*IS OWELLE ROCHAS OKOROCHA WORSE THAN THE ALTERNATIVES FROM THE OTHER GEOPOLITICAL ZONES?*

Rochas Okorocha may be a philanthropist, real estate entrepreneur, and politician, a target of endless probes and, quite possibly, Nigeria's next president. But most of all, the main issue in Imo State politics. Owelle conversely conducts himself as his favorite philanthropy considering the number of public assets traceable to companies and foundations associated with him and his comic references are legendary "I’m richer than Imo, I can’t steal from small state money."

In another time, the braggadocio of the man who likes to be called Owelle might amuse his transducers. But today's Nigeria is no joke. The economy, youths restiveness, and insecurity make a lot of Nigerians nervous. Sen Okorocha has come under such a torrent of criticism on social media, some of it concerned, some of it political and contemptuous especially from Orlu senatorial zone.

It is not the first time that Owelle, Imo State's self-acclaimed richest (former) governor, has been on center stage. Without a doubt, Sen. Okorocha has singlehandedly trained many young indigent people through his Rochas Foundation than any living person from the South East.

During the 2011 elections, Sen. Okorocha won the governorship election, and at the time, he was a curiosity. Even though Owelle formed a political party Action Alliance (AA ) from the scratch but against all odds won re-election under the All Progressives Congress (APC) when the party was unpopular in the South East.

Eight years of missed opportunities as the executive governor occasioned by poorly conceived and badly executed projects, alleged abuse of power, and conversion of public assets had impacted negatively on his goodwill but Sen. Okorocha remains the most recognizable Igbo name amongst the voters in northern Nigeria.

There is widespread consternation at the escalating diatribe with his successor at Douglas House, the seat of government in Imo State. The question is on which political party will Owelle contest the presidential election? It's not just a matter of personality or platforms. The discomfort centers on his ongoing investigation and trial by the anti-graft agency.

Some commentators felt constrained to remind Nigerian voters that they must uphold certain values that the election of Sen. Okorocha would contradict. Owelle denounces the allegations against him as a political witch hunt.

On the 31st of January, 2022, Sen. Okorocha declared his intention to run for the presidency of Nigeria in 2023 and promised to reunite the country, provide free access to education, from basic to the secondary school level, and that the youths would be given the chance to develop their skills and contribute to the development of the country. Some have said that Owelle speaks a lot and says beautiful things.

Politics can be messy torment. But even at its messiest, as I have inquired about many times: Is Owelle worse than the alternatives from the other geopolitical zones?

I come in peace ✌️

Chidiebere Heavens Agwunobi Esq.