By John Ume
Quo Vadis, the title of this piece, is a Latin expression which simply means, “Where are you going?” Translated in the present context, this article is an attempt to draw the attention of our people to what are obviously dangerous trends, which have the capacity to destroy the fabric binding Imo State together.
There are many contemporary angles to this question but the angle which I seek to explore in this article is the seeming rise of Nihilism in Imo state over and above accepted norms. Nihilism, which is the belief that all values are baseless, appears to be at the root of a political thinking in my dear Orlu Zone.
Let me explain. Imo State, as it is today, rests on a tripod. The tripod consists of the three geopolitical zones of Orlu, Owerri and Okigwe. All the zones are more or less homogenous in their composition. It is, therefore, not surprising that in the past, efforts were made to ensure that each political zone was not left out in the scheme of things.
In 1999, this consideration accounted for the concession to Orlu Zone, the right to produce the Governor of the state. At that time, the nihilists attempted to torpedo the idea, but they were resisted and defeated by a vast majority of Imo people. Thus, in 1999, Imo people laid down the road map to the future, for the purpose of sharing political power. In other words, a template was created in that year.
This template was threatened in 2007 by the nihilists, but in the end, common sense prevailed and the tripod equilibrium was restored. For the avoidance of doubt, in 2007 after Orlu Zone had enjoyed a full eight years of Governorship, it automatically became the turn of another zone, this time Okigwe. Shockingly, some elements from the same Orlu Zone 2007 challenged this obvious fact. That they did not succeed is now history. An Okigwe son emerged as the Governor and with that development, the imperative of respecting the tripod, was observed. Things fell apart in 2011 when nihilism held sway and the established order was subverted and overthrown.
I do not wish to go into the dialectics of why and how this perversion became possible. Suffice it to say that it failed to serve the long-term interest of Imo State. That aberration of one man is the reason it now appears that some of our people, particularly from Orlu, no longer care about equity, fair play and justice. That is unfortunate.
Orlu Zone has ruled Imo State for almost 16 years, at a time a zone such as Owerri is yet to taste the position for more than 20 months. What reason on earth can any person give for canvassing another term for Orlu zone? I cannot imagine any reason except selfishness and greed. I am aware that some of the purveyors of this idea readily cite the political cliché “that power is taken not given,” whatever that means. From such people, I ask the simple question, in 1999, from whom did they take power?
Was it not freely and unconditionally given to them? Some others flaunt the so-called numerical strength of Orlu. Here I ask, assuming Orlu is more in number than the other two zones put together, must they use their superior numbers to oppress their brothers? If the superiority rationale is tenable, why should anybody begrudge the North of Nigeria for using its majority against the rest of the country?
Somebody, who recently was a champion of equity in Imo, has recanted to now espouse Orlu hegemony because Owerri people are not serious, whatever that means. This argument is hardly any reason to make Orlu Zone the colonial master of Imo state. If Owerri people are not serious, what of Okigwe people? I say so because if Owerri is unable to take up its slot, it should naturally devolve to Okigwe.
In saying this, I wish to stress that given the history of the governorship position in Imo, the next governor ought to come from Owerri, but if for reasons of sharp disagreement between Owerri people they are not able to agree on any person, Okigwe should step in. I am not persuaded by the argument that Okigwe has an unfinished term. If any zone has an unfinished term, that zone is Owerri.
The above ought to be the popular position but the chorus from the nihilists appears to be drowning out this common sense position. Which is why I posed the question, Imo state, Quo Vadis? Should the vast majority of reasonable Imo people allow nihilists to continue to tug at the fabric of the society with a view to tearing it to pieces?
I cannot conclude this article without addressing the often-held view that zoning promotes mediocrity. How true is this? Can anybody sincerely say Imo State today is in the hands of its best? Imo people, rise and say no to nihilism. As I said at the beginning, there are many angles to this issue. I will x-ray them in future articles.
God bless Imo state.
Ume writes from Urualla Ideato North LGA, Imo State