By Chris Onuoha:

By November 11, 2023, Imo State alongside Kogi and Bayelsa States would go to polls to complete the 2023 off-cycle election season and decide who pilot the affairs of the States in the next four years.

However, Imo State, amongst the other two, stands significantly important because of the ensuing challenges the State has been into of late. Imo has been grappling with economic hardship in the country orchestrated by insecurity and other heinous atrocities that had grounded economic activities in the State.

The State is also suffering governance deficiency because of election disputes. These has also affected the mindset of the citizenry in the trust they would ordinarily have in the politicians, the umpire and judiciary.
Peoples’ confidence is somehow at the low, thereby creating more chaos in what Imolites should believe in or not.

As of today, election disputes in Imo State, both at the State and Federal legislative level including governorship still pose a challenge. It makes it difficult for innocent voters to show enthusiasm in the electioneering process with an inquisitive feelings of ‘if their votes will eventually count.’

In spite of all these, Imo State because of its strategic position, location and significance in Nigeria’s economic map and wellbeing, must not be ignored; neither be put in the hand of incompetent leaders nor its destiny sold to moneybags.

Imo State, with its sizeable land mass and people has proved to be a ‘dot’ with unimaginable untapped potentials; humanly and naturally endowed. This is the reason why Imolites are seriously yearning for a messiah to pull them out from the hands of jokers.

Senator Athan Nneji Achonu is a businessman, investor, philanthropist and a community developer. His entrant into the race and quest to take over Imo State challenges from the hands of those that stagnate its growth stems from reflections of Mbakwe days.

He grew up to witness the kind of spirit Sam Mbakwe injected into the growth and development of Imo State. He noticed how Mbakwe cried for attention and eventually attracted it in a measure. He enjoyed the establishment of electricity power stations and some good roads Mbakwe built. He also saw how the crying governor industrialized the small State to a measure.

These, also inspires his querying mind to move into action. He tried to live that dream with a shot at the Senate. It was shortlived because of political gimmicks which had continually put the State in a stagnant status.

Undaunted, he re-engineered his spirit and decided to face the challenge squarely by contesting for governorship. And there is no other platform to actualise this, other than aligning with a man, Peter Obi, whose wisdom, ideology matches with his own expectations.

Sen Athan Nneji Achonu is the governorship candidate for Labour Party in the November 11 Imo special election. His efforts towards actualising this speaks volume. He started the race, the awareness outreach, the townhall ‘meet and greet’ with Imolites and Ndi-Igbo in general very early. He also extended it to Imolites in diaspora, to show forth his readiness to take over and carry Imo State challenges upon his shoulder.

He has withstood all oppositions, propaganda, aspersions, allegations and appeal by ‘bad-belle’ folks for him to step down. All these did not wane his bubbling spirit. He has also fortified his campaign ahead of opponents even at the expense of campaign billboard deprivation by the State agents.

Today, Agu Otu Aka has remained rigid, dogged, resilient and strongly ready to lead Imo State. This is not time of quota or equity review because, the situation in Imo State today does not warrant such scrutiny. If it so, then the entire State collectively, wouldn’t have assented to Supreme Court rulling over Hon Emeka Ihedioha’s outsted as governor.

Imo deserves good leadership. Senator Athan Achonu has paid his dues in all aspects to take over this position. He laboured for it, not because he wants the position by all means, but that, Imo State, at this point in time, needs a messiah who will rescue it from problems.

His manifesto which tells more of his well programmed framework is just an added advantage to his idealistic acumen. He is called by his fans as ‘Idea distillery’ because of creative initiatives in business. He initiated the “Wealth that resides at home” movement popularly known as “Aku Ruo Ulo” mandate which is sweeping around Igbo land today.

This wake up call on Igbo nation to develop their land has endeared him to numerous fans and goodwill enthusiasts who throng his campaign rallies to identify with him. Today Achonu is on the chess board for a real game.

Imolites should realise that gambling with destiny is the worst that could happen to a progressive mind. Let’s see the light and follow the light.
Imo shall rise again.