By Chuks Nwokeji
Expressions and expectations on Imo State Governorship Election are gradually unfolding, with many outstanding personalities warming up to replace Governor Hope Uzodimma. There is no doubt that the majority of them will seek the support of the incumbent governor, is normal and expected to seek his support because a sitting governor has a huge influence on any state election and can make or mar things.
The 2027 Imo State Governorship Election is a strategic and decisive election that will reposition the state on the path of justice, progressiveness and productivity.The governor needs to make an accurate decision on the choice of a candidate he will support to take over the mantle of leadership from him.
There are many Imo State sons eyeing the governorship seat. Some of the governorship hopefuls in APC are expecting his blessings. While there is nothing wrong with their ambition, the truth remains that Governor Uzodimma needs to support the best candidate with unparalleled wealth of experience, tested and trusted with proven capacity.
With the emphasis on Chatter of Equity, it becomes pertinent for the governor to support a candidate who is a symbol of equity, justice and fairness for Imo State governorship seat. Looking at the body language of those who have shown interest in the governorship seat in 2027, His Excellency, former Governor Ohakim, remains the only governorship aspirant who deserves maximum support from Governor Uzodimma due to the aforementioned qualities and many other incomparable factors.
Chief Chakim has an incomparable experience, and his four-year stay in the saddle has singled him out as the best among the rest. Ohakim remains the only governor who will not need to learn on the job or embark on experimentation; he is too experienced to rely on trial and error.
He stands out as the most experienced and most qualified in the 2027 governorship race. No other aspirant has his kind of wealth of experience in governance of the state. The only person who would have been close to him is Rt. Emeka Ihedioha, but a comparison of his seven months' stay on the seat with Ohakim's four years is like a journey from the ground to the sky.
Why Ohakim deserves maximum support from Uzodimma is because there is policy alignment between the values and priorities of the 3R and Clean and Green Initiative, such as Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, and Recovery, leadership style of quality work. Ohakim is a leader who has demonstrated quality, with strong leadership skills, vision, and the ability to inspire and motivate others. He is a strategic thinker with a proven ability to develop and implement effective solution-driven strategies capable to address critical issues.
Time and season have proven that power is all about trust, and Ohakim has shown that he can be trusted with power. He does not need an introduction to Governor, Uzodimma, or to Imo people; he has proven his sterling leadership qualities.
Ohakim and Uzodimma have been very good friends. When Sir Ohakim was the governor, Senator Uzodimma was a regular visitor to the Imo State Government House. As a government house correspondent and News Editor of National Question, I knew how Onwa Oyoko used to visit Douglas House always to see his friend.
The successful senatorial election of Uzodimma, starting from the keenly contested party primaries to the general election, had the undiluted support of Sir Ohakim as then Governor of Imo State. Without mincing words, it's not out of place to state that former Governor Ohakim gave Onwa Oyoko undiluted support to become a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. There is nothing wrong if he reciprocates the gesture in 2027.
Why Ohakim deserves the maximum support of Governor Uzodimma for a second missionary journey is not only because of their relationship, but also due to his wealth of experience,capacity and transformational leadership style as a tested and trusted leader, which is an added advantage and an edge over others.
Another good and obvious reason is the need for Okigwe Zone to complete their aborted eight years under his New Face of Imo Administration. Recall that the second-term bid of former Governor Ikedi Ohakim was aborted with a silent conspiracy between Owerri and Orlu Zones. Governor Uzodimma, as an illustrious son of Orlu Zone with his Deputy from Owerri Zone, can correct the injustice in 2027.
Record-keepers are of the view that if Uzodimma can comfortably chose him as his governorship running mate under the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in 2003, he can also comfortably chose him as his anointed successor in 2027. An undiluted support for the former governor is a mustt that will address systemic injustice and marginalization of Okigwe Zone in the political equation of Imo State. The bitter truth is that; without federal might or undiluted support from an incumbent governor, it will be extremely difficult for Okigwe zone to produce an elected governor in Imo state because the zone cannot do much with six local governments.
As the move and intricacies for Imo State governorship election gradually gather momentum, the need for Uzodimma to consider undiluted support for former Governor Ohakim, cannot be waved under the carpet, because Ohakim remains the only ideal leadership personality he can hand over and move on with peace of mind in his political journey without any witch haunting.
By virtue of privileged position, the incumbent governor,he has opportunity to influence who succeeds him, but in the end only the council of the Lord will stand because promotion comes not from the East or West, it comes from God who puts one down and lift the other (Psalm 75:6-7)certainly Uzodimma has opportunity to put up undiluted effort but sovereignty of God in matters of destiny, promotion and success will prevail at the end.