Confusion of Governance in Imo State

Introduction
One will rightly wonder if the title is appropriate in the current political climate. Such question will only emerge where issues are blindly followed without critical and empirical analyses. In addition the ever liquid media platform that allocates cheap gravitas to sound bits have succeeded in confusing many citizens of the state on strategic issues or poverty of policy implementation. Especially the special species abroad. The purpose of this article is to navigate the rough waters of gap between observed and expected in the government or rather regime of Mr. Rochas Okorocha. 

Information
Historical information is essential toward understanding the lot of Imo State including anecdotal highlights. 2 years ago, Imo State was on the brink of political explosion where the erstwhile incumbent could no longer handle the ship of state. Aptly Imo State started tottering like an emergency patient. It is on the back of that collective experience that majority of the people voted for an alternative of course with feeble questions on the person of the incumbent governor.

I am equally aware that our 'imposed' political culture is raw, unrefined and undignifying. Mr. Rochas Okorocha naturally made the 'mother of all promises' including but not limited to 'building bridges were river do not exist'. He was taken at his word by many within default demographical and geographical parameters. Bear in mind of the anecdote that Imo State has the most educated/knowledgeable population. Maybe it will be handy!

For most citizens the highest priority in the land are summarised in 3 points; insecurity, poor economy and social justice. There is no suggestion that the current regime will overcome even 40% of inherited problem rather will make robust effort to put Imo State back on the road to holistic recovery with a legacy for future administrations to follow. 

Bull in China Shop
The first of confusion emerged with a statement credited to the governor that he's in a hurry. Even cattle rearers have not found the luxury to manage their beast as they please. Despite the confidence and patience of the electorate, the governor apparently confirmed initial concerns in some quarters that he lacked coherent plan or governing strategy. Rather he is deemed the front-face of the urban, privileged and powerful who pay lip service to the need of majority. In the dearth of transparent policies, he has resorted to 'one week, one policy' methodology as a means of governing. 

On insecurity, perception of crime and fear continues unabated without credible strategies to mitigate the situation. Kidnapping, stealing, corruption and defiance of the rule of law continues without obstruction turning the state into a space for fiends. No serious policy document has been released or any consultation paper emerged from either the executive or legislative arm. In effect the population is ruled from anywhere than through clear structured linkage to the state. His contributions to debates on state police and terrorism in the North are at best unconstructive and unproductive.

The economy continues to suffer despite all the comparative advantages including available labour, abundance of skilled manpower, diverse regional opportunities, proximity to commercial hubs of Aba, Ontisha and Port-Harcourt. Sadly state data on economic performance is absent. No serious analyst expects the state to provide all jobs rather hope it creates conducive atmosphere for investment and economic development. His first action in office was sacking 10,000 civil servants employed by his predecessor. These 10,000 men and women were violently pushed back into unemployment gallows. Something out of the colonial imperialist rule book!

Verbal-only Policy

There is no credible policy or structure for enhancing private sector investment to take advantage of huge labour market. On the contrary most attention is focused on public building construction which is temporary and unsustainable. Evidence is emerging that many of constructed roads are sub-standard, contractors are owed and some of the road contracts are over-estimated. It is alleged that some road cost N60 million per kilometre.

In the absence of credible economic plan, out-of-state migration will continue unchecked meaning that other states and countries benefit from our investments. Ignorance of the potentials for gradual development of Knowledge-based economy considering huge number of post-secondary school graduates each year for a state acknowledged as hub of education production is instructive.

Extra-urban areas remain stunted in development due to historical (abysmal) performance of local government authorities. Instead of skillfully engaging the incumbent LG Chairpersons for new brand of people-oriented governance, the governor felts that the strategic interest of Imo State was best served by shortsightedly sacking them which was illegal ab initio. By so doing he shot himself on the foot and cost the  state scarce resources. Political myopics 101!

LGs are natural poles of economic growth and economic development more so for a people who claim superiority of learning and knowledge, instead are now centres of crass malfeasance and corruption. Another testament to his allergy to due process is the now abandoned relocation of Imo State University to his hometown. I do not find serious issue with it so far it is backed by law and full investment is laid for reputable research institution not glorified secondary for Jurassic Park town council. Sadly there were no enabling laws and clear investment plan. Hollowness of the plan is confirmed in its costly abandonment and reversal.

