X-raying the manifesto of Emeka Ihedioha

Part 1

By Maduforo Onyeike

As the 2019 election draws closer, it’s important to pay attention to the manifestos of our political aspirants and within us, digest them to ascertain it’s content. Our politicians must be held responsible for what they said while seeking for power, any politician who does not keep to his ward lacks the qualities of a leader. A good leader must be a straightforward person, someone who is not out to play with your emotions. Someone who is realistic and consistent. Someone whose word is his bond.

Paying attention to the consultation train of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, CON, held recently in the electoral wards in Ohaji Egbema and Oru West, one will not be mistaken to give Ihedioha a pass mark. Ihedioha’s manifesto is simple but very rich, Easy but tasking, and most importantly realistic. Like I said earlier, a political campaign must be realistic.

On Health, Ihedioha among other things said insists that our health centers which gives access for proper healthcare to the rural women and Children, men and the youths must be fixed to serve its purpose. For Chief Ihedioha, Imo does not need to have one big ill equipped hospital in every Local Government but can have three specialist hospitals in the three zones, amplifying the efforts of the primary health care centers across the communities. In these Zonal hospitals, specialists will be put to work, qualified Imo youths who have various experiences in various medical fields will have the opportunity for gainful employment. Chief Ihedioha frowned at the fact that a pregnant woman in the rural area can not have access to proper medication unless He goes to Owerri. That for him is too tasking for a pregnant woman who deserves some quality time resting. “Activating the old health centers and construction of new ones where necessary will certainly put a stop to such situations”, Ihedioha believes.

On Sports, Ihedioha as a sports lover was not fulfilled with the level sports has been reduced to in the state. The state owned Heartland FC is battling for its soul in the National league and this is a self inflicted tragedy. Ihedioha taking over the mantle of leadership in 2019 will see to a total turnaround in Sports in Imo State. Heartland FC will be restructured to compete favorably with other state indigenous clubs. The players will be adequately motivated and proper talents harnessed for the job. Another area which he touched was the revitalization of Inter House Sports and physical education in our schools. Ihedioha believes that the younger generation must be properly tutored from cradle. “If you want your state to be producing world class players, athletes and others, you must start from the primary school to train them in those areas. They must take it as a hobby to actualize it. No body learns sports at old age”, these were the thoughts of Chief Emeka Ihedioha, even as he noted that Imo will have one of the best stadiums in the country. A place that will be serine for all sporting activities. Where families can go on weekends and have fun, where writers can go and attract tranquility. The Dan Anyiam Stadium and other mini sporting grounds across the state will be given proper attention. “We shall use our children who are doing well in International and National football, The Nwakalis, the Iheanachos, the Kanu Nwankwos, etc, must return home to show us the way. Our sports must be revived”, Ihedioha concluded.

On infrastructure, Ihedioha maintained that he is a man of quality, a man who appreciates something neat. A man who will change the infrastructural fortunes of Imo State to De Sam Mbakwe’s standard and even beyond. Ihedioha mentioned some of the roads he attracted to Imo State while in power, the Owerri/Elele Road, the Mbaaise ring road, the Okpala/ Igwritta Road, and many others, that are all sincere definitions of quality projects. “Attention will be paid to rural roads, ministry of works will assume its duty, an agency will be created specifically for road maintenance. They will compliment the efforts of the Ministry of works. Proactiveness will be key to development”, Ihedioha opined. His manifesto will solve the water problem in Imo State, standards will be restored in running the affairs of the state.

On Agriculture, the manifesto tagged it “aggressive agricultural revolution”. Being aggressive in this term means being determined, not looking back, being focused and working hard. Chief Ihedioha made emphasis on ADAPALM, which he noted should serve as the major source of revenue and employment to Ndi Imo. “A thinking government will use ADAPALM to solve its problems”, Ihedioha. The AVUTU poultry was not spared in the revolution. His manifesto was straight in noting that the poultry will be revived and the youths properly engaged. Beyond the normal poultry farming, a vocational education school on farming and other skills in agriculture will be created to ensure that the youths gets the necessary skills to manage their farms. Agriculture will be one of the saving graces of ndi Imo under the leadership of Chief Emeka Ihedioha.

On Education, attention will be paid to the schools in the rural areas, the classroom blocks must be made to look like a classroom where people think. The Teachers will be motivated to do their jobs. The universities will have a taste of quality education once again. Those in medical collages will graduate when they are supposed to and real free education will be practiced with quality attached to it. Students who are qualified to further their education abroad will be assisted by the State government to do so. Discipline must return to the schools. Students must not be seen outside until they are dismissed from school. Students going to school will be properly dressed and mannered. “Our people will once again appreciate public schools under my watch”, Ihedioha.

On Local government election, Ihedioha broke the rules when he urged the people to pass a vote of no confidence on him if after six months of leadership and Imo is still without elected local government Chairmen. He was specific on this, tracing that He was the co-Chairman of the constitution review committee under the 7th Assembly who ensured that Local Government Autonomy was granted in the amended constitution to Local government to encourage development. Despite contesting for governor at that point, Ihedioha was not looking at loosing the control of Local government allocation if elected, He was looking at the development that law if signed by the president, will attract for this great Nation. Beyond the LGAs, development centers will be revived to take development more to the grassroots. “Markets, water, electricity, and other minor challenges should not be a problem to Ndi Imo at this 21st century. We should have outgrown those things”, Ihedioha captured.

While the part 2 and other developments on this topic will pay attention to other areas, Rule of Law, Commerce, etc. However, it’s important to note that Ihedioha’s manifesto is the only antidote to real development in Imo State. There is no need going for good when one can attain excellent. Ihedioha represents the ideal leader Ndi Imo needs, a leader with compassion, a leader that is sincere, a contented and disciplined leader, a family man and a committed Christian. I urge Ndi Imo to partner with the Liberator-in-Chief to liberate Imo State. Ihedioha is the solution.

Thank you Maduforo Onyeike for this!