By Ejimkeonye Caesar Munachiso
I have never been a fan of former Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State due to gubernatorial flamboyance and his trivialization of governance through constant exhibition of acts of superlative “iberiberism.”
The ‘do or die’ disposition with which he tried to perpetuate himself in office through his son-inlaw easily attest to the mess he made of Imo State and the need to cover it up by hook or by crook.
Thus anyone, especially those who rejected him and voted for Emeka Ihedioha would naturally expect a Hercules in Ihedioha, for the Augean stable needs thorough cleaning. In this case, where and how the new Governor intends to start the cleaning does not matter, provided he is seen and believed as doing the real cleaning.
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For many, the purported demolition of the Akachi Monument was on the orders of the Governor, while for others, it was done by those land owners, whose lands were confiscated wrongly by Rochas for the project.
Since the news of the demolition emerged, I have tried to reconcile between the word ‘demolition’ and ‘vandalization’. I don’t really know why I do this but the Akachi of a building is one I cannot point it’s economic value to the state. This however would not in any way justify it’s demolition by the new Government considering the public fund wasted.
It is only a government bereft of ideas that cannot convert such building to something useful now or later. It therefore beats my imagination how Ihedioha would make the demolition of such building a priority barely 24 hours after the assumption of office.
Vandalization of the building gives credence to those blaming it on the land owners, who were said to be executing a court judgement but who have failed to avail the public with the content of the judgement. I am yet to see where a court issues judgement of such nature authorizing someone or a group of people to demolish a government property. I am still yet to see a people that would muster such audacity and boldness to demolish a government property just like that. People can only vandalize such properties and such bold demolition can only be carried out by those who are the government; outgoing or incoming.
As soon as the news of the burning of the aesthetic palm trees in the streets of Owerri came in too, my mind quickly went through the pages of history because poor students of History make hasty conclusions and he who makes hasty conclusions make great mistakes.
Prior to the independence of French colonies in Africa , France in 1958 had changed its constitution and the French Union became known as the French Community; similar to the British Commonwealth. While other French-African territories voted to remain in the community at their various independence, Guinea rejected the Community as a disguise for continued French colonial rule and opted for complete independence. Thus, on 1st October, 1958, Guinea became independent and the first to say ‘NO’ to France.
This action was however viewed by France as not only an affront but treasonable and France never forgave Guinea. France had to withdraw abruptly from Guinea, destroying files, infrastructures and breaking political and economic ties with Guinea.
Be that as it may, Governor Emeka Ihedioha of Imo State should know that he is in the eye of the storm and must take actions that would not dent his image and that of his government this early. I believe he is not a political neophyte not to learn from the just narrated France-Guinea relationship and the likes. The way he handles this his first baptism of fire determines to a large extent, the success or failure of his government.
