Okorocha’s promise to hand over power to youths elicits mixed reaction
The recent pronouncement by the governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, of his readiness to hand over power to the youths has attracted reactions form cross sections of Nigerians who have expressed doubt on the credibility of 2019 elections.
Okorocha had said in his Independence Day broadcast Saturday in Owerri, to mark Nigeria’s 56 independence anniversary called on young Nigerians not to imitate the bad side of their leaders just as he said, he will handover leadership to the younger generation
“We will soon hand over the nation to you, where we have failed as your parents, you cannot afford to fail, you must all work hard to build the Nigeria of our collective dreams and aspirations. You must stand firm and never repeat the mistakes of your past leaders. Nigeria is on the path of greatness.” Okorocha said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Bongo Adi, senior lecturer in Development Economics, at the Lagos Business School, Pan Atlantic University in a reaction on his Facebook page analyzed the statement of the Imo state governor and concluded that it is only elections that guarantees who takes over power from the incumbent and not the incumbent deciding on who to hand over power to.
Adi had said “Can someone remind Rochas that it is the electorate that decide who governs them and not him? Except he is revealing his intention to interfere with the electoral process when the time comes”
Political scientist Ugochi Assumpta in his reaction said that going by the governor’s pronouncement, it appeared that he next election has been concluded in Imo state, adding that people of the state will have the final say on the day of the election. “The next election has been conducted by Rochas already. But let’s see if Imolites will say yes to that” Ugoch said,
Azukaeme Kenneth a public affairs commentator in his reaction said that the governor’s statement reeks of suspicion as no single person democratically has the legal power to determine who emerges as governor of a state.
“His statement really look suspicious. Though I like younger leaders but let the mandate come from the masses.
Also, Ikenna Osmond Odu an Economist said that may be the governor has concluded plans on who to hand over power to “He has plans…maybe his son in law”
Chukwu Dim, industrial physicist said that the governor’s statement could be a confession of how winners emerge in Nigerian elections. “Well, I don’t blame him for such confession after all winners from our electoral processes are not the true reflection of the electorates wish”.
