Ohakim not a failure for defecting to another party

By Temple Okonji

 

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, Dr. Ikedi Godson Ohakim, defected to the ruling political party in Nigeria, the All Progressives Congress (the APC) from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

This personal political decision of the former governor, 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 schemed 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 tasted 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. He is robustly educated, exposed, 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, confirmed this reality. Evidently, the results were the direct opposite of the wishes and aspirations of Nigerians, especially the voters across party lines, across religious lines, 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 personality of Dr. Ohakim.

Why he cannot be described as a failure? As a young man, he attended schools in record times, at all levels, including at the postgraduate levels, and has identifiable classmates and verifiable credentials. This is a fact against failure!

He was appointed as a Commissioner in Imo State at an age below thirty-five (35) in 1992 up to 1993 when the short-lived democratic experience in Nigeria got terminated through military incursion in politics.

Such a personality cannot be addressed as a failure by mere hangers-on of politicians without certificates; men with despicable upbringing and odious background!

In May 29, 2007, fate bestowed on Ohakim the position of governor of Imo State. Against the tide of concocted media rantings, ostensibly promoted and funded to derail the then administration, he concluded his constitutional four years as governor. Great destiny, great destination and great feat!

It is evidently acknowledged with global endorsement, that Ohakim administered Imo State in the best of global best practices, handing over to his successor 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 and handed over to the outgoing administration! This was before Dr. Peter Obi as outgoing Governor of Anambra State, raised the ante in higher dimensions. Could this represent failure? Not so! Not possible!!! Truly unimaginable!!!

As at today, except for the Samuel Mbakwe projects, programmes and executed and delivered by the Ohakim administration, are commended even by his traducers 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 governor. To further buttress this claim, he was conferred with the chieftaincy title of Ochinanwata by his Okohia community of Isiala Mbano , upon becoming President-General of the 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, did not know that he 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 Ohakim in relation to development and empowerment. So far, no governor has equaled his records 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 status and accomplishments in official and private lives. There is no politics of principle anywhere in Nigeria. Even though the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 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 has exercised his fundamental and constitutional rights as secured and as guaranteed by the Constitution. Can this be likened to a failure on his part? Absolutely nothing near to that by any measurement or description!

Conclusively, it is suggested and advised that media neophytes and acclaimed specialists, should refrain from pouring invective on the person and the personality of 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.

On a personal note, I did this clarification as a personal contribution without any official link to Ohakim as a media aide. I have laboured to raise this commentary for public consciousness, security, safety, political education and for social advocacy!

Let truth prevail always!

• Okonji Esq wrote from Abuja.