By Mba Ogbonnaya
Monday, February 11, 2019, would be remembered in the history of Imo State as a day the people rose against tyranny, nepotism and what is today known in the Nigerian political lexicon as ‘familiocracy’- Governor of the family by the family and for the family. It was a day Imo people collectively rejected Governor Okorocha and his insulting gift of his son-in-law to Ndi Imo to superintend over their affairs. It was the day Emeka Ihedioha, the Peoples Democratic Party candidate emerged winner of 2019 Imo governorship candidate.
Okorocha in his reign of over 7 years has been unfortunately uneventful. It is so because his emergence came with so much expectation beyond his capacity. He was epitome of populism but in a swift and switch of fate, he did not only turn against the people but transmuted into a monster tyrant. He dared everyone, threatening to retire every leader in the state. The climax of Okorocha’s impunity was his affront to foist his son-in-law on Imo people as a successor.
This drew the ire of Imolites and a cross section of Nigerians who raised alarm over the undemocratic and tyrannical tendencies of Okorocha. He became too powerful a Governor for anyone to dare raise a voice. He raised army of thugs and went into an understanding with ex-militants from the oil bearing communities of the state with colony of others from the neighboring states. He began his project of unveiling his son-in-law as a successor. Traditional Rulers were intimidated and threatened with dethronement.
With so much bottled up rage, in the wee hours of Monday, shortly after INEC declared Ihedioha as the winner, the people took to the streets. It would have been a destructive celebration were it not for the timely intervention of Nigerian Army team who professionally calmed the frayed nerves. Okorocha’s billboards and campaign billboards belonging to his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu were dismantled, torn down and burnt. It was like the tearing down of the Berlin Wall Songs of joy were sung and people of different background and class rejoiced with one another.
Recall that Okorocha’s recklessness was not limited to the governed. It also affected the very source of his standing as a Governor. At the level of the party, Okorocha became greater and more powerful than the party that brought him to power while President Buhari’s opinion did not really matter. He was larger than life. It took one man who, surprisingly, his friend and associate of many years to tell him off. Yes, Madumere went to him and told him off. His words: “My problem with Governor Okorocha is not unconnected with my refusal to support his anti-people policies; my refusal to support his intention to foist his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu on Imo people…”
To those who understand dangers of power, it was frightening having a number two citizen of the state slam the door against himself and was ready to pay dearly for his actions. For the sake of the people, apart from failed impeachment plots, for over 18 months, Madumere does not know what salaries or allowances are at all. He was denied all, including his operational staff and other fringe benefits. With all these lack, he fought on. While in this engagement, some lily-livered associates and party leaders deserted him. We hear of heroism as a fairy tale but in Madumere’s case, it is true.
Before his political expedition as the Governor of Imo state, the name Owelle Rochas Okorocha was larger than life. At the mention of this name, most doors could open and widely, too. He could pass for an ideal human being. For the seeming charity work with his Rochas foundation Colleges, the poor prayed for him. The society was at his feet.
For those who really knew him, the picture painted above could best be described as borrowed robes on the real Okorocha. Stripping him of these contrived qualities, he would rather fit into the cadre of those Nigerians would readily identify as money-miss-road. Yes, that’s what he is. His dirty past during his days in Jos was well known. He was at best a deviant whose source of over-night wealth was questionable. This made him more of an outcast of sort as no sane person ever wanted to have anything to do with him. Igbo community rejected him in-to-to.
In the midst of all these, we learnt how he met Madumere when he travelled to the United States. He beckoned on this new friend who gave him all the comfort each time he visited the United States to help him with his professionalism in Management. They first met as acquaintances and from there, friendship developed and from friendship to business associates.
Realising some latent qualities in raw and crude Okorocha, Madumere, a trail blazer in corporate America sacrificed time, self and stooped to produce a raw implement in its crudest form into a competitive product. Yes, he took it upon himself and dedicated all in the making of acceptable Okorocha.
The story of Okorocha and Madumere is what no one can tell in one fell swoop. Without losing track of the main discuss of the piece.
When Okorocha took power from Chief Ikedi Ohakim in 2011, it was received with pomp and pageantry by the people of Imo state; little did they know they were in for a rude shock. Like a Dictator, he glories in people’s pains. Those who disagreed with him on issues become enemies.
For Madumere longtime friend of over 26 years who told him the simple truth, he unleashed all the instrumentality of government to break despite his position as the incumbent Deputy Governor of the State.
Okorocha forgot that he was dealing with a man who is the architect of his success story. He forgot the same heroism in Madumere when he rather than betray him, chose to yield to be detained for almost two months. Today, Madumere may not have become the governor but he certainly did not lose the battle.
