Rescue Mission For Rochas By Professor (Prince) Edward Oparaoji

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By Edward Oparaoji

 The euphoria that greeted the expulsion of Ikedi Ohakim from and the election of Rochas Okorocha to the Douglas House Owerri,  Imo State, on May 29, 2011, has quickly fizzled out. Replaced with bewilderment, astonishment and disbelief emerged, as Imolites watch Rochas self destruct. I was unable to find any record of any leader that has sunk so precipitously in popularity, in so short a time - Not even by the standards of the dictatorships he appears to mimic!

Rochas can only blame himself, because he came into office with a tremendous amount of goodwill – which is rare in today’s Nigeria’s political space. His problem is that he has failed to recognize when campaigning stopped and actual governing started. If he had known the difference between those two exercises, he would have selected his advisers with effective governance in mind. They, in turn, would have advised him on how better to handle the bungled issues of the 10,000 jobs he panned; the firing of the “elected” local government chairmen; his brazen interference with management of educational, town unions and traditional rulers’ institutions; the obsession with battling the legacy of Ohakim; the ill-conceived appointment of his minions “otimkpus” (Praise Singers) as advisers for everything that exists; assigning key commissionership position to his fugitive Deputy Governor;  taking delight in delaying payment of wages; and ignoring the decaying infrastructures, high unemplyment and capping all with the abuse of due process. The list goes on.
 

There is a saying that, “you never know what you have until you lose it”, but I never believed it would ever apply to Ohakim (at least not this soon), but Rochas has managed to prove me wrong. His actions and inactions have started to make Ohakim look quite good to Imolites, who now express nostalgia for Ohakim’s tenure. A case is in point is the appearance of Owerri. Why would Rochas allow Owerri, the seat of government, to deteriorate so quickly? At some point, during Ohakim's reign, most of us took it for granted that Owerri was clean, and failed to give enough credit to whom it was due. Thanks to Rochas we now know it actually took efforts by Ohakim’s administration to keep Owerri relatively clean. Rochas, unintentionally, is succeeding in rehabilitating Ohakim’s image, a feat Ohakim was unable to accomplish for himself during his 4 years in office. 

 Imolites seem to be saying mea culpa with their massive pageant-like turn out, to welcome Prof. (Mrs.) Viola Onwuliri (Ohakim’s running mate during the 2011 gubernatorial election), as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, as well as Ohakim, during their recent separate visits to Imo State, respectively.
 

Rochas’ performance so far can be summarized as “visible with little substance”. He appears to be way out of his league and needs a rescue mission already.  As an Imolite interested in the welfare of Imo State, my advise would be, ‘strike the rod while still hot!”, focus on collaborative and not confrontational initiatives. Time is running, there is no second chance for a good first impression.
Prof. Edward Oparaoji,                                                                           Chairman, Eastern Mandate Union- Abroad &                                      Solon Institute, Washington DC, USA

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Frothing in the Mouth

@anonimous,
Oh wow some frothing in the mouth! I see you were hit as hard as the prof. hit your master con artist Rochas huh! You seem to know the Prof so well and why are you anonimous then? All talk and no balls? Anyway, from my neutral corner, I agree with the prof. Rochas is a clueless dirth bag. He will be at most a one term failed governor. Please take your medication cos I bet this my comment will set your madness off. Sorry oo!

Dis Oparaoji man again?

Is this not the same Edward Oparaoji that lambasted Goodluck Jonathan for Appointing Bianca Ojukwu as d Diaspora sthing???what is wrong with this man? Why didn't you lambast GEJ when he appointed your sister, Viola Onwuliri Minister? Na wa ooo, power trully corrupts. I guess you are jobless in the US, your sister can make you her PA, just come back home. It was also your wife that pleaded that people of Imo state should vote Ohakim bcos he chose her sister in-law as deputy? Make una go rest na, haba! No b by force to be in power, so disappointed that you can stoop low to write this nonsense. Am still disappointed at Viola for accepting to b Ohakim's deputy, birds of a feather trully flocks together, biko go and rest, boffon!

Chukwuemeka Edward Oparaoji is a BIG FOOL!

u are an idiot of d highest order, a big fool, prince my foot! U r still lickin ur wound frm d failure of ur lunatic sister Viola Onwuliri. sorry, I knw u already made d arrangement on how 2 loot Imo state wit d fool of ur sister, mumu Obessed man. Come back 2 Naija & make dt noise, u think dis will b d way u sent ur step-mother out of her matrimonial home after d death of ur father. I have always known dia was something dubious abt u, Viola, Ndubuisi & another fool of ur siszter Genevieve Ngozi Nwigwe, quack doctor. U neva wrote anything wen Ohakim was embezzellin Imo state fund, Idiot!!! Why wnt u support Ohakim? God will punish u & ur generation. Let see how ur stupid Minister sister will be Governor in Imo state. Go & rule ur Ahiazu pple & stop bad mouthin Rochas. Am nt Rochas FAN, but I knw u & ur whole power drunk clan.Go lick ur wound & shut ur trap in US. Is d money Viola is stealing as a Minister nt enuf S u? BIG FOOL! U r jst a bigger failure urself, bagger!

