By: Sam. Onwuemeodo.
One of the leading lmo based newspapers, THE EASTERN LEAD, with a highly polished young man as the Publisher, had come up with lists of six hundred and forty lmo citizens, male and female, and branded them, “THE MOST INFLUENTIAL IMO POLITICIANS”. That was on May 8, 2024. The report was online too.
At the State level, one hundred lmo indigenes were listed as the most influential politicians. While twenty persons were published as the most influential politicians in their respective local governments. Most of those lined up at the State level, equally made the lists of their individual local governments.
When l saw the publication, the desire was to take up the tabloid on what it published. I had wanted to know what informed such categorization. What made the listed people most influential politicians in the State and in their respective local governments. What were the yardsticks or the factors considered or the template for arriving at those concerned. How they arrived at the names.
My enthusiasm to engage the newspaper and its editorial team disappeared or evaporated when l saw the inscription, ” advertorial”, boldly written on each of the six pages carrying the publication. In other words, the list or the material was not the creation or the making of the newspaper. A group, CONCEPT MASTERS, was behind the compilation and publication of the Six hundred and forty “most influential politicians in lmo”.
Yet, the editor or the newspaper left much to be desired, when the authors of the list or when those who compiled the list failed or refused to sign the document or append their names. There was no signatory or signatories. Nobody signed the list. Those behind the list could not also drop their names against what was published, at least, to claim responsibility.
The management of the newspaper would have insisted that those who brought the document for publication, either sign for it or sign the indemnity form in case of eventuality or eventualities. In case, People or anybody would want to challenge or react to the publication.
With all these ingredients missing, the Medium ended up publishing “anonymous” write-up. That’s where the tabloid got it wrong. Where it defaulted. Where it goofed.
For not signing or putting their names down, as the owners of the document, was enough indication that those behind the publication didn’t believe in what they did. Or what they had done. They were perhaps, out for mischief. They were not honest to themselves. They were not sure of what they did. And it’s very unfortunate. It was a deliberate insult to the reading public.
The contention or feeling of mischief was further strengthened when one carefully goes through the lists. For instance, someone listed twenty most influential politicians in Owerri North and could not remember Alex Mbata. Mbata who had given out through his Foundation. And you see names of those who have always receive from others, but do not give. How could people who do not ” give” influence things?. Become most influential? That’s the problem with the list in each of the local governments. In the list of ldeato South, Dr Pascal Obi was no where to be found. I am only trying to expose the mischief of those behind the Project. Pascal Obi who was Chief of Staff to the government of lmo State for eight years and a former Member of the House of Representatives. And who must have in the circumstances influenced certain things for his people. But you could see known recipients of Palliatives being listed as most influential. I do not understand.
However, the pertinent question is this ; does lmo has a total of 640 most influential politicians?. Your answer should be as good as mine. Or, your guess should be as fantastic as mine. I do not think so. Either those who did that job could not understand the operational meanings of the words, “Most and lnfluential” , or they were out to achieve a very tiny goal.
Most influential in terms of what?. Winning or influencing outcome of elections? Or, in terms of empowering people?. Or, in terms of investments?. Or, in terms of opinion moulding?. Or, in terms of attracting investments?. Or, in terms of attracting appointments for others?. Most influential how?. You do not put something on nothing. There must be basis for any action. You don’t act in a vacuum. It does not make sense.
For the avoidance of doubt, let’s also agree or admit in principle or on the face value that, lmo has six hundred and forty most influential politicians, with each of the local governments equally having twenty. Let’s concur with those behind the list for the sake of what l am about to do here. Or, about to say now.
Like I had written earlier, the time for these most influential politicians in lmo to influence things is now. The time has come. We have begun to take stocks. We have begun to take note. Our consciousness has been awoken, to begin to take records.
Those who compiled the list could equally be adjudged wicked. In their trip, they listed men and women waiting patiently for appointments as among the most influential politicians in lmo. Those waiting with their two eyes steadily open for others to influence or attract appointments for them, either here or in Abuja. Again, l do not understand.
There are six hundred and forty most influential politicians in lmo and the State is like this?. This is serious. These most influential politicians in lmo should rise to the occasion now so that we can agree even to a very large extent that, of a truth, they are the most influential politicians in lmo . The hour or the time is now for those who are the most influential politicians in the State to begin to attract things for the State and their people, including appointments and projects. Most of those who influence voters in the polling units are in the rural areas. They were not listed. Some of these most influential politicians beg such people to assist them win in their respective booths.
President Bola Tinubu has been giving out appointments. And lmo seems to be lagging behind, when looking at the other States. This should not be the case with a state ” blessed” with 640 most influential politicians. Things are happening in key federal government’s establishments and our most influential politicians should move in and make things to happen.
Some of the most influential politicians have been waiting for Gov. Hope Uzodimma’s appointments?. Some of them have already gotten. The most influential politicians should go for the big things out there and leave Uzodimma’s appointments for the less influential politicians. Do you understand?. Most influential politicians yadiwa. Yadiwa my brother, my sister.
In the appointment of more than six hundred people as Chairmen and members of the Governing Councils of tertiary lnstitutions in the Country, released recently lmo had only two Chairmen, Greg Mbadiwe and Acho lhim. And nine members. A State believed or adjudged to have six hundred and forty most influential politicians. I am yet to understand .
These most influential politicians in lmo should move in. And begin to influence things for their people. Attract things for their people. Otherwise, the conclusion would be that, those who listed them as most influential politicians in lmo, were only out to mock most of them.
In case they do not know, the stocks have begun to be taken. And at the end of the day, people may be taken from the list of the most influential politicians in lmo to the list of the “most less influential politicians” in lmo. And those who were not included in the list of most influential politicians, might be enlisted as the most influential, depending on their outputs.
While we shall continue to clap for Jesus.
