PROF. OBIARAERI FIRES BACK AT IMO PDP:

THAT IMO PDP PRESS CONFERENCE OF JUNE 3, 2021

I have read online the text of the Imo PDP Press Conference on the "worsening insecurity in Imo State" dated 3 June 2021.

With utmost respect, I regret to say that everything is wrong with the said Imo PDP Press Conference condensed into a text of nine paragraphs.

It was clearly a botched attempt at playing to the gallery and punching the air.

Opposition is about providing credible alternatives, not sounding politically correct, evasive or raising issues without proferring solutions.

The Imo PDP Press Conference fell flat on its face in these critical respects.

I buttress this assertion with the following-

1. Since Imo PDP knows that many persons have been extra-judicially killed or wounded either by non-state actors or overzealous State security agents, why did they not take time to find out the exact number and or true identities of these unfortunate persons?

2. Casually describing two innocent students of IMSU (one male and one female) killed in their prime whose respective identities are clearly known as *"the Imo State University (IMSU) student"* or another unfortunate male victim allegedly shot and killed in cold blood as *"the Imolite that was returning to his base in Germany"* is both insensitive and disrespectful to the deceased persons.

Such avoidable omissions did not show any seriousness on the part of Imo PDP as it would not have cost them anything to diligently compile the full names/identities and places of origin of all deceased persons including those who are allegedly unlawfully arrested and or being detained.

3. What did the Imo PDP do to console the respective families of the bereaved persons whether on the civilian side or on the side of the security agencies?

Certainly, Imo PDP has done nothing to console the families as the text of the Press Conference under reference did not say anything in that regard. Imo PDP ought reasonably to know that speaking verbose grammar without visiting, consoling and showing love to the grieving families is most unhelpful and inhumane.

4. The text of the Imo PDP Press Conference, if it was authored on patriotic grounds, should have contained details of PDP intervention and constructive engagement of the leadership of the different security agencies in the State either to-
(i) formally console them on the losses of their respective personnel/facilities, and or
(ii) clearly request them to be more professional and humane in handling the delicate security situation to avert future loss of lives, destruction of properties and unlawful arrests/detentions.

Ostensibly, Imo PDP did not say anything about that in the Press Conference because it has not deemed it fit to constructively engage the leadership of security agencies in Imo State on these matter but prefers, as it were, to be armchair critics.

5. Granted they may not want to visit the Imo State Governor because of partisan differences (and who says they cannot do so given the grave issues on ground), why did Imo PDP not realise that official visits to the leadership of the Army, Police, DSS, Correctional Service, NSCDC, Immigration, FRSC in Imo State to discuss first hand the "worsening security situation" would have produced better result than the Press Conference which did not contain what practical steps Imo PDP has taken and or is taking to de-escalate the heightened insecurity?

6. Calling on "Imo People to take their destiny in their own hands by convoking an all inclusive security summit immediately" as Imo PDP did in paragraph 9(d) of the text of the Press Conference is not only meaningless but a clear indication that Imo PDP is clueless about its serious role as the main opposition party in Imo State.

7. In the said Press Conference, why did Imo PDP not step up to the leadership plate by announcing the date, venue and invitees to the security summit?

Why is Imo PDP afraid to provide alternative credible leadership by owning the process of convening the so called security summit if indeed they believed that it will bring about lasting peace?

8. Sadly, the gamut of the text of the Press Conference which was characterised in the main by political jaywalking, ruing and laughable *"ikonu"* about their deserved loss of the Imo Governorship sit which they usurped showed that Imo PDP has not as yet realised that security remains a collective responsibility and that there is nothing like opposition when everyone's security is threatened.

9. Imo PDP can afford to do better next time.

In a democracy, oposition is serious business although it is not bows, arrows and cudgels.

10. Conclusively, any person or group of persons or public authority playing politics with the current insecurity in Imo State is not only insensitive but puerile.

The issues are clearly beyond APC, PDP, APGA or other partisan divides, tussles or shenanigans.

11. These are not normal times.

Beyond politics, the Federal and State Governments, Political Office holders, Political Parties and all stakeholders must quickly address, from their different columns, the immediate and remote causes of the worsening insecurity in Nigeria, South East Zone of Nigeria and Imo State in particular.

12. The State Governor may need to quickly reassess his governance syle and political strategies and see where to make necessary and desirable amends because sense is movement.

#Ako bu ije.

Ofu onye anaghi achu alika � mgbaja.

A new normal is possible!

�️
*Prof Obiaraeri, N.O.

Posted by;
Njoku Macdonald Obinna