Chukwuemeka Edward Oparaoji is a BIG FOOL!

u are an idiot of d highest order, a big fool, prince my foot! U r still lickin ur wound frm d failure of ur lunatic sister Viola Onwuliri. sorry, I knw u already made d arrangement on how 2 loot Imo state wit d fool of ur sister, mumu Obessed man. Come back 2 Naija & make dt noise, u think dis will b d way u sent ur step-mother out of her matrimonial home after d death of ur father. I have always known dia was something dubious abt u, Viola, Ndubuisi & another fool of ur siszter Genevieve Ngozi Nwigwe, quack doctor. U neva wrote anything wen Ohakim was embezzellin Imo state fund, Idiot!!! Why wnt u support Ohakim? God will punish u & ur generation. Let see how ur stupid Minister sister will be Governor in Imo state. Go & rule ur Ahiazu pple & stop bad mouthin Rochas. Am nt Rochas FAN, but I knw u & ur whole power drunk clan.Go lick ur wound & shut ur trap in US. Is d money Viola is stealing as a Minister nt enuf S u? BIG FOOL! U r jst a bigger failure urself, bagger!

Rochas is a total disaster!

@Ike, Ike, Tony, onyeeze, Julius, Nkechi and whatever else your names is. You couldnt even disguise yourself. What a loser like your master Rochas. We are smart enough to know you are one and the same person. I dey laugh oooooo! Any hooo, since Rochas came into office, workers strike is now the order of the day. Rochas is a total disaster! God help us!

Rochas is a total disaster!

@Ike, Ike, Tony, Julius, Nkechi and whatever else your names is. You couldnt even disguise yourself. What a loser like your master Rochas. I dey laugh oooooo! Any hooo, since Rochas came into office, workers strike is now the order of the day. Rochas is a total disaster! God help us!

Stay the course prof!

"There is a saying that, “you never know what you have until you lose it”, but I never believed it would ever apply to Ohakim (at least not this soon), but Rochas has managed to prove me wrong" Going by the rants of the Rochas foundation bottom plate lickers here, means Prof. Oparaoji hit a sore nerve. I believe he did, cos all Ive seen here in Imo so far is a 419 con artist do nothing governor. Prof. Oparaoji did wel to call hm out! Just to remind all, that Prof. Viola Onwuliri, rejected Rochas commissionership...ouch that must have hurt. I know the Oparaojis and Rochas....Rochas dont even come close. Stay the course prof!

Stay the course prof!

"There is a saying that, “you never know what you have until you lose it”, but I never believed it would ever apply to Ohakim (at least not this soon), but Rochas has managed to prove me wrong" Going by the rants of the Rochas foundation bottom plate lickers here, means Prof. Oparaoji hit a sore nerve. I believe he did, cos all Ive seen here in Imo so far is a 419 con artist do nothing governor. Prof. Oparaoji did wel to call hm out! Just to remind all, that Prof. Viola Onwuliri, rejected Rochas commissionership...ouch that must have hurt. I know the Oparaojis and Rochas....Rochas dont even come close. Stay the course prof!

Oparaoji, Please, can you

Oparaoji, Please, can you help us list some of these legacies of your Ohakim? I am having a hearty laugh here in Owerri, thinking how greed can arrest a man. Oparaoji, your sister can never be deputy governor and you can take the Ikiri, Ohakim and make him the head of your family because he gave a yeye deputy tag to your sister. Imo people have consigned him to the place he belongs to-the zooo!!! Hahahahahahahhaaaa!!!! Can you hear me laugh? Bad belle professor!

Can this writer just mention

Can this writer just mention one, I didnt say two, achievements of Ohakim that has made him suddenly valuable when Rochas implemented a free education Ohakim campaigned was not possible? You can try to misinform the people but you won't succeed with the manner this writer took to show his greedy inclination. To suddenly find comfort in evil because that evil patronized you? We are finished in this country.

The Sun reported that

The Sun reported that Ohakim’s home coming Oparaoji is celevrating here was massively boycotted by even his standpatters. Only three commissioners and a handful of cronies were on hand to receive that failed governor and proven con artist and a rag tag women group was quickly spirited from Umuohiagu to ululate the returning thief. No one in Imo knows when Oparaoji’s sister, who was Ohakim’s running mate, made her own visit but who cares? From his US residency, Oparaoji conjured a fraudult picture of rousing reception to sell a dubious point no sane Imo man shares-just for the loss his sister incurred. Na wa o!

Prof Oparoji goofed big time

Prof Oparoji goofed big time in this trash! Thought he was an activist? And now singing the praises of a base fellow and con criminal like Ohakim and the PDP because of the jaded gift of running mate theyr gave to his sister? That shows you the nature of Nigerian activits. They will easily sway to where their stomach churns. Nnaa ikpariala onwe gi with this stupid article.

Hahahahahaha, Prof indeed. He

Hahahahahaha, Prof indeed. He did not tell the forumites that his immediate younger sister for whom he was conjuring an immaginary rousing welcome as minsiter of state for foreign affairs was the tag team of the Ikiri brigade. Prof indeed. You have exposed yourself!

Oparaoji disappointed most of

Oparaoji disappointed most of us that know him. He is still mourning the loss his younger sister, his so called minister for foreign affairs and her master Ikiri suffered last April. I am in Owerri presently and you need to see the roads Ikiri cannot even patch in four years become so smooth and motorable with Rochas; Operation Zero Pothole campaigns. For a pro democrat to now start singing the praises of a shadowy character because he picked his sister as running mate is disastrous. Pro, you goofed full time!

Too many cooks spoil the broth

Rochas problems, largely created by him, is compounded by his appointment of all these special assistants who are either not advising him right or he is not heeding their advise. I believe that too many cooks spoil the broth. Although the man is a mediocre at best, for the sake of our suffering citizens he better succeeed.

Great Piece

This is a great piece! A word is enough for the wise.If the man Rochas has any sense he should quickly refocus on solving Imo State problems first, before dabbling into running for president. Here in Imo people have started calling him Ikirir ka onye oshi nmma (calling him a thief compared to Ohakim)

rochas has barely been

rochas has barely been governor for three months and oparaji is passing judgement on a man that has not settled down..im forced to think that this write is nothing but an attempt to disparage a governor whose commitment to justice and accountability is not doubtful..imo state is about to get the APGA touch and oparaji and his ohakim apologists cannot stop a moving train.i knew this type of complaints from those of you who profited from the old order at the expense of the common people would come..im from anambra state,our imo brethrens endured too much from ohakim and interestingly,we are now seeing the faces of those that urged him on ..we are seeing their faces,oparaj has been unmasked.

Fugitive Deputy A Mistake

For Rochas to appoint his deputy a known US fugitive as commissioner of works is a big mistake. Who would want to come and invest in a state that appear to embrace a fugitive? Lets assume it was a mistake he became deputy governor, but to appoint him to a critical department after his misdeeds are known shows poor judgement by Rochas.

Rochas making Imo a joke

All these talk about concentration of assets in Owerri is a distraction from the problem with Rochas. He has done nothing of substance since taking office period. I dont care where he locates the project. Imagine appointing more assistants than the President. Accusing past administration of financial mismanagement then telling us the State is not broke. Ohakim has no immunity now, so if he stole money he should be prosecuted. Otherwise shut up and govern. Rochas is making imo a joke, a laughing stock. God help us!

With Supporters Like These

With supporters like these Rochas and Imolites are in a bigger trouble that I ever imagined. On one hand Rochas should not be responsible for keeping Oweri clean, but he is being commended for personally distributing kerosene? By the way I didnt read Oparaoji advocating more for Owerri other than maintenance. I bet the issue is that other than continued fighting a won Ohakim battle Rochas is yet to visibly demonstrate a credible blue print for the state.

Truth is Bitter

The Truth can be bitter, but shouldnt make you jump off the bridge. From Prof. Oparaoji's write up, I dont see him supporting Ohakim, and I know for sure he was equally critical of Ohakims administration. Yes his criticism of Rochas adminstration is pungent but accurate. It is for Rochas and his praise singers to heed the advise or confront Ohakims faith. Like he said "time is running".

LGA Chairmen Clean streets, Not state Governors. Develop other A

Oparaoji, You claim you live in the US. City mayors vlean the streets. Not state governors. In Nigeria, City LGA Chairmen clean streets, not state governors. A governor governs all parts of the state. Ohakim did not know what he was elected for.
The problem with the Oparaji clan is that they were overpampared by the military to believe that a state capital is all there is to develop and clean up in the state. Other areas for them can go to hell. And they have refused to shed that false belief uptill now.
Imo state is the only state in Nigeria where all the five academic institutions in the state as well as any thing that enhances development are located only within the state capital. Owerri LGA Chairmen need to clean up Owerri so that money can be spared to developed other areas of the state also.

The Facts Are Stubborn

From the reactions of those defending Rochas I read desperation and inability to adduce facts. Facts are stubborn. The Prof. Laid them out short and clear. Personal attacks on the well known erudite prof. doesnt help Rochas case. You all begining to sound shrill incoherent as if the same person posting your rubbish. I know Prof. Oparaoji, he is impeccable.

Eddy Oparaoji is desperate

Eddy Oparaoji is desperate for money and wants Rochas to settle him. INEC delisted PMP (from where he was getting some money and he wants Imo money. A "professor"? He is an embarrassment to the academia. I heard he plagiarized one Igbo man in the US; he sent two articles in the name of the Igboman's without the man's consent. The man sent letter to many people to have him tell the online newspapers to remove his name or take down the artcles. Have setteled with the man? While advertising that he was a NADECO member, he was secretly negotiating with Abacha regime to be made Nigerian ambassador in the U.S.

Where is this writer from??

Rochas is doing well. Where are you from??. In the USA, no wonder

Please leave Governor Rochas alone.

Prof before you raise your tongue against people's governor Rochas think twice because you may provoked the anger of God.If you have not forgotten your old friend Ohakim, forget him with a cut in security vote. Imo State was broke it will take some time to get things moving to it's right direction. May I ask you, do we have Local Government in Imo State? What was their work? Can you show us one single project executed by any of 27 LGAs in Imo State during Ohakim's regime? Even a baby in Imo State knows how Ohakim was managing LGA as his own private company.

Deep Behind the Imo Rumbles: Imo Is Two States Put in One.

This article is ill motivated. Believe me, Imo state, no matter how small it is in landmass is two states merged into one. The political wranglings among the various groups in the state must always upset any governor of the state. Imo is a state constituted by various groups, but unfortunately, every immainable development in the state is only in the state capital. Example: there is no other state in Nigeria we have five federal and state universities, polytechnics and college of education in a state located only in the state capital and its immediate environs alone, except in Imo state. Since Abia state was carved out of old Imo state in 1991, it is not much exaggeration to say that nearly 95% of Imo state's capital expenditure has been sunk into the development of infrastructure only in the state capital, yet the Oparaojis would not let others in the rest of Imo state have rest of mind, they want more and more at the expense of others.

Prof. Oparaoji: Imo state Is Not Owerri, Owerri Is Not Imo state

Prof. Your major complaint is that Gov. Okorocha does not keep Owerri clean. And you claim to live in the US. So in the US, is it the state governor or the Mayor of the state capital that is responsible for keeping the state capital clean? It is the Mayor of the state capital, of course. In Nigeria, the local government chair is the equivalent of the Mayor in the US. The state governor is the governor of the entire state, and not the governor of Owerri. If the governor is engrossed with refuse disposal in Owerri, he is also constrained to do same in every other town and hamlet in Imo state. If the governor is engrossed with refuse disposal, what then is the role of the chairmen? Wake up man. Ohakim hardly knew what he was elected to do in Imo state. Ohakim hardly knew what his duties were. And he failed. Prof. Imo state is not Owerri, Owerri is not Imo state, military rulers gave most of you that impression which you have refused to offload.

Give ursef brain now

My frend if u dnt av any reasonable thing to say,go and watch cartoon and laugh off ur sorrow....u re complianin abt nkeiru sylvannus appointment whereas arnold schwazenneger was one time governor of carlifornia.....even barack obama had one time featured in a music video b4 bcoming president...so dere's no problem abt dat ok

Prof. Oparaoji: Imo state Is Not Owerri, Owerri Is Not Imo state

I expected to read where Prof. E. Oparaji would list the evil deeds of Gov. Okorocha that made the governor need to be rescued. Oparaji's major grouse against Okorocha was that the governor does not keep Owerri clean.
Mr Oparaji, you claim to reside in the US: in the US, is it the Governor of a state or the city's Mayor that is responsible for keeping every city clean? The Mayor of course. It is the same thing in Nigeria. Imo state governor is the governor of all Imo state, not the governor of Oweeri. If the governor must also become Chief Refuse Collector of the state, what then is the role of Chairman of Owerri Local government? Ohakim did not know what he was elected for, and for four years he nearly acted Chairman of Owerri Local government Council, while the rest of Imo state was going down the drain. Wake up man, Owerri is only the capital of Imo state, Owerri is not Imo state. Petition the Owerri Metropolitan or City Council to keep Owerri clean.