Opinion
By Prof. MarkAnthony Nze
IN a democracy, leadership is both a privilege and a responsibility. It demands accountability, focus, and a commitment to serving the people who entrusted you with power. Unfortunately, the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, seems to have lost sight of these principles. His prolonged absence from the state, coupled with his alleged practice of governing from Abuja, paints a picture of a leader intoxicated by power and detached from his mandate.
A Governor in Exile?
The disturbing report that Governor Uzodinma has chosen Abuja over Owerri as his base of operations is not only disheartening but also a gross dereliction of duty. According to insiders, the governorโs prolonged absence has left the machinery of governance in Imo State at a standstill. Key government appointees now roam aimlessly, collecting salaries for jobs they neither do nor understand. Weekly executive meetingsโa crucial element for running a functional governmentโhave reportedly not been held for months. The governor, it seems, prefers to govern through phone calls, which are often ignored, leaving his appointees and, by extension, the state, in limbo.
This blatant neglect has significant implications for the state. Imo is grappling with severe challenges, including insecurity, unemployment, dilapidated infrastructure, and a struggling economy. Yet, instead of addressing these pressing issues head-on, the governor appears more preoccupied with political scheming and succession planning for the 2027 election. This misplaced priority is not just an insult to the people of Imo but a betrayal of their trust.
The Cost of Absentee Governance
Governor Uzodinmaโs preference for Abuja as his operational base is not just a governance issueโit is a financial burden on the state. Reports indicate that his meetings in Abuja involve key appointees and elders who incur significant expenses, including flights, hotel accommodations, and other logistics. These costs, which are ultimately borne by the state, amount to a reckless waste of resources that could have been used to address the pressing needs of Imo citizens.
For instance, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reveals that Imo Stateโs unemployment rate stands at a staggering 48.7%, one of the highest in the country. Similarly, insecurity has become a daily reality, with kidnappings, armed robberies, and communal conflicts increasing under the governorโs watch. Instead of tackling these challenges, Uzodinmaโs administration is busy frittering away state funds on frivolous meetings in Abuja.
Governance by Phone: A Mockery of Leadership
The situation is even more alarming when one considers the operational chaos described by government insiders. Appointees allegedly rely on phone calls to receive directivesโcalls that the governor often does not answer. This lack of coordination and communication has reduced governance in Imo to a joke, with appointees hardly showing up in their offices. Such dysfunction not only hampers service delivery but also erodes public confidence in the government.
Leadership by proxy is an insult to the people of Imo State. Governor Uzodinma was elected to preside over the affairs of the state, not to operate as a de facto absentee landlord. His decision to govern from a distance undermines the essence of democracy, which is rooted in proximity to the people and responsiveness to their needs.
The Betrayal of Imoโs Future
Perhaps the most infuriating aspect of this saga is the governorโs reported focus on his succession plan. Insiders posit that the recent Abuja meeting was geared toward securing the loyalty of Imo elders for a preferred candidate, a banker from Mbaise. While Uzodinma has every right to have political preferences, his primary duty is to govern effectively and leave a legacy of good governance, not political manipulation.
The people of Imo deserve better. They deserve a governor who prioritizes their welfare over personal ambitions, who is present to address their challenges, and who uses state resources prudently. Hope Uzodinmaโs actionsโor lack thereofโhave shown that he is more interested in consolidating power than in fulfilling his obligations to the state.
A Call to Accountability
The time has come for Imo people to demand accountability. Governor Uzodinma must return to Owerri and face the challenges confronting the state head-on. He must refocus his attention on critical issues like security, job creation, infrastructure development, and economic revitalization. Moreover, the legislature and civil society organizations in the state must rise to their responsibilities by holding the governor accountable for his absenteeism and wasteful expenditures.
Imo State is too important to be run by remote control from Abuja. The governorโs detachment from the state is a slap in the face of democracy and an insult to the people he swore to serve. Governor Uzodinma must be reminded that leadership is not about personal convenience or political schemingโit is about being present, accountable, and committed to the well-being of the people. Until he changes course, the legacy he leaves behind will be one of failure, neglect, and missed opportunities.
The people of Imo deserve betterโand they must demand it.
A.I
Nov. 17, 2024
Tags: Prof. MarkAnthony Nze
