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Ikedi Ohakim: A legacy of ambition and unfinished dreams
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Ohakim
On a humid morning in May 2007, Ikedi Ohakim stood before the people of Imo State, his hand raised in solemn oath as he became their governor. Born in the quiet town of Okohia in Isiala Mbano fifty years earlier, Ohakim had journeyed from business administration classrooms at the University of Lagos to the highest office at the Douglas House, Owerri. With his tailored suits and entrepreneurial mindset, he cut the figure of a corporate executive rather than a traditional politician—and that was precisely his appeal.
“I bring not just political promises, but a businessman’s blueprint,” he declared in his inaugural address, setting the tone for what would become a whirlwind four-year journey that still divides opinion in Imo nearly two decades later.
Stepping into power under the little-known Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) before making a calculated return to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2009, Ohakim’s political path was as unconventional as his governance style.
Armed with his master’s degree in management and years of private sector experience, he approached Imo’s challenges with boardroom boldness, envisioning transformations that would echo long after his tenure ended in 2011.
*The Visionary’s Drawing Board*
To understand Ohakim’s legacy is to understand the audacity of his dreams. Poring over maps late into the night in Government House, he sketched his masterpiece: the 150-kilometre Imo Free Way.
This wasn’t just another infrastructure project—it was his vision to transform Imo into what he called a “one-city state,” where distance would no longer dictate opportunity.
“Imagine driving from Oguta to Okapala in under an hour,” he explained to skeptical commissioners, tracing his finger across 15 local government areas on the map. “The farmer in the morning can be the businessman by afternoon.”
The Free Way project embodied Ohakim’s governance philosophy—ambitious, forward-thinking, and unapologetically modern. In Owerri, the state capital, his Inner Ring Road plan featured five futuristic flyovers that would redefine urban movement. By the time he left office, two had broken ground, concrete foundations of dreams that would never fully materialise.
Years later, taxi drivers still point to these unfinished structures as they navigate Owerri’s congested streets. “That was going to be Ohakim’s flyover,” they say, a wistful tone creeping into their voices. “Things would be different now if he had finished.”
*Wonder Lake: The Tourism Jewel That Never Sparkled*
If the Free Way was Ohakim’s practical vision, the Oguta Wonder Lake project was his moonshot—a breathtaking tourism and conference center designed to rival destinations across West Africa. The architectural renderings were spectacular: luxury accommodations nestled against the natural beauty of Oguta Lake, conference facilities buzzing with international delegates, and over 2,000 locals employed in various capacities.
“Why should Nigerians travel abroad for world-class leisure when we can build it right here?” Ohakim challenged his cabinet. The project secured substantial funding through his pioneering N18.5 billion bond issue—the first of its kind by a Nigerian state government.
Visiting the site today reveals only weathered signboards and overgrown foundations. The Wonder Lake remains just that—a wonder of what might have been. When Governor Hope Uzodimma announced the Urashi River Dredging and Free Trade Zone in 2023, Ohakim couldn’t help but note the parallels to his abandoned vision. “We were simply ahead of our time,” he remarked during a rare interview. “The blueprint was there all along.”
*The People’s Governor: Jobs and Security*
While infrastructure dominated headlines, it was Ohakim’s employment initiatives that won the hearts of ordinary Imolites. The Imo Road Maintenance Agency (IROMA) wasn’t just about fixing potholes—it provided livelihoods for 30,000 families. His graduate employment scheme brought hope to 10,000 young graduates in a state struggling with youth unemployment.
Maria Onyeka, now a school principal in Owerri, still credits Ohakim for her start. “I was among the 10,000 graduates he employed in 2008,” she recalls. “That opportunity changed my life when I had lost hope after three years without work.”
When his successor dismantled these programs, Ohakim didn’t frame it as a political attack. “It wasn’t me they hurt,” he said during a community forum in 2012. “It was the 40,000 Imo families who suddenly found themselves without income.”
Security challenges tested Ohakim’s resolve, particularly a kidnapping wave that threatened the state’s peace. His approach revealed both his pragmatism and his occasional reluctance to embrace harsh measures. When the state legislature passed a law making kidnapping punishable by death, Ohakim initially hesitated to sign it.
“I worry about the sanctity of life,” he confided to his attorney general. But facing mounting pressure, he eventually yielded to the legislature’s two-thirds majority. His alternative strategy proved more effective—empowering traditional rulers and vigilance groups with resources and authority. At a memorable Christmas party in 2009, he surprised the state’s monarchs with a 13% salary increase, cementing their loyalty in the fight against crime.
