I had bumped into Ikedi Ohakim, former Governor of Imo State, at Facebook and we became friends based on the network’s prescription for connection. Not only were we just Facebook friends, Ohakim was the governor of my home state, Imo, one of the 36 states in Nigeria, lying to the South of Nigeria with Owerri as its capital. It’s known to be the heart of Igbo land. Browsing through his (Ohakim’s) page on Facebook and reading notes he occasionally publishes, I found out he was not facing too many challenges since his friends tend to have been opportunistic, job-seeking, vulnerable and gullible Nd’Imo (Imo indigenes) based on the kind of comments I saw about his notes which relates to the well-being of Imo State and Ala-Igbo in general because his three thousand plus so friends at that time came from all around Ala-Igbo and elsewhere in the country. The comments were disturbing when one takes a look at how questions of conduct couldn’t be thrown to the governor. A people subdued.
So, too, going through President Goodluck Jonathan’s Facebook account, everybody seems to agree with what he says. I’m not sure if that is heathy for any democracy. But as it happened, after reading some of Ohakim’s note, I decided to send him a message so I could ask him questions on what he was talking about. I requested for a Q & A Interview. He Okayed it and said I should go ahead and send my questionnaire.
My encounter with Ikedi Ohakim:
March 14, 2010
Subject: Q & A Interview for Governor Ikedi Ohakim
Mr. Governor,
I would like a scheduled interview with you on a wide range of issues as the state’s Chief Executive. Imo Diaspora would greatly appreciate your kind gesture in letting them know the goings on in the affairs of state. I will send a questionnaire for your response. Let me know the possibilities of this request at your convenience.
Best wishes,
Ambrose Ehirim
Imo Diaspora
Los Angeles, CA
March 19, 2010: From Ikedi Ohakim, Imo State Governor
Many thanks for the message. Kindly send in detail to my email: ikedi.ohakim@imostste.gov.ng
March 31, 2010
From: aehirim@hotmail.com
To: ikedi.ohakim@imostate.gov.ng
Subject: Q & A Interview for Governor Ikedi Ohakim
Mr. Governor,
Attached are the questions for you from Imo Diaspora and it would once again be appreciated if the answers are detailed to your utmost best. My attempt to reach Dr. Julius Kpaduwa did not come through as a result of his visiting home. We’ve been in touch every now and then.
Best wishes,
Ambrose Ehirim
Imo Diaspora
Los Angeles, CA
Wed. March 31, 2010
From: ikedi.ohakim@imostate.gov.ng
To: aehirim@hotmail.com
Subject: RE: Q & A Interview for Governor Ikedi Ohakim
Ehirim,
Many thanks for the mail. Will get back to you soon.
God bless!
Ikedi G. Ohakim
Governor,
Government House Owerri
Imo State, Nigeria
Email: ikedi.ohakim@imostate.gov.ng
Website: http://www.imostate.gov.ng
This email is intended solely for the recipient in the header of the email and may contain confidential or privileged information. If you have received it in error please notify Imo State Government immediately and permanently destroy the email. You must not copy, distribute or take any action in reliance on it. Opinions, advice or facts included in this message are given without any warranties or intention to enter into a contractual relationship with Imo State Government unless specifically indicated otherwise by agreement, letter or facsimile signed by zn authorized signatory of the state government
The Attached Questionaire for Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State:
1). What got you into politics and what motivated you?
2). In your own view as Chief Executive of Imo State, is your administration performing as required by the people of Imo State who elected you into office? Tell us why your ratings should go up.
3). You told the people of Imo State that “the outstanding Imo State University Teaching Hospital will be completed this year. The School of Nursing at Owerri and the School of Basic Midwifery at Aboh Mbaise will also be equipped and reaccredited this year”. Based on what you are saying, that’s a becoming conduct required of the state’s chief executive; but we are hearing it’s all political talk. What do you make of what the critics are saying and all the negativity about your administration?
4). On the disturbing scenario of armed robbery and kidnappings that is now pervasive in the state, we hear that lack of creating jobs by your administration for the youth and college graduates has been the backbone to what is now akin to a state of empire and anarchy. That if jobs had been created with opportunities, that the crime rate in the state will drop dramatically. What’s your take on that?
5). Several indigenes of the state have complained about infrastructures in the capital city – that more roads are needed to alleviate the traffic jams, that not much has been done by your administration since you took the oath of office three years ago, for example the construction of an overpass or underpass for through traffic in and around the metropolis and especially by the busy Alvan Ikokwu College of Education. What’s your take on that?
6). Despite the fact that you have been praised for your Clean and Green Initiative to clean up Owerri Township, we now hear that program is going down. What happened?
