By Nneoma Ahukanna and Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu
Imo people are very interested in the new appointments
Gov. Hope Uzodimma will soon be making to usher in his team of political aides
who will form his cabinet for the next four years in office.
According to them, a lot hinges on these appointments
which could make or Mar the second term of the Shared prosperity government.
The second term in office is a most crucial and critical period in any
administration. For many political office holders it is when they
consolidate on their achievements during the first term while for others it is
when they unwittingly undermine everything they've achieved because of the
sort of people they gave appointments into their cabinet to become
part of their team.
Recall that on 16th January 2024, Imo Governor, His Excellency,
Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma after being sworn into office for the
second term, the next day he announced the dissolution of his expanded
executive council, including the Sole Administrators of the 27 local government
areas.
Uzodimma made the announcement after his swearing
-in and assumption of office for the second tenure, during a meeting with his
expanded executive council members at the Sam Mbakwe Chambers Government House,
Owerri.
He thanked them for their commitment, resilience and
hard work which he said had helped him succeed in his first tenure.
He said the dissolution took immediate effect as
according to the Governor, "this development is aimed at
bringing in fresh persons, ideas and enthusiasm into the second tenure.’
He continued, ‘I want to remind you that whether you
will be directly involved in the new dispensation or tangentially involved,
wherever you are, you will be proud to have been part of this government.’
The number one citizen of Imo state pledged to work
harder in the new dispensation, even as he begged them to bear with his
limitations as a human being in his inability to meet all their expectations
during his first tenure in office.
Gov. Uzodimma further observed that having
worked with them for the past four years, ‘I don’t need anybody to tell me who
anybody here is. I know your various capacities and I know where if you are
placed that you will do well.
There are currently people serving at the state level
that I know if I send them to local government they will do better, so in order
to ensure we maximize the opportunity of various capacities in our midst, we
will try to do some samples in and samples out.'
I want you to bear in this that your services will be
continued to be required having been part of the SPC family and government
of the day.
This opinion poll focuses on people’s opinions about who
the governor should reappoint to his team. Some residents of Imo state want the
governor to bring back certain people who served in his previous
administration, while others believe he should focus on choosing the most
qualified individuals regardless of their past experience. The opinion poll
provides a glimpse into the public’s expectations and concerns surrounding the
governor’s decision-making process for these reappointments.
The General Overseer of Grace Covenant Gospel Church,
Rev. Cyril Akekuator Akuoma, emphasised, ‘When it comes to appointments, I am
not in support of people recommending others to the governor. The governor has
his own vision, and I am certain that he has his own loyal people who could
help him achieve his dream as the governor. But for citizens like us who are
not politicians to recommend someone from the government, I am not in support
of that. For me, he should choose those he trusts.’
Continuing, he remarked, ‘In the first term, he dropped
so many commissioners or aids mainly because he thinks that because they might
not give him what he wants. Commissioner Declan Emelumba, Commissioner of
Information and Strategy, is still there because he trusts him as one who would
represent him well in the media. He dropped the others and appointed new ones.
For me, I wouldn’t subscribe to people recommending those who should work in
his cabinet. There are specific people who should recommend individuals to him,
his trusted allies. According to the constitution, each local government area
should have one commissioner. The governor might not know everyone in every
local government area, but his trusted allies would be able to do that.’
He concluded, ‘Even if he does not have reliable people
in the government, he can fall back on any member of his caucus in the local
government. There are three things that any leader should look for before
choosing people to work for him: loyalty, alignment with his vision, and
competence in achieving goals. Remember, a vision remains a vision until it
becomes a mission.’
Prince Ifeanyichukwu Edward Moses Ikemenanwa Nwosu
Nwokororie expressed, ‘If the governor can bring back the Mbaitoli immediate
past Solad, Honorable Hamilton Chinasa Opara, I would like it. When he was
here, he was helpful to many people. He tried making the environment clean, and
some reforms were made during his tenure. He actually did well for the people
of Mbaitoli, so if there is a way to bring him back, then the governor should.’
