Imo Speaker Loses Seat

WHILE Owelle Rochas Okorocha celebrated yesterday for breaking the jinx that had, since 1999, kept the APGA away from the seat of power in the state, the Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Mr. Goodluck Opiah, may not return to the assembly in next democratic dispensation.Opiahs hope to represent his constituency, Ohaji/Egbema, has been dashed at the polls by APGAs Luis Chuckwu, who polled over 14,000 votes to the Speakers, over 12,000 votes.Opiah represents the PDP in the outgoing legislature.Okorocha, who emerged on the platform of the APGA for the governorship poll, had been a strong member of the PDP, having occupied the position of Special Adviser during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.The current National President of the Nigeria Red Cross Society had indicated interest to occupy governorship post in 1998/99, but lost to the internal wrangling of the PDP at the time.A zonal arrangement in the state, known as Imo Equity Charter, had seen Owerri zone take its slot with the ascendancy of late Evan Enwerem in 1991. He ruled for 18 months.Achike Udenwa, from Orlu Zone, ruled for eight years (2003-2007), while incumbent Governor Ohakim, who began his tenure under the platform of the PPA in 2007, would have concluded in 2015, if the electorate had returned him.It had been the partys slogan that Ohakim should have handed over to an Owerri man in 2015. But the wish of Imo people, in the election, changed the arrangement.Since the creation of Imo State in 1976, this is first time an incumbent would fail to be re-elected for a second term.Okorocha broke the jinx, despite huge funds allegedly spent by the serving governor in the 27 local councils of the state to retain his seat.Most people believe that Okorocha may have won the election based on his philanthropy and scholarship programme that has benefited 5,000 orphans, pupils and students from indigent homes in the country.He has also maintained a free education and takes care of the indigenes and residents of Imo State.Ohakims popularity and influence in the state has reportedly dwindled due to the introduction of the Imo Environmental Transformation Commission (ENTRACO), which led to demolition of churches, illegal structures and shanties, forcing people back to their ancestral homes unceremoniously.Okorocha is said to have capitalized on the governors alleged role in the manhandling of a Catholic priest last year
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