Dark Ages

Our state remains a space of social injustice on many levels which stems in part from abuse of law, abuse of privilege, distortion of due process and inter-generational politico-cultural transition. The spatial dimension is vividly rendered in the continued attention to the few neo-urban centres of Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe in the allocation of state resources and direction of investments.

It is apparent that beyond the boundaries of these three locations, values, potential and importance zero in on residential functions. They are referred to as 'rural' hence require 'rural development'. The resident citizens are in effect second class citizens and second fiddle in contradiction of the fact that development in about man/woman in his/her full unique circumstance and consciousness regardless of location.

The latest attempt at challenging this contradiction in the new 4th Tier Law is early to refute/confirm. Nevertheless confirming gratuity, approving pension, obtaining spouse deed of death, obtaining certificate of occupancy and many more public service cannot be certified without paying illegal fees alias bribe. The poor are most hit as they have no one to plead their cause.  So what is happening in Imo State under the current regime is more of the same.

Conclusion
It is clear that Mr. Rochas Okorocha lack the calibre, pedigree, motivation and dedication to positively rule Imo State. Many pundits retort that his intention is noble forgetting that positive intentions are forged on empirical evidence. His political philosophy is crystallised in simple seduction of the electorate through the media to buy time for further accumulation with little substance to show for it.

Realistic investment in the citizens through robust public services in the economy, education, health, security and civil service is absent. In its place is incoherent and disorganised framework of patchy soundbits, unsound policy development, shallow rooted implementations and opaque disposition to due process. This is the hallmark of confusion which the state doesn't deserve or desire. There is opportunity for him to redress this situation in the remain years in office.

US Pit-Stop Diplomacy on Nigeria

Few days ago US Secretary of State, touched down in Abuja on her latest 11-country tour of Africa. While the whole package was at best shuttle diplomacy unfurled in emergency toward making 'strong statement' to Beijing, it is a distraction from the big meat of excruciating process of attempting regime-change in Damascus. In any case it is instructive to dissect significance of pit-stop, how it came about that Abuja is only fit to receive important ally and not host them; and how this visit fits into the current US African geopolitics.

There is no doubt in any watcher that Africa visit was significant as resident ambassadors were deemed unsuitable to deliver the message indirectly to Beijing from African capitals. US regime is bent on maintaining unchallenged stranglehold on Africa by any means and increased militarisation of diplomacy through US African Command (AFRICOM) inspires effort towards directly re-emphasising conformity to each capital. It is important to observe that Hilary Clinton slotted 3 (laps) stops in West Africa consisting of Dakar, Abuja and Accra. This illustrates the level of importance accorded the region and governments. You do not need to be Formula 1 fan to catch the drift. However in other 2 capitals explicit programmes of hosting were followed strictly were US entourage combined work with pleasure. Other capitals are deemed as full race laps while Abuja is given the derisory role of few 'seconds' pit-stop of dry catching up, refueling, checks and take-off. Tasks unfit for mechanic(s) and deserving of glorified race track operatives!

Different national and international media confirmed that Hilary Clinton spent only 5 hours in Abuja all given to meetings with the President and his coterie. It is a classic demotion and loss of confidence in GEJ/Abuja. One would wonder if they actually sat down. Now some reports suggest that subsequently planned engagements were cancelled during the visit for security reasons. Well, there may be other reasons beyond public display of surprise in situ as the stunt simply indicate US chickening out even in her sole superpower status. By so doing there is erroneous inflation of insecurity to embarrass Abuja as well as giving tacit unwarranted recognition to Boro Haram in the short term. This could blowback on Abuja as Boko Haram may feel emboldened. 

Given that State Department collate daily/timely primary security reports on Nigeria it is difficult to react negatively through cancellations in the name of 'perceived' threats in situ while been hosted. Who is the threat, where is it coming from beyond US capacity and how credible is the threat? Security watchers will concur on bungling of reception to spite a host. However there is no doubt the visit is more about (standing) GEJ reading his report card especially on crude oil export security and expected collaboration in AFRICOM including taking lead in Mali. Of course the crux of her post-meeting statements concentrated on insecurity, a humiliation and heavy indictment on GEJ. It carries a strong message that Nigeria is unsafe and unfit to host important delegations. 