George Nwokoro, the General Secretary of
Obiechendu, Umueze Ofekata, Orodo, stated, ‘The former Mbaitoli Solad, Hamilton
Chinasa Opara, is an industrious man. We really want him back. Before,
Nwaorieubi was bushy, with no good field, but during his tenure, he fought his
possible best to make sure that all those field posts would be okay for the
youths to play football. Not only that, he also made light steady for the local
government. Some of us are benefiting from the light. With all these things, we
still need him back. So, that is my own opinion for it.’
Dr. Nelly remarked, ‘For me, the governor knows who is
the best. If he has anything to do, to me, he should reshuffle his government.
He knows who should be brought and who should be dropped. Those who brought
confusion should be dropped. There are those who didn’t represent the governor
well and should go, and then new people should come. We want our state to move
forward, and we want people who would represent our state well to be brought
in. I am happy with the promotion, but none have been funded. For instance, he
gave us a promotion, and people are ill-advising him. They are accepting he
should do it when they know there is no fund because of this. People are now
talking ill of the state government, which might not be his fault. I like the
governor; he is good, he has good intentions, but people surrounding him are
the problem. Any project he does, he does them perfectly. He takes things
gradually, and all the projects he has done are solidly done. So, those people
that are making him look bad should be removed so that new focus would be
brought, and so that his name will ring a bell as the governor.’
Mrs. Iwu Leticia Adaku, Director of Environment Services
in Mbaitoli Local Government Area, passionately advocated, ‘The governor should
consider bringing back our Solad, Hamilton Chinasa Opara. He did a commendable
job during his tenure, and I want him back. He is worker-friendly and
understands the needs of the staff. I wish the governor would listen to our
suggestion for the reappointment of Honorable Hamilton Chinasa Opara. My
reasons for wanting him reappointed are as follows: firstly, during his tenure,
he worked tirelessly to ensure that the entire environment in the local
government was kept clean. Secondly, he fostered a positive work culture among
the staff, ensuring punctuality and diligence. I believe the governor should
reappoint Chinasa Opara because of his excellent rapport with his subordinates
and community leaders. He restored electricity supply in the local government
and ensured the functionality of sanitary facilities by rehabilitating
boreholes in the headquarters.’
Nnoso Nkem, the Youth Mayor, remarked, ‘Government knows
better. In government, you don’t dictate who gets appointed or reappointed. The
government has already tested and trusted individuals for such roles. I believe
the government should consider the track record of those they deem fit for
reappointment. In Mbaitoli, the immediate past Solad performed admirably, and
if reappointed, he will continue to contribute positively. He has shown
commitment and service beyond expectation, earning recognition from various
quarters. If I had the decision-making power, I wouldn’t hesitate to reappoint
him based on his track record and dedication to service.’
He concluded, ‘I believe in the shared prosperity
government of His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodimma, and I want him to succeed.
So, any decision regarding reappointment or appointment should be made with
clear eyes. The governor should ensure that whoever fills any position is
competent and capable, as this will reflect positively on the government.’
Basil Ohanaka, a leader in Umudurumba, Uba Ifakala,
shared his perspective, stating, ‘Regarding the reappointment of past
executives, if they have contributed positively to the advancement of Imo
state, the governor can bring them back alongside new faces. Appointments
shouldn’t be based on nepotism but on merit. The governor should appoint
individuals who can govern effectively.’
He added, ‘Regarding cleanliness, the immediate past
Solad of Mbaitoli performed admirably. The governor should appoint individuals
based on their abilities and not favouritism. He should avoid appointing those
who may undermine his efforts and instead choose those who will contribute positively
to the state. In terms of appointments, he should consider women, as they often
bring sincerity and dedication to their roles. I commend his decision to
appoint a woman as the deputy governor of Imo State.’
An anonymous source from the Social Welfare Unit in
Mbaitoli echoed similar sentiments, stating, ‘Since the Immediate past Solad,
Honorable Hamilton Chinasa Opara, took office, he has been proactive. He
immediately began working to improve the local government, addressing issues
such as overgrown grass and malfunctioning facilities. The staff at Nwaoriebu
earnestly want him back due to his dedication and transformative leadership.’
Alex Imo expressed, ‘While the governor has the
prerogative to appoint or reappoint individuals, I urge him to consider the
people’s plea and reappoint Honorable Hamilton Chinasa Opara as Mbaitoli Solad.
Alternatively, he could elevate him to a higher position, considering his
exemplary service.’
