Onwuasoanya FCC Jones
It is said that there is no art to find a mind’s construction in the face, but, a man’s behaviours and secret wishes are more often than not, revealed in their words, through writing or speech.
For instance, you could easily know a man who would be very corrupt if he gets an opportunity to hold a public office through what he might parade as a criticism of those currently in public office.
Most times, the unsubstantiated allegations of corruption and other imaginary misconduct which they accuse public officials of, is merely their dirty imaginations running riot. They are simply painting a picture of what they would have done if they were in those positions.
There have been insinuations in different quarters about a deal entered into by the governor of Imo State, His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, with the newly elected local government chairmen.
Apparently, these individuals who promote the falsehood of the governor entering a secret agreement with these elected officials are talking, either, from experience or from desire.
It is without doubt that many of these misrepresentations and outright falsehoods emanate from known opposition media hirelings and those who pretend to be activists, but whose allegiance to some opposition Parties and personalities in the State is not hidden.
Probably, these opposition Parties and personalities were involved in diverting LGA funds when they held sway, hence, their suspicion that the current administration would follow the same inglorious and corrupt pattern.
Contrary to these insinuations and deliberate falsehoods, His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, does not intend to touch a dime of LGA funds, and is committed to ensuring that every single Kobo that comes into the LGA is deployed to providing necessary amenities and services to the people at the grassroots.
As a renowned advocate of LGA autonomy, the governor was instrumental to the successful restoration of LGA autonomy and is irreversibly committed to ensuring that the key objective, which is; rapid grassroots development and empowerment, is achieved.
If there would be any deal between the governor and these newly elected LGA officials, it would be openly spelt out and communicated during their inauguration, which is coming, in a few days time.
The governor is not one to enter into secret deals with public servants, rather, he would always insist on a transparent management and deployment of public resources for the general good.
The fact that the ruling All Progressives Congress does not justify the irresponsible accusations of imposition by the unserious, disheveled and the almost eviscerated Imo opposition.
Democratic politics is a competition between one idea and others, and the people are wont to go with the idea that best suits their aspirations.
The APC won the LGA election comprehensively, like it had done since 2020, because its ideas of prosperity, peace and development, resonate with the greater majority of Imolites. The people chose the leaders they are most comfortable with, and the governor is left with no other option but to embrace these leaders and work harmoniously with them in advancing his vision for a greater and more prosperous Imo State.
Obviously, the governor shares an ideological bond with these newly minted executive chairmen of our LGAs, as they are members of one political family, which believes in the prosperity of the greatest number of people and the development and transformation of our communities.
If the governor would have any deal with them, it would be a deal for them to uphold the principles of transparency in governing their individual LGAs and ensuring that the ordinary people feel the positive and beneficial impacts of their leadership.
His Excellency shall not encourage any of these executive chairmen to indulge in acts of corruption or misappropriation of funds meant for the people, because, as a public servant who has served in different capacities at the Senate of the Federal Republic and now, in his second term, as the governor of Imo State, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, has earned a strong reputation as a stickler to excellence and probity.
This is why, in all his years in public service, he has not had a brush with anti-corruption agencies.
IMO under his stewardship is highly rated by different rating agencies, like BudgIT and Statsense as top among States in the federation that operate a transparent budgetary and appropriation system.
If anything, these LGA officials would do well to copy the governor’s zero-tolerance for corruption in running their various LGAs.
Imo Is Winning!
Onwuasoanya FCC Jones is Special Adviser to the Governor of Imo State on Public Communication.
