By Nnamdi Umