the Chief Security Officer of the state, is totally unnecessary. This is why some stakeholders are against the agitations for State Police because the State Governors will use the State police apparatus to hunt opposition camps, critics of their government, and those they perceive as their enemies.
I am not from the South-East. I am an Urhobo man from Delta Central and I know some persons will ask what has Zik Gbemre got to do with what is happening in the South-East State of Imo. But as a patriotic Nigerian, I will see it as a point of duty to speak my opinion when necessary, especially on issues that affect fellow Nigerians, and in this case, those in the South-East State of Imo. I still maintain that it is wrong for the Nigerian Police to be used by the State Governor the way he did. The allegation of breaking an entry, as said by the Police on Channels Television, is simply childish and does not justify their actions of being used by the State Governor of Imo State.
Zik Gbemre.
February 25, 2021
We Mobilize Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes
With regard to the rivalry between the former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, and the current Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, I believe what is important is for the two politicians to shield their swords, settle whatever differences they must have had, and ensure that peace is returned in Imo State. They should not allow their ego and pride, to tear down the State and put their aides/supporters against one another.
For me, I see this rascality being exhibited between Uzodinma and Okorocha as totally uncalled for. While there have been apparently unresolved issues between the two Politicians, it was reported that it all started when the Imo State Government sealed a hotel, Royal Spring Palm hotel, purportedly belonging to the wife of Okorocha, which was based on a gazetted White paper recommendation by a Committee of inquiry set-up by the sacked Imo State Governor Ihedioha, to look into the master plan of the State. And it was discovered, according to them, that the said hotel was built on a location mapped as Greenland area. And it was allegedly built while Okorocha was still Governor. And on hearing about the sealed hotel, Okorocha went to see things for himself, especially as it was reported that people were already looting some of the properties in the said hotel. That was when the squabble between Okorocha’s aides/security details and that of the State Government, which video has gone viral, happened.
While I am not here to speak for, or in support of both Okorocha and Uzodinma, or to establish who is at fault and who is not, but the point is that Uzodinma, as the sitting Governor of Imo State, should be expected to promote peace in Imo State, regardless of anything. I also believe that Okorocha, who as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, ought to have acted more civil by not putting himself in such a situation where the State Government’s Aides would embarrass him. If he had any problem with the way the said hotel was sealed, there are proper ways to handle the situation by approaching the appropriate law court, rather than resorting to self-help and take laws into his hands.
The Igbos are known to be blessed Entrepreneurs who are doing business all over the world. Seeing their political leaders exhibit such dishonorable and thuggish behaviour, is rather embarrassing. I also don't support the reported violence going on in some parts of Imo State, especially in Orlu Local Government Area where the Nigerian Army, which Uzodinma has admitted to having been the one that invited them, has run down and taken over the place as if it was a war zone. I believe a Good governor should disregard whatever personal disagreements he has with his predecessor, and tow the path of peace for the sake of the people he claims elected him into power.
If Okorocha has erred, then it is expected that Uzodinma and relevant Security Operatives of the State should follow due process in addressing the situation, and not act so uncivil. Power is not permanent. Today it might be your turn, and tomorrow it is someone else’s turn. I saw the viral video where Uzodinma's Aide was rashly talking to Okorocha, and tapping his shoulder – meaning, what can you do? As they kept asking themselves: “Who are you?”
No one is a monopoly of violence. This is something Uzodinma and his aides/supporters should bear in mind because Okorocha has his own supporters too, and it is not good for them to turn Imo state into a war zone. We all know what happens when two elephants fight? A governor should always be seen to tow the path of peace, and be the example of peace, and not rule with fiat force, coercion and violence. Whatever wrong Okorocha has done, should be handled with due process and the rule of the law. Using the police in any form and channel, as the Chief Security Officer of the state, is totally unnecessary. This is why some stakeholders are against the agitations for State Police because the State Governors will use the State police apparatus to hunt opposition camps, critics of their government, and those they perceive as their enemies.
I am not from the South-East. I am an Urhobo man from Delta Central and I know some persons will ask what has Zik Gbemre got to do with what is happening in the South-East State of Imo. But as a patriotic Nigerian, I will see it as a point of duty to speak my opinion when necessary, especially on issues that affect fellow Nigerians, and in this case, those in the South-East State of Imo. I still maintain that it is wrong for the Nigerian Police to be used by the State Governor the way he did. The allegation of breaking an entry, as said by the Police on Channels Television, is simply childish and does not justify their actions of being used by the State Governor of Imo State.
Zik Gbemre.
February 25, 2021
We Mobilize Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes