The incumbent Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas
Anayo Okorocha secured victory over the weekend in a supplementary polls
to conclude the inconclusive governorship election in Imo State.
Okorocha, who is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), beat his arch-rival Emeka Ihedioha, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by 416,996 votes. Mr. Ihedioha scored 320,705 votes. This continues to position Imo state as the only APC state in the South East. How did Okorocha do it? This has been the question on the lips of many Nigerians. Here is a look at some factors that may have contributed to Okorocha’s victory.
1. Performance: Any honest person who has witnessed the developments in Imo state since Okorocha first became governor, will agree that the man is working. From construction of many hitherto bad roads to erection of beautiful edifices all around the state, Okorocha is fast transforming Imo state. Today Imo state is the only Nigerian state that boasts of free education for its citizenry up to tertiary level. A whole book can be written about Okorocha’s achievements in Imo state. These developments, people know and want to continue in Imo state hence the massive support.
2. The angel you know…: Okorocha was able to win inspite of the fiery propaganda from his opponent, who also has a strong political backbone simple because many Imolites would rather support a man whom they have tried and tested than one who was only coming with a bogus promises. What if Ihedioha becomes the governor and cancel the free education in the state? Many parents who have up to five children in school knows the big burden Okorocha’s free education has been relieving them of. The state educational sysem was facing serious issues before Rochas became governor. Imo state University fees for instance was always skyrocketing consistently before Okorocha came on board.
3. Grassroot Love: Rochas is a man strongly adored in Imo state by the common man owing to his people friendly projects. He is more accessible than previous governors in the state. He is so adored by the common man and close to them that his popular chant; “My people, My People” for which his “people” always excitedly ever ready to shout back “My Governor, My Governor”. On the street of Imo, an average man will always have something good to say about Rochas. Imolites voted Rochas as a person and not APC, afterall he defeated a sitting PDP governor (Ohakim) under the platform of APGA in 2011. The massive hate Propaganda is believed to be emanating from Imo elites who the governor prevented from dipping into the state funds like they were doing with previous administrations before him.
4. Desire for a federal opportunity: Many people who voted believed there will be more development in Imo state now that the state is in line with Federal Government. Here is one point Okorocha will have to prove right.
5. Okorocha style: From the onset, Okorocha has always proven that he is a smart politician. The fact that Okorocha defeated PDP within four years with two different parties, goes to show that he knows what he is doing. He knew where he was heading when he left APGA even despite all opposition and accusation of betrayal. One just have to give it to some politicians who know how they do their own thing.
6. Desire to have a igbo president: It is believed that the Igbos have been long marginalised at the helm of affairs. The much yearned positioning of the Igbos at the centre of government after Buhari makes Rochas appeal to many Imolites as the needed candidates to remain in his position till that time comes. Whether this is will be possible or not, a lot of Igbos believe that it is their turn after Buhari and that Rochas is the easiest candidate for the Number 1 seat of the nation, or at least number two.
Meanwhile, Okorocha has dared Ihedioha to contest the results of the Imo state re-run elections at the elections petitions tribunal.
Okorocha, who is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), beat his arch-rival Emeka Ihedioha, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by 416,996 votes. Mr. Ihedioha scored 320,705 votes. This continues to position Imo state as the only APC state in the South East. How did Okorocha do it? This has been the question on the lips of many Nigerians. Here is a look at some factors that may have contributed to Okorocha’s victory.
1. Performance: Any honest person who has witnessed the developments in Imo state since Okorocha first became governor, will agree that the man is working. From construction of many hitherto bad roads to erection of beautiful edifices all around the state, Okorocha is fast transforming Imo state. Today Imo state is the only Nigerian state that boasts of free education for its citizenry up to tertiary level. A whole book can be written about Okorocha’s achievements in Imo state. These developments, people know and want to continue in Imo state hence the massive support.
2. The angel you know…: Okorocha was able to win inspite of the fiery propaganda from his opponent, who also has a strong political backbone simple because many Imolites would rather support a man whom they have tried and tested than one who was only coming with a bogus promises. What if Ihedioha becomes the governor and cancel the free education in the state? Many parents who have up to five children in school knows the big burden Okorocha’s free education has been relieving them of. The state educational sysem was facing serious issues before Rochas became governor. Imo state University fees for instance was always skyrocketing consistently before Okorocha came on board.
3. Grassroot Love: Rochas is a man strongly adored in Imo state by the common man owing to his people friendly projects. He is more accessible than previous governors in the state. He is so adored by the common man and close to them that his popular chant; “My people, My People” for which his “people” always excitedly ever ready to shout back “My Governor, My Governor”. On the street of Imo, an average man will always have something good to say about Rochas. Imolites voted Rochas as a person and not APC, afterall he defeated a sitting PDP governor (Ohakim) under the platform of APGA in 2011. The massive hate Propaganda is believed to be emanating from Imo elites who the governor prevented from dipping into the state funds like they were doing with previous administrations before him.
4. Desire for a federal opportunity: Many people who voted believed there will be more development in Imo state now that the state is in line with Federal Government. Here is one point Okorocha will have to prove right.
5. Okorocha style: From the onset, Okorocha has always proven that he is a smart politician. The fact that Okorocha defeated PDP within four years with two different parties, goes to show that he knows what he is doing. He knew where he was heading when he left APGA even despite all opposition and accusation of betrayal. One just have to give it to some politicians who know how they do their own thing.
6. Desire to have a igbo president: It is believed that the Igbos have been long marginalised at the helm of affairs. The much yearned positioning of the Igbos at the centre of government after Buhari makes Rochas appeal to many Imolites as the needed candidates to remain in his position till that time comes. Whether this is will be possible or not, a lot of Igbos believe that it is their turn after Buhari and that Rochas is the easiest candidate for the Number 1 seat of the nation, or at least number two.
Meanwhile, Okorocha has dared Ihedioha to contest the results of the Imo state re-run elections at the elections petitions tribunal.
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