Folarin Kehinde

By Oruruo Samuel Okechukwu

Imo State’s transformation under Governor Hope Uzodimma has been nothing short of remarkable. From a state weighed down by insecurity and fiscal distress, it has become a story of renewal and direction.

The recent working visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu further affirmed this progress and drew national attention to Imo’s new standing.

Concerns still exist about inclusiveness and whether all communities feel the impact of growth. These concerns, though sometimes overstated, are healthy reminders that development must be sustained, trusted, and evenly distributed.

Under Uzodimma, fiscal stability has taken root. State records show that public debt dropped from ₦259 billion to ₦99 billion, while internally generated revenue rose from about ₦400 million to nearly ₦4 billion.

This fiscal discipline has powered a wave of infrastructure renewal across the state. More than twenty major road projects now link Owerri, Orlu, Okigwe, and the coastal communities. The governor’s “Shared Prosperity” agenda has redefined Imo’s potential. His recognition as both Digital Governor of the Year and Infrastructure Governor of the Year by The Whistler Newspaper in 2025 was no surprise to those following the state’s trajectory.

President Tinubu’s visit to Imo gave these achievements further validation. He commissioned the Assumpta Twin Flyover, the Owerri – Mbaise – Umuahia Federal Road, and the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Conference Centre.

He commended Uzodimma’s commitment to governance and urged Imolites to remain hopeful, stating that their sacrifices were beginning to produce results.

The visit symbolised continuity between state and federal efforts. It also reminded Imolites that progress must be consolidated through capable succession. As Uzodimma’s administration advances, the question grows louder: who can sustain the momentum?

That answer may well lie in Dr Ikedi Ohakim. A former governor with proven experience and a reformist mindset, Ohakim embodies continuity built on institutional memory and tested vision.

The parallels between both men are significant. Uzodimma established the Imo Roads and Bridges Agency, while Ohakim had earlier created the Imo Road Maintenance Agency (IROMA), which generated more than 30,000 jobs and transformed local road maintenance.

Whereas Uzodimma opened the state to investors, Ohakim had set up the Imo State Investment Promotion Agency to lay the groundwork for sustained private sector participation. Their efforts, though years apart, share the same philosophy of structured development.

Ohakim’s financial innovation remains a major reference point. In July 2009, Vanguard Newspaper reported that his administration launched a ₦40 billion infrastructural bond programme, with ₦18.5 billion successfully accessed in the first phase.

The bond funded key projects including the Oguta Wonder Lake Resort, rural water schemes, and road rehabilitation across the state. It was one of Nigeria’s earliest state-level development bonds and reflected financial foresight that remains relevant today.

Job creation was another hallmark. Beyond IROMA’s employment of thousands, Ohakim introduced the 10,000 Graduate Employment Initiative in 2008. Vanguard reported in November 2010 that 10,000 graduates were recruited into the state’s teaching and civil services, while a June 2011 follow-up article detailed how the scheme aimed to absorb young professionals into public service and education.

It was a structured, merit-based intervention that addressed unemployment more systematically than the ad hoc models common at the time.

Environmental renewal became his signature achievement. The Clean and Green Initiative, launched in August 2007 and reported by ModernGhana in May 2009, was implemented through the Environmental Transformation Committee (ENTRACO). It introduced modern waste management systems, tree planting, public sanitation drives, and beautification across Owerri.

By 2010, The Nation and Daily Independent reported that Owerri had been named Nigeria’s cleanest state capital for three consecutive years. The initiative restored civic pride and transformed the state’s image at home and abroad.

Ohakim also invested in long-term human capital projects. The Greater Okigwe Water Scheme, inaugurated by President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2009, solved a long-standing regional challenge.

His establishment of the College of Education at Ihitte/Uboma and the expansion of the Imo State Polytechnic, now part of Imo State University, created pathways for teacher training and technical education.

These legacies continue to serve the state today.

Critics often point to shortcomings in communication during his first tenure, but what distinguishes Ohakim is his response after leaving office. Rather than retreat, he pursued further studies both at home and abroad to refine his understanding of governance.

That humility and commitment to self-improvement shaped a more grounded leader. Few Nigerian politicians have shown a similar readiness to evolve.

Political balance also weighs heavily in Imo’s calculations.

Uzodimma hails from Orlu Zone, which has produced most of the state’s governors since 1999 and has enjoyed more than twenty years in power. Okigwe Zone, from which Ohakim comes, has only completed a single four-year term instead of the eight years typically expected of each zone before power rotates.

This historical imbalance remains a key concern in the quest for justice and equity within the state’s political structure.

The Charter of Equity now points naturally toward Owerri Zone for the next cycle, but Ohakim’s re-emergence offers a unique bridge, a chance to complete Okigwe’s remaining four years while preparing a smooth and fair transition to Owerri thereafter. His inclusive leadership style, often praised by Ohanaeze Ndigbo, embodies the bridge-building spirit and sense of fairness that have long defined effective governance in Imo State.

The business community recognises his continuing relevance. His private sector experience and record in attracting investment align with current opportunities such as the Free Trade Zone, Oguta Lake dredging, and new power generation projects.

These initiatives need continuity, not disruption. Youth employment remains a national issue, and Imo is no exception. Ohakim’s 10,000 Youth Employment Initiative remains a model for structured job creation, contrasting sharply with random empowerment programmes. Its blend of public service absorption and skill development fits neatly with the new digital economy that Imo is building.

Continuity also matters in healthcare, infrastructure, and environmental management. Uzodimma’s health insurance scheme and ongoing security improvements require consolidation, not interruption. Projects like Oguta Lake and digital governance platforms demand experienced leadership with both technical understanding and historical context.

In all these, Ohakim’s blend of innovation and maturity offers the right balance.Transitions in democracy often determine whether progress endures or unravels. Imo now faces such a turning point. Uzodimma’s achievements have changed the state’s image, but their sustainability depends on who takes the baton. Ohakim represents continuity with correction, experience with humility, and vision with discipline.

This is not a contest of personalities but of purpose. The question before Imo’s people is how to protect and deepen the progress of recent years. Ohakim’s leadership style, grounded in inclusiveness and reform, provides that steady path forward.

Feedback from recent community reports shows that Imolites value stability, employment, and practical governance over political adventure.

The conversation has moved from partisanship to stewardship: who will secure Imo’s gains and widen their reach? Uzodimma’s legacy has reset Imo’s direction, though debates on inclusiveness and governance style continue. What Imo needs now is not disruption but stability. With renewed perspective, experience, and a record of reform, Ikedi Ohakim stands ready to lead that next phase.

Continuity with correction, experience with humility, and progress with prudence. That is the balance Imo State needs to ensure that the miracle of today becomes the foundation of tomorrow.