LOVERS of the media as channel of communication and mass mobilization have in the last few weeks been appalled by allegations of torture, assault, human degradation and abuse of human rights leveled against the governor of Imo State, His Excellency Chief Ikedi Ohakim by one Mr. Samuelson Iwuoha, a petition writer based in Owerri, the state capital.
I got to know of the gory picture of torture alleged to have been personally executed on the victim by Chief Ohakim on Monday March 1st 2010 through a message in my email. The message was sent by a good friend and colleague who prefixed the message thus: “Obinna you are from Imo State, can this be true?.” I read the interesting but intriguing narration by Samuelson with shock and disbelief. On the face of it, the narration of the incident seemed real with graphic details of Samuelson’s arrest by “armed men sent by the Governor”, to his forceful interrogation, torture and detention at the Government House Owerri. Real as the narration appeared, one was at a loss as to how and why the victim would agree to go with the “armed men” when he claimed he knew they were assassins. But that should be left for another discourse.
A week after I got the email, I have read in several Newspapers and the internet stories and versions of stories on same issue. There is also another version of similar story by Mr. Maximus Ubah, a Media aide to one of the Governor’s strongest opponents in the last gubernatorial election in the State.
Although Dr. Amanze Obi, the State Commissioner for Information & Strategy had in a paid advertorial published in some national dailies on Tuesday March 2, 2010 as well as in a media briefing denied the allegations and further explained that Samuelson and Maximus had been arrested and charged to court by the Police, the negative effects of the allegations would take time to go given the kind of society we are in- a society where people listen to one side of a story without bordering to hear the other party especially when public officers’ names are mentioned.
In the face of the ensuing situation, one would need to ask the following questions: Is Governor Ohakim a devil as painted? Is Governor Ohakim brutish and cannibalistic? Or is the Governor being maligned for political and selfish gains?
I met Governor Ikedi Okakim for the first time in 2004 at St. James Anglican Church Asokoro Abuja where we both worship. He is a committed Anglican and was a strong member of our Christian Society. His wife Lady Barrister Chioma Ohakim was a member of the Band of Prayer Warriors that regularly intercede to God Almighty on behalf of sinners. Their children, who still worship with us, are some of the most humble kids I have ever seen. Except for their surname, it is difficult for any worshiper to know their background, notwithstanding the fact that they live opposite the Church compound. The kids, like other children, participate in all church programmes as well as being members of the Choir.
There is a memorable event that took place in November 2008. That was the Church Annual Harvest Thanksgiving Service. The Ohakims (Governor and wife) were there. Despite their high position in society, they sat together with other worshipers, including this writer. That was unbelievable in a country like Nigeria where public Office holders are seen and treated as semi-gods. But on that fateful day, the Governor and wife were like any other person. No protocol, no overzealous security men pushing and ordering everybody around. No fanfare about his person, his arrival or departure. During the harvest, Governor Ohakim was called out like other worshipers. He came out, launched the Harvest basket and went back to his seat. Until when he was called out, majority of the worshipers were not aware of his presence in the church. That is not all. Anytime the Governor or his wife is in Abuja, he/she worships with us. Sometimes the Governor sits in-between other worshipers. You only recognize him by his youthful chummy face and charming smiles. This happens every time he visits. Lady Chioma on her part is always around to attend women meetings and programmes.  You could hardly believe she was a First Lady. During such occasions, the “her Excellency” is put behind, while the amiable nature radiates to the amazement of her admirers. Humility at its peak you may call it.
Before meeting Ohakim in Abuja, I had heard his name long ago in 1992 when he was appointed a Commissioner by the late Chief Evan Enwerem, then Governor of Imo State. Ohakim’s road map to economic prosperity for Imo State captured my fancy both as a young Media reporter and indigene of Imo State. Before his appointment, I had written a lead story in TSM Magazine of November 1991 captioned “Imo on the Throes of Death”. The story, a summary of my investigations of the state of decay and filth in the then Imo State, was an eye opener to the Government and people of Imo State on the level of economic, political, social and moral decadence in the State. Hence, when youthful Ikedi Ohakim (then Commissioner for Economic Development) came up with his famous Imo Economic Development blue-print, people like me were least surprised that he was embarking on the gigantic project of re-building Imo from the ruins of mal-administration of the past years.
For me and many other observers, a miracle kid was on the block. Unfortunately, Ohakim could not stay to actualize his dream for the state as the life of the then civilian administration was cut short by the Military. Nevertheless, it is on record that subsequent administrations in the state made copious use of the Ohakim’s economic blue-print without acknowledging the source.
Based on the above facts, it is very difficult, if not impossible to believe that Ohakim would overnight turn into a murderer, killer and dehumanizer. I therefore find the allegations by Samuelson and Maximus laughable and unserious. The Ikedi Ohakim I know would not raise a finger against anybody, no matter the level of provocation. I am saying this as somebody outside the Government with no stake other than being stakeholder in the enterprise called Imo State. Anybody familiar with the workings of a Government House would certainly not believe the narration of the events as narrated by our brothers, especially the one by the Ikenegbu Kerosene dealer, who I am convinced wrote the petitions out of frustration given the fact that the illegal make-shift structure he uses to sale kerosene was pulled down by agents of the State government under the “operation keep Imo Clean and Green”.
In every democracy, the people hold the Government accountable and this is done through democratic means. For instance, if Samuelson believes and rightly too, that his shop was illegally demolished, the best option for him would be to petition the State House of Assembly or better still, sue the Government to court. He would be sure to get judgment if truly he has a case. Residents of Abuja who felt they were badly treated by the Mallam Nasir el-Rufai administration did same and got justice. Some were paid millions of Naira as compensation. That is the beauty of Democracy.
Chief Sir Ikedi Ohakim is a man of extra-ordinary accomplishments. A renowned scholar,  politician of the first grade, a lover of our country , God fearing patriot and a great citizen who brings to the task before him an unforgettable display of mastery and excellence. Not only is his name written in golden letters at all times but also because his life is a worthy example of dedication, patriotism, commitment and discipline.
He is a role model. A man of high intellectual disposition, his speeches and actions always show a remarkable degree of consistency and portray a picture of a man that is neither cowed by the size of a challenge nor ready to make compromise a principle of political leadership. For Governor Ohakim, leadership is not something to be done like a job. It is a special call.