*Financial Innovation: The Bond Pioneer*
Perhaps Ohakim’s most under-appreciated achievement was his financial ingenuity. When federal allocations proved insufficient for his ambitious plans, he turned to capital markets instead of scaling back his vision.
The N18.5 billion seven-year fixed-rate bond he secured in June 2009 demonstrated sophisticated financial thinking rare in Nigerian state governance at the time. The meticulous allocation—7% for water supply rehabilitation, 20% for road repairs and construction, and 68% for the Wonder Lake project—reflected careful prioritisation rather than haphazard spending.
“We cannot build a 21st-century state with 20th-century financing,” Ohakim explained during the bond signing ceremony. The move raised eyebrows among conservative political operators but earned admiration from financial analysts who recognised its innovation.
*The Global Governor*
One April morning in 2009, while many Nigerian governors were occupied with local politics, Ohakim and a select delegation boarded a flight to Taiwan. The purpose wasn’t ceremonial—it was educational. Taiwan’s remarkable transformation from resource-poor island to economic powerhouse fascinated him.
“If they could achieve so much with so little, imagine what we can do with our abundant resources,” he told his commissioners upon return. The trip exemplified Ohakim’s global outlook, as did his trilogy of books published during his tenure: Pushing the Limits, The Courage to Challenge, and Challenging New Frontiers.
Unlike typical political memoirs, these works articulated a coherent development philosophy that transcended party lines. “These aren’t just books—they’re blueprints,” noted a political science professor at Imo State University. “Few Nigerian politicians have documented their vision so thoroughly.”
Ohakim’s ambitious journey hit turbulence well before its conclusion. His political party-switching, from PDP to PPA and back to PDP, raised questions about his consistency. The 2011 election, which saw him lose to Rochas Okorocha despite his claims of victory, left deep wounds that never fully healed.
Controversy followed him beyond office. In 2015, EFCC officials arrived at his residence, leading to allegations of financial impropriety that, though never resulting in conviction, cast shadows over his legacy. A 2020 dispute with businesswoman Chinyere Amuchienwa over luxury items became tabloid fodder, further complicating his public image.
Yet perhaps the most dramatic chapter came in January 2023, when gunmen attacked his convoy, killing four policemen. Ohakim and his children narrowly escaped, a grim reminder of the security challenges still plaguing the state he once governed.
*Enduring Appeal of Unfinished Business*
Despite these setbacks, Ohakim enjoys a curious afterlife in Imo politics. Social media posts often romanticise his tenure as a golden age cut short. “The only former governor who can walk Owerri’s streets and get applause,” noted a 2023 article assessing his enduring popularity.
His recent public appearances, including community tours and speeches advocating governance continuity, have fuelled speculation about a potential 2027 comeback.
Supporters speak of a “political remontada”—the Spanish football term for an improbable comeback—while critics question whether his time has passed.
What explains this enduring appeal? Perhaps it’s the power of unfinished business. Ohakim’s greatest projects remain frozen in potential rather than tarnished by completion.
The Wonder Lake never had the chance to disappoint tourists; the Free Way never had the opportunity to exceed its budget. In their incompletion, they remain perfect in possibility.
*Vision Without Continuity*
In a thoughtful address at the Church of Nigeria Synod in 2024, Ohakim offered what might be the most insightful analysis of his own legacy: “Development without continuity is like building on sand,” he told the gathered clergy and dignitaries. “Each administration must see itself as a chapter in a book, not the entire story.”
Ohakim’s governorship indeed reads like an intriguing chapter abruptly cut short—full of bold ideas, financial creativity, and genuine concern for employment and security, yet ultimately incomplete.
His infrastructure dreams remain phantom landmarks on Imo’s landscape. His employment programs exist only in the memories of those they once supported.
As the political winds shift once again in Imo State, Ohakim’s legacy stands as both inspiration and cautionary tale—a reminder that in governance, vision must be matched with sustainability, and dreams require not just conception but completion.
Whether he will get a second chance to finish what he started remains one of the most intriguing questions in Imo’s political future.
Written by Oruruo Samuel Okechukwu
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VIRAL VIDEO: Moment Yahaya Bello Orders Kogi State House Members to Sit on Floor, Gives Strict Directives
A viral video circulating on social media has captured former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello making newly elected State House of Assembly member, Hassan Shado, and his supporters sit on the floor during a meeting in Abuja.
The meeting took place at Bello’s residence on Monday, where he received members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to discuss party unity and responsibilities.
Shado, who won the Dekina-Okura II State Constituency by-election on August 16, was formally presented to the former governor.
INEC declared Shado the winner after he polled 55,073 votes, defeating Godwin Meliga of the PDP, who garnered 1,038 votes.
During the session, Bello emphasized that Shado must strictly obey the directives of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo in all legislative matters.
He drew his ear to stress the importance of cooperation, warning the lawmaker to align with Assembly decisions even when he did not fully understand them.
Bello said, “Go and cooperate with the Speaker and other members of the House of Assembly. Support Governor Ododo in everything that comes to the Assembly, even if you don’t understand it.”
Bello also reminded Shado that political victories are collective achievements.
He stated, “No candidate wins an election alone. Your people worked tirelessly from nomination to election day. Do not let them down.”
He urged inclusivity, consultation, and collective leadership, emphasizing that unity remains the key to APC’s continued success in Kogi State.
The former governor praised the people of Kogi East for demonstrating unity, which he said had been lacking in the past.
He further expressed confidence that APC would retain all major political positions in upcoming elections, declaring, “Our President, Bola Tinubu, will be re-elected.
Governor Ododo will be re-elected. All our candidates will continue to win on our great party’s platform.”
Bello’s post-governorship period has been marked by controversy.
The EFCC accused him of diverting over N110 billion from Kogi State coffers during his tenure.
He evaded multiple court summons and even a failed arrest in Abuja that led to a shootout. Ultimately, Bello surrendered to the EFCC on November 26, 2024, after months of avoiding legal proceedings.
Despite his legal troubles, Bello maintains influence over APC lawmakers in Kogi and continues to assert political authority, as shown in the recent video with Shado.
Watch the video below.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has urged all Nigerians to acquire combat skills such as Karate, Taekwondo, and Judo to protect themselves in the face of increasing danger.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Thursday, August 21, General Musa likened learning martial arts to other essential survival skills, including driving and swimming.
“That one should be taken as learning driving, learning how to swim.
Whether we have war or not, it is a survival instinct,” he said.
He added that in Europe, swimming and basic security education are compulsory because citizens must understand and practice personal safety.
The defence chief emphasised that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) should incorporate unarmed combat training into its programme to prepare graduates for real-world threats.
He explained, “That’s what the NYSC is supposed to do, but the NYSC has been watered down to three weeks. Self-defence is very important.
Unarmed combat, swimming, driving these are critical aspects of human survival. We should never take them for granted because they prepare us for the future.”
General Musa further encouraged Nigerians to remain situationally aware of their environment, alerting authorities to any suspicious activities or individuals.
He said, “The world we are in now is dangerous. We have individuals who don’t mean people well. They kill for whatever reason.”
Highlighting evolving threats, General Musa disclosed that terrorists increasingly use gold to finance their operations.
He noted that complex international networks make it difficult to immediately expose or prosecute these financiers. “Gold is the main source.
They circulate it through various channels, including foreign links, which complicates intervention,” he explained.
General Musa acknowledged that bad roads and challenging terrains hinder rapid military response to attacks.
He said, “Many Nigerians expect immediate intervention from the Armed Forces without understanding the logistical challenges. By the time information reaches us, terrorists have already struck and vanished because they move more quickly in these regions.”
He added that improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the North-East further slow troop movement.
Regarding the Southeast, General Musa noted that the arrest of pro-Biafran agitator Simon Ekpa in Finland in November 2024 has improved security in the region.
He said, “Troops are actively pursuing Ekpa’s lieutenants in Imo, Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, and Abia states. We will continue operations until all threats are neutralised.”
The CDS also praised the synergy among the Nigerian Army, Air Force, and Navy, which led to the arrest of Ansaru terrorist leaders, describing it as a major success in the fight against terrorism.
General Musa concluded by announcing an African Chiefs of Defence Staff conference to foster continental collaboration and enhance regional security efforts.
Detectives from the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested a man posing as a medical doctor following the death of a 35-year-old woman, Blessing Sunday Etim, during an alleged illegal abortion.
The suspect, identified as Sunday Okon Akpan, reportedly owns and operates the Full Life Medical Centre (FLMC) in Ikot Obio Odongo, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Timfon John, the spokesperson for the Akwa Ibom Police Command, revealed that police launched a search for the victim after receiving a distress call from her mother.
DSP John stated that operatives acted quickly following the report, which indicated that Blessing had gone to work at the FLMC and never returned.
