EditorialTHEWILL Editorial: Okorocha: Son-in-Law’s Choice As Successor Unhealthy For Democracy

THEWILL Editorial: Okorocha: Son-in-Law’s Choice As Successor Unhealthy For Democracy

BEVERLY HILLS, April 16, (THEWILL) – Ahead of the 2019 general elections, the politics of self-succession and second term appears to have taken the centre stage for politicians.

From the federal to state levels, governance has been relegated to the background, as the President and governors jostle for continuity or installation of anointed successors.

However, the case of Imo State has created a challenge to the ideals of democracy, following Governor Rochas Okorocha’s adoption, imposition and insistence that his son-in-law, and Chief of Staff, Uche Nwosu must succeed him.

While we concede that Nwosu has the right under democratic norms to aspire to be governor, the inordinate manner that Okorocha is going about to ensure that Nwosu emerges the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Party, APC is worrisome.

THEWILL, as an advocate of good governance and staunch believer democratic principles, urges Okorocha to open up the race in his party for equal participation for interested aspirants, rather than using state funds and executive power to manipulate the emergence of his son-in-law as candidate.

THEWILL posits that government is about service to the people and must not be administered as a family empire. This is more apt as Okorocha had before now, appointed his younger sister, Mrs. Ogechi Ololo (nee Okorocha), as the Commissioner for Happiness and Purpose Fulfillment.

Okorocha has declared his intention to run for the Imo West senatorial seat in 2019 and boastfully said he would win. He has also boasted that he would win the 2023 presidential election saying that he opted out of the 2019 race because of President Buhari’s reelection bid.

THEWILL urges the people of Imo State to arise and unite against this megalomaniac by rejecting his bid to foist his son-in-law or anyone on them. Only a genuine, free and fair primary process that would allow the peoples’ choice to emerge as the APC’s candidate for the governorship election is good for Imo State and our democracy.

It is anti-democratic for the governor to intimidate stakeholders to adopt his son-in-law, in a style that would mean giving Okorocha a third term by proxy.

We equally caution that not following democratic principles in choosing the governorship candidate could distabilise the APC and affect its chance of winning the governorship poll in 2019.

We commend members of the party in the state that have rebelled against Okorocha and his dictatorial behavior by taking the matter to the national leadership of the party.

Okorocha must stand down and allow a free and fair primary where the party’s governorship candidate will be chosen.

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