By Nik Ogbulie (back from Owerri)
I wish the kind of comfort and freedom that enveloped the entire South East, especially the alleged rancorous local governments in Imo State remains as good as I experienced in the last about two weeks. My experience within the Xmas period in Owerri, after driving across the state made me to believe that the so called gunmen are many of us who really have intentions that are not just driven by unemployment, hunger or extremism . They are simply agents of politicians . Even the most dangerous zones in the state were calm and heavy with activities. I attended over 20 weddings and funeral right where very rich people could be found but the was calm in the day and even when they stretched into deep night.
So what really happened? I am aware that there was no deployment of heavy security presence anywhere because my trip from Onitsha, Nnewi, igboukw, Akokwa, Urualla and my town , Isiekenesi was so smooth. It was even better when I was coming back today. Everybody was worried that the development wasn’t anything so fearful, instigating several questions; one of which is whether politicians are purposely doing that to make the citizens afraid so that they do not raise their voices in the face of the usually poor leadership that is obvious.
There were signs of strong project development in Delta, Anambra but none in Imo as people have been seriously scared. Even at this, very strong Imo citizens were home, apparently to test the nature of security struggle in the state.
I spoke with a lot of Imonites who really do not understand the reason for the departure even as many people allegedly kidnapped several months ago are still under key. People are no more talking in soft tones about the very positive development but are feeling that the new quarter will be able to explain what is happening and could happen.
I also understand that the people living abroad and other cities like Lagos, Abuja, ,PortHarcourt and other places like South Africa are bombarding the online network with very fearful messages and picture. No one really understands their motives and mission.
What some of us who purposely visited home to access the level of the problem did was to send messages to areas where there are stories and pictures of problems and were usually told that such stories were false. Some one came to our house to tell as that over 50 people were killed at Abatete, Abakaliki, Umuanhia and Orodo near Owerri, but our contacts from those cities dispelled the rumour as they went round town and did not find anything, rather they easy going young men and ladies have the usual Xmas fun.
We event went into our archives to find out that most of those scaring pictures are coming from the Rwandan holocaust, Sudan, Boko Haram enclaves or some of the accidents and real life community issues.
Of cause, there are kidnapping and security issues that could be found across the country but I can now tell you that the situations in Anambra and Imo are overbloated
The fact is that our security system is very poor, falsified, compromised and has been quite difficult to trust. This also compromises the capacity of the governors to live up to their billings.
The Governors in the South East will be held seriously responsible if after thi Xmas the rubbish returns
Home was sweet and offered some of us who grew there the real feeling of pride. It is not about the fabled money-making possibilities in Lagos, Abuja or PortHarcour. Intact I saw the possibility of more sustainable wealth anywhere in my Ideato South.
If this stability persist, we will be home soon, very soon!!
