By Dr. Ifeanyi Ekenasi
In the democratic order, opposition is among the conventional indicia of governance. It is a welcome attribute that compels governmental actions and policies to avoid the posture of highhandedness and tendencies towards stratocracy, authoritarianism, fascism, Nazism or totalitarianism.
The essential ingredient of opposition is its inclination to point to a failing government, the way out of the woods. A reasonable and welcome opposition is the one where the subject of criticism is researched in depth by the opposition and subjected to a rigorous scientific analysis, and then the product utilized in formulating a principle, a theory or rule as to the different ways of doing things better. At the end of this rigor the opposition may criticize but must recommend its findings with regard to the better approach in rulership so as to better and enrich the lives of the citizenry. Ultimately, for opposition to be effective and worth the salt it must give due credit to the government of the day where it is due.
Any opposition that is devoid of this process of research and recommendation becomes void and tends towards negativity. Often, this type of opposition is meant to tear down, assassinate character, cause dissension, create disturbances, dislodge the polity, precipitate cataclysm or disrupt the social order. This type of opposition manifests itself as senseless, unreasonable, mischievous, malicious, and unmindful of the great performance of the government in power no matter how creditably and superlatively the performance of the sitting government may be.
Interestingly, opposition in Imo state fails woefully to meet up with the ideals of true opposition as characterized here.
Thus for an instance, opposition against the rescue government of Imo state has failed miserably to adhere to the rules of opposition. The opponents and the government’s detractors have exhibited the kind of opposition that has left neutral observers worried as the opponents in their critic’s garb find themselves reeling in eternal mysticism and absurdity.
Beginning from May 29, 2011, Owelle offered ultra free education at all levels of learning to all Imo children, the type not yet known anywhere in the globe. The opponents called it a farce even though like a wrist band it requires no mirror to see it. Owelle dramatically embarked on the massive construction of Imo roads – city and rural alike. Opposition called it china roads even though the jubilant Imolites could see themselves what these roads are like and experts had certified them as meeting the required standard. The Governor transformed the dilapidated schools and revamped education. Opposition gave him no credit and instead called the effort worthless even though the neutral and intelligent parents, the school mentors and teachers know and proclaim the truth. Only recently, Governor Okorocha began expanding the inner city roads in Owerri to ease up the traffic that has bedeviled the city since its creation. During the exercise structures that violated the zoning code of the city and were sited to close to the roads in the first place would have to be pulled down for the road expansion to take place. The so –called opposition incited members of the public and owners of the affected property including, the Ekeukwu market to protest as if the opposition themselves were ignorant of such legal concepts as “taking,” the “police power” of the state and “eminent domain” exercised by states when “public good” is in issue. Overall, Governor Okorocha’s provision of infrastructural facilities surpasses those of past governments of Imo State put together. Yet, his opponents dismiss his efforts with a wave of the hand. Preferring instead, to pull wool over the peoples’ eyes and try to make the gullible members of the society believe that black is indeed, white and day does not follow the night.
Seeing that denial of the truth was not yielding the fruit of disorder, they have prayed for, the opposition, for five years now have resorted to malicious and hateful wishes against this one Governor that is loved by his people. The climax of the opponents’ evil wishes was struck when recently the Governor of Imo state travelled abroad on business trip as well as visit his newly born, bouncing grand child as other Chief Executives do. As if their denying the truth and being in bed with half truths were not enough, the nefarious opponents turned their usual bizarre and malicious wishes into false and fallacious death rumors.
Imo people alive cringed and cried foul at this misguided and unmerited opposition taken too far. If Rochas were dead indeed and if Mbakwe, Enwerem and other departed past Governors of Imo state were animate and saw him in the land of the dead they would have indeed, chased him back to come and complete his unique and God ordained assignments for Imo people.
It must be recalled that sometime in Nigerian political history, a group of opponents initiated the rumor of the death of the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. It is on record that these arch rumor mongers who fabricated hearsay had their demise settled from above before Azikiwe’s passing. In the metaphysical realm retributive justice would permit that those who wish others dead answer that call of nature ahead of those they wish their exit. This law operates more forcefully and vigorously in an environment where the one being wished death operates with goodwill to all and malice to none. That is the underpinning of an instructive Chinese proverb that warns us all to be careful with what we wish for.
Imo state needs and encourages their sons and daughters to join politics but not to produce the type of politicians that would wish their opponents dead. We need politics of brotherhood and of friendship. Politics without bitterness. Politics where we may disagree but yet recognizing that we are one blood, one people one destiny and under one God. Any politics and politicking on the contrary will fall out of favor with Imolites and would be condemned in entirety. The truth of the matter is that Owelle Rochas Okorocha was hale and hearty at the time the evil ones wished him dead and yes, he is healthy and strong today and with the fervent prayers and the massive support of Imo people he will remain so for a long, long time to come. Owelle is not done yet. His mission is not close to being over. His service to humanity is at stake and the Omnipotent Providence will surely keep him going to complete his good fight, to finish his race. Imo must continue to be even better.
*Dr. Ifeanyi Eekenasi is a Public Affairs Analyst and can be reached on 08080189914