There is no evidence that State Department feel Abuja is slipping away as its regard for Nigeria as 'bastion of stability' remain unchallenged. Population is in survival mode and politics reduced to survival parades for detailed US role to take centre stage. One can contend that so far as Niger Delta crude oil installations are secure, Boko Haram is insignificant. While China's influence increases, it has insignificant effect on US interest. Africa's handling of geopolitical interests has recently become sophisticated and nuanced with examples in Ethiopia and Angola profitably working between seams of divide demarcating West and Beijing. Survival (political) strategies of many African government diminishes erstwhile rash attention to ideological disparities of gift bearers hence flexible diplomatic operations towards obtaining the best deals from many worlds.

In the case of Nigeria, China's interest will continue to grow because of Beijing's culture of eschewing baggage in relations. As a growing economy with huge population demanding low end goods and basic services, Beijing has free reign in meeting Nigeria expectations through huge contracts and dumping. Crude oil interest is best maximised through fresh upstream activities and downstream sectors investment, in summary US strategic interest in Nigeria is secure in the short term. It must be stated that members of the armed forces are likely to travel to US for further training as this will continue rather than in Beijing. 

So Nigeria has received new star on her epaulets as the diminished giant fit to receive and not host the sole superpower. In classic diplomatic race where other capitals are credibly allocated full laps, Abuja can only muster a pit-stop. Another deserved demotion, humiliation and dress down in international relation and loss of eminence in global geopolitical architecture. As far as this pit-stop diplomacy is concerned Nigeria is a wash out and coated with indignity.

Lessons for Nigeria from Ghana

Introduction
Relationship between Nigeria and Ghana dates back to millenia however in the last 100 years various dimensions of this relationship has presented important signposts for closer interaction of mutual benefits. Despite disparity in territorial and population size, both countries have been marked with inevitable mutual dependence. However there is reason to question how much one learns from the other and how much one ignores excellence in the other.

Events

The colonial imperialist enterprise opened up avenues for greater interaction and many Nigerians found Ghana favourable economic, cultural and political landscape before the final 'assault' on their homeland. Notable Nigerians who experienced Ghanaian hospitality include but not limited to Nnamdi Azikiwe, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Murtala Mohammed and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu. 

In the bigger scheme of things their politics towards independence provided useful template for insight into contrasting lead politicians' worldviews, attitudes to geopolitics and attention to meaning of independence. To an extent Ghana took the leadership on certain issues such Pan Africanism with sustained panache. On many levels, Ghana in Kwame Nkrumah, displayed astute awareness and incredible foresight in  realistic challenges of independence for Ghana and the rest of Africa.

Comparatively, Nigeria's pre-independence leaders never appreciated the concentration of external forces working actively against their unity. Internal rivalry and primacy of regional patrimonies sedimented their myopia to confront strategic intentions of the colonial master. It was a decapitated political enterprise. No lesson was learnt from Ghana with unfolding consequences.

When military rule became the new African political evangelical, Ghana suffered numerous abuses and retrogressive governance until she finally stepped out its shadows with Mr. Jerry Rawlings trading centralised command for negotiated plural political capital. Since his departure from office, Ghana has maintained consistent attention to pluralistic political development with elections accepted as active norm without resort to illegal compromises. National governments have been voted in and out of Osu Castle with elegance of maturity and endurance of utmost confidence. Lessons are yet to be learnt in Nigeria.

Last month, Prof. John Mills, President of Ghana died in office. Ghana's politicians of different parties and affiliation rose to the challenge to plug potential power vacuum and potential infringement on national security. The machinery of politics and governance working through elected representatives, political parties and institutions invested in an immediate seamless transfer of executive powers to the erstwhile vice-president. An impressive display of political maturity and confidence of citizenship! Unfortunately there is no evidence that Nigeria will learn any lesson here.

Conclusion

In the matters raised above the proverbial 'giant' of Africa has failed miserably to rise to the challenge of maturity rather continue on the despicable path of huge retrogressive malfeasance and waste reclining in the bosom of remaining only strategic potential with no sight of violent abandonment of indignity for the dignifying garb of real excellence. In the mean time Ghana cannot be envied for taking the lead ahead of the tiny 'giant'.