7). In your recent speech delivered at Igbo Leaders Forum in Owerri, you said “our people are getting tired of too much talk and little action.” Weren’t you referring to yourself and some of your Igbo-related colleagues since your ratings seem to be dropping way beyond expectation?
8). On revenue allocation to the local governments meant for infrastructures, maintenance and improvement strategies to improve basic needs in the areas, such as accessible roads, farming subsidies, equipping the schools, providing adequate medical care by way of establishing dispensary centers and other social programs, we hear no such thing exists and that whatever that was left by previous military and civilian regimes have either decayed or vanished, that the federated accounts is not showing in any of the local governments. How do you hold the local government chairmen and their councilmen responsible for misappropriation of funds?
9). And how are the funds disbursed to the local governments?
10). On World Igbo Congress, it has been obvious the “Igbo Umbrella” has not done much in protecting Igbo interests. Based on that how would you rate World Igbo Congress, and what was your experience like as a keynote speaker in its 2007 convention in Detroit, Michigan?
11). On Igbo Diaspora and its enormous human capital coupled with the ‘brains’ living in advance nations, how do you encourage them to come back home and put their experience to work in building a profound civil and organized Igbo nation?
Be well and good luck!
April 14, 2010
From: aehirim@hotmail.com
To: ikedi.ohakim@imostate.gov.ng
Subject: RE: Q & A Interview for Governor Ikedi Ohakim
Mr. Governor,
Just a reminder to see if we are still on track regarding the above subject-matter. I look forward to your response and it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Ambrose Ehirim,
Los Angeles, CA
April 15, 2010
From: ikedi.ohakim@imostate.gov.ng
To: aehirim@hotmail.com
Subject: RE: Q & A Interview for Governor Ikedi Ohakim
Ehirim,
I have replied your questions. Will forward once I get back from my trip.
My apologies.
God bless.
Ikedi G. Ohakim
Governor,
Government House Owerri
Imo State, Nigeria
Email: ikedi.ohakim@imostate.gov.ng
Website: http://imostate.gov.ng
June 30, 2010
From: aehirim@hotmail.com
To: ikedi.ohakim@imostate.gov.ng
Subject: RE: Q & A Interview for Governor Ikedi Ohakim
Mr. Governor,
I have been wondering if we lost touch regarding the subject matter when you said over two months ago that your response was in order. Now, a whole lot has changed and Imo Diaspora, including Nd'Igbo all over the globe are not speaking well of your administration, and I am yet to be critical of what I'm being compelled to take on, from around the goings on in Imo State -- the widespread spooky case of kidnapping.
My questionnaire is already old since a whole lot has popped up from the time you Okayed the interview. Let me know what your take is and we can revise all the stuff from the beginning.
Be well!
Ambrose Ehirim,
The Ambrose Ehirim Files
Los Angeles, CA
July 02, 2010
From: ikedi.ohakim@imostate.gov.ng
To: aehirim@hotmail.com
Subject: RE: Q & A Interview for Governor Iked Ohakim
Ehirim,
Many thanks for the mail. There's need to forward a recent interview with NTA which was aired live on the network. How do I get it across to you? It addresses all the questions you raised and even more. Your reply is needed for my aides to forward a copy to you both for duplication and your information.
God Bless
Ikedi G. Ohakim
Governor,
Government House Owerri
Imo State, Nigeria
Email: ikedi.ohakim@imostate.gov.ng
Website: http://www.imostate.gov.ng
July 03, 2010
From: ahirim@hotmail.com
To: ikedi.ohakim@imostate.gov.ng
Subject: RE: Q & A Interview for Governor Ikedi Ohakim
If the live interview with NTA is on disc, you can have your aides upload the disc on a computer and forward it to my email address for me to download, or you can have them mail the disc to me. And if it's already on the internet, you can have your aides send me the link.
I look forward to your immediate response and it would be greatly appreciated.
Be well and God Bless!
Ambrose Ehirim,
The Ambrose Ehirim Files
Los Angeles, CA
“Your reply is needed for my aides to forward a copy to you both for duplication and your information” -------Ikedi Ohakim in his last mail to me.
When I had sent the April 14, 2010 mail, he was part of President Goodluck Jonathan's entourage on state visit to the United States.
Well, apparently, what had happened was Ohakim and his regime in Imo State had collaborated with the ruling party, PDP, to have Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) use the questionnaire I furnished to the governor to respond in like manner, but only to be twisted in that NTA interview to prepare the governor for a second term. It did not happen despite all the PDP forces coupled with helps from former president Olusegun Obasanjo and President Goodluck Jonathan himself.
The people of Imo spoke; and it’s not yet Uhuru!