According to police reports, the suspect attempted to secretly dispose of the victim’s body in her room.
A co-tenant, who witnessed the act, raised an alarm, forcing the suspect to abandon the corpse and flee the scene.
Police quickly arrived at the scene, where detectives discovered a premature foetus, confirming the occurrence of an illegal abortion.
Police traced and arrested Sunday Okon Akpan, a resident of Afaha Offiong village, Nsit Ibom LGA.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect is not a licensed medical doctor or nurse but a community health practitioner who allegedly used his clinic to perform illegal medical procedures, including abortions.
The health centre has since been found abandoned.
DSP John confirmed that the victim’s body has been deposited at a morgue for preservation and autopsy, while investigations continue to uncover more details surrounding the incident.
She also promised to update the public as the probe progresses.
This shocking incident highlights the dangers of unlicensed medical practitioners operating clinics and offering illegal procedures.
Police authorities are warning residents to verify the credentials of anyone offering medical services and to report suspicious activities to prevent similar tragedies.
As the investigation unfolds, Akwa Ibom police have vowed to ensure that justice is served, and the public remains safe from unqualified medical practitioners operating in the state.
The Trump administration has announced a sweeping review of more than 55 million foreigners holding US visas, aiming to identify potential violations that could trigger visa revocation or deportation.
In a statement to The Associated Press, the State Department confirmed that all visa holders are now subject to “continuous vetting.”
Officials will examine any indicators of ineligibility, including overstaying authorised periods, criminal activity, threats to public safety, engagement in terrorism, or support for terrorist organisations.
If authorities find evidence of such violations, they will revoke the visa, and individuals already in the US could face immediate deportation.
Officials stressed that the review targets both individuals residing in the United States and those holding multiple-entry visas abroad.
Since assuming office, President Donald Trump has prioritized strict immigration enforcement, targeting not only undocumented migrants but also holders of student and visitor exchange visas.
The current vetting process extends far beyond prior reviews, potentially affecting individuals who initially received approval to stay in the US.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, last year the US had 12.8 million green-card holders and 3.6 million people on temporary visas.
Immigration policy expert Julia Gelatt of the Migration Policy Institute noted that the 55 million figure likely includes individuals living abroad with tourist or business visas. She questioned whether allocating resources to review people unlikely to return justifies the scale of the initiative.
Alongside the review, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on X that the US will immediately halt work visas for commercial truck drivers, citing safety risks and threats to American jobs.
“The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on US roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers,” Rubio wrote.
The administration recently strengthened English proficiency requirements for foreign truckers following incidents where language barriers contributed to accidents. State Department officials confirmed they are pausing the processing of new work visas to reassess screening and vetting protocols.
“Ensuring that every driver meets the highest standards protects American workers and maintains a secure, resilient supply chain,” the department added.
Experts warn the broader implications of the review could ripple across the US economy. Edward Alden, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, explained that the administration’s policies aim to discourage companies, universities, and hospitals from employing foreign workers.
“The economic consequences will extend far beyond individual visas,” Alden said, emphasizing that employers risk compliance issues if they continue hiring foreign staff.
The review represents the most comprehensive enforcement action in recent US history and signals that the administration will aggressively monitor both legal and temporary visa holders to maintain national security and prioritize domestic employment.
The 2023 Labour Party (LP) vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has warned Nigerians that the opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is giving false hope about rescuing the country from underdevelopment.
“They are deceiving us,” Baba-Ahmed said during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday.
Baba-Ahmed, who ran alongside Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election won by Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) expressed his willingness to be Obi’s running mate in the 2027 presidential election.
Although Obi has shown interest in the 2027 race and is aligning with ADC coalition figures such as David Mark, Atiku Abubakar, Nasir el-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola, Baba-Ahmed stressed that he wants Obi to remain in the Labour Party and contest as its presidential candidate.
“I’m in the Labour Party. I’m a Peter Obi man. I still want Peter Obi to come back to the Labour Party and contest the 2027 election,” Baba-Ahmed stated.
When asked about his plans for the 2027 race, Baba-Ahmed confirmed his readiness to serve as a running mate for like-minded leaders committed to restoring Nigeria.
“If Nigeria is still around and there is an electoral system to follow, my love for Nigeria is undying.
I would appropriately associate with groups and individuals aligned with restoring the nation,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed also revealed two potential leaders he would consider deputising, with Peter Obi being his primary choice. “The first one has not said anything.
The second one is Peter Obi. I’m always with Peter Obi until he decides not to,” he added.
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