While addressing Imo State stakeholders on Thursday 18th July 2019, the governor of the state, His Excellency, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha hinted his plan to engage street traders in a negotiation for a possible way of relocating them from the state capital municipality to a suitable place.
In my own candid opinion, this is a major high point of the meeting judging by the fact that the norm in our clime has no provision for negotiations between government and traders before relocation action is taken. It was very difficult for me to believe that the word “negotiate” was actually used by my governor until I had to confirm it. It seems to me a dream and my eyes are swimming in the sea of tears of joys as I write now.
According to an online dictionary, to negotiate is to obtain or bring about by discussion. Interfacing this definition with the context on ground, the governor means engaging street traders in a discussion so both parties can come to a consensus on how and where to relocate them so as not to inflict harm or damage on their concerns. This would give the traders sense of importance and a boost of self respect.
Truly, our governor understands his place in the scheme of affairs that as a leader, he is a servant to the people. The astute leader knows that the use of force on the people may pass for a misuse of the instrumentalities of power which is tantamount to abuse of power as we witnessed in the past 8 years.
What would then stop the people from complying with the demands of the government to relocate after such a rare and unusual honour is accorded them. O bu ire oma ka eju ji a ga n’ogwu (with skillful tongue, the snail goes through the torns). If you can refer to one of my articles in the recent past, I narrated how a shop owner somewhere at school road towards “ime ahia” told me that they voluntarily complied with the demand of the governor that they shouldn’t display their wares on or beyond the gutters. They did so according to the woman because of the governor’s friendly approach.
What matters most in governance and administration is result. Those who apply the right approach achieve the best results…. And no approach can be as effective as that of the sun as against that of the wind. The smile of the sun makes a man to take off his coat while the violence of the wind makes him hold it in place. Brute force is undemocratic and hence ineffective breeding recalcitrance. My governor knows that so well!
The culture of sanity runs in the PDP family. This accounts for the reason why traders at the timber market Naze adore Chief Ikedi Ohakim even till tomorrow. The resourceful and adroit former governor negotiated with them on the need for them to leave their former location at Wetheral road by Douglas for where he provided for them which they are still occupying till date. Thus fair hearing was given to them and the new location was put in order before they were peacefully relocated.
This is one of the areas I faulted the administration of the immediate former governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha. Forceful eviction was a stock in trade and so prevalent. For instance, If my former governor had adopted a peaceful approach by engaging traders at Ekeonunwa market in a negotiation instead of applying brute force and brigandage while relocating the market, we would not have lost the only son of his parents, Master Somto Chukwu. Goods worth hundreds of millions would not have been lost either.
Governance becomes interesting when elected leaders appreciate that they are simply servants carrying out mandates handed down to them by the people. They are not overlords to the people who elected them, bullying them at will. Such mentality and attitude is jaundiced and once one develops them, ones failure, disgrace and humiliation become sacrosanct. It shall not be the portion of our governor as he has placed such rascality and recklessness beneath his dignity. God will surely keep him in the right course in Jesus name Amen.
There is every cause to celebrate the emergence of Ihedioha. He has shown us beyond doubt that he places much value and premium on the people. The people should in turn reciprocate the gesture by complying with the demands of government which I believe will always be people oriented.
……..So there won’t be executive harassment to traders anymore? You mean brute force will is a thing of the past and brigandage has become alien? So Imo can once again boast of a governor who carries people along while being guided by the dictates of sound conscience? If yes, then we bid insensitivity and callousness goodbye while we welcome sanity to our polity!
Emma Nzenwa GOC (Engr)