Mrs Clinton's Tour and US Africa Project

Introduction
US Secretary of State, Mrs Hilary Clinton, has embarked on her latest shuttle diplomacy across select African countries. Watchers are serenaded by sense of expectation from the tour that will take her across the west, east and southern sub-regions of the continent. The geography of the trip is instructive; from Dakar, Senegal closes the western seaboard to tottering Juba, South Sudan anchoring the eastern flank and then a quick stopover in  Qunu, South Africa holding the fort off the Cape and finally in Accra, Ghana for state funeral of the immediate deceased President. Quite a quadrilateral encirclement shuttle! It is a signal to Beijing that for Washington DC, Africa is covered in full embrace. Of course this tour is equally ominous for Africans in the chivalrous moves on the geopolitical chessboard. 

However, her comment with regard to the tour offered an insight in the dark arts of diplomacy and US real intentions. In another undiplomatic verbal hemorrhage similar to earlier ones dished out against Russia, this was a clear shot across China's bow. Read BBC report. The comment was directed against China's increasing economic footprint and expanding influence across Africa. 

African Chessboard

On the contrary reality is not lost on Mrs. Clinton on morbid fear of many African on the rolling out of US design on Africa anchored on AFRICOM project which has militarised US diplomacy on Africa while serving as arrowhead of recolonisation of the continent. Under the guise of fighting terrorism which doesn't exist in Africa, US is investing huge resources in destabilising the continent and her peoples who are bystanders and victims in the questionable war against 'words'. It is instructive to Africans that the origin (Saudi Arabia) of the current waves of terrorism is off target-list for retributive military campaign.

DR Congolese citizens will continue to wonder at the silence and endorsement of US of the impunity, rape and annihilation of her peoples and mineral resources by her proxies in Kigali and Kampala. US has consistently refused to condemn Kigali for supporting, arming and encouraging destabilisation of DRC on her eastern frontiers. Somalis for decades now behold strong obstacles toward stability and unification in a complex logjam which endures as proxies in Nairobi and Addis Ababa toe the line.

Many Africans will conclude that US has not fulfilled any legible print of democracy in the continent but rather have sustained a long trail of merchandise in blood for over 5 decades. While democracy possess positive strains for politicking, US has not always supported its full flowering abroad if South America were an example until the last decade. Africans will also nod at US weakness in advancing democracy in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain. 

China Pivot

In any case there is no basis for Africa to deviate or reverse her relationship with Beijing for various reasons. Beijing has refused to treat Africans as simpletons rather advances an impressive credential of recognition in deed. Whether it is in trade, loan negotiation and diplomatic exchange; Beijing has refrained from interfering in internal affairs of countries. China pays for services and mineral resources at world prices. China offers Africa alternative mechanism and processes which US and her western European satraps held so long as tools of imposition, imperialism and neocolonialism. It is on record that China has never invaded any African country or sponsored destabilisation of African peoples. Africans know vividly that China is equally a victim of colonisation. 

Africans are not going to fall for undiplomatic bluster which reveals another strand of instruction on who to deal with or how to deal them. Rather Africans know there is enormous opportunity for US to positively reconstruct her policy on Africa through serious strategies of sustainable engagement, respect, trade and civilian investment. Current US policy under a president conceived from African loins is costly in resources and heavy in African blood. It is a strategic failure that State Department refuse to reconsider the fullness of Africa's maturity in her unreconstructed view that Africa is only a battleground for bloodshed and mineral resource extraction. The tour will be crowned by lightweight soundbits here, few misplaced dollars there and immemorial photoshots to boot.

History is very clear that State Department will not change her counter-productive moves on Africa especially now that her satraps in Paris and London are economically morbid and eviscerated of geopolitical dignity. Of course these satraps will continue to prod their elite that on Africa, remora diplomacy is better than total absence from the shark's proximity. It is a better option following their unwilling surrender of erstwhile patrimonies!

Conclusion

The radical reality after all is said and done is that China needs Africa more than Africa need Beijing, the same applied to Washington DC. There is a saying in (Igbo) Africa, that when the strong pins the weak to ground it only pins oneself down. The lion may be the strongest animal in savanna, it doesn't always kill on every hunt hence increased diversity of species.