Peter Obi And The OBIdients In Imo State

Peter Obi And The OBItients In Imo State

By Sam Amadi

Anyone who knows the popular sentiment in Imo knows that Imo people like Peter Obi, perhaps more than Anambra people. I know many Anambra top politicians who resent Peter Obi. Some of them hate his “we don’t give shishi’ mentality. Anambra people have also seen some good governance starting with Peter Obi. But Imo people have seen only terrible governance at the hands of Governors who were basically either clueless or criminal, since Sam Mbakwe left office as governor of the state. Most persons who have been legislators and executives in Imo state at different levels are 419 kingpins. Imo politics is actually 419 politics. For this reason, Imo people are longing for something that resembles technocratic or professional leadership. We long for a Peter Obi, a Soludo or even an Obiano (a former top bank executive), notwithstanding how seemingly disoriented he looked.

So it is not surprising that the ObiDient movement and fever are high in Imo State, more than in Anambra. Emeka Ihedioha’s harsh cancellation over an untoward statement he made in Ghana that suggested the people should vote for Atiku is a testament to this Obi fever. He was crucified, quite unfairly.

But, it is a tragedy that a people who embrace Peter Obi whose selling point is a high ethical politics and demonstrates integrity will also embrace the kind of characters who have flooded into the ObiDient Movement and are receiving cheers and approval.

Someone sent me a text from Owerri that Senator Ararume is taking over the Labour Party and the ObiDient Movement in Imo. He was shocked. This is a professional who supports Peter Obi for the very opposite attributes that define the persona of Senator Ifeanyi Ararume. We also heard that Uche Nwosu and Agbaso have joined and are waxing strong. (The former has since repudiated the story). In fact one or two 419 kingpins hold legislative tickets of the party. How can that be, he queried. Well, I know better. That’s how the cookies crumble. The masses often go on a wave, especially if the moment feels good. But they don’t understand the meaning of that wave. The Peter Obi wave is a cry for disruption, for a new politics, an alternative politics, not a politics of alternative. But Imo people seem not to know this.

What Peter Obi represents cannot be found in most of the people embracing him and his movement in Imo for political convenience. Even Hope Uzodinma is better than most of them. Not to talk of Emeka Ihedioha. Not to talk of other great Imo sons and daughter who are as good or better than Peter Obi.

It looks like a good meal like the Obi movement will leave an ugly taste in Imo. It is the usual case of Imo that the 419 kingpins and powerful criminals who oil its wheel of stagnation will again ensure that this feel-good moment ends on a sour taste for Imo people.

One thing I know: I will not cut off my face to spite my nose. I will never be part of a movement that allows criminally minded and clueless characters to continue to ruin Imo under the guise of any movement or moment.

Peter Obi And The OBIdients In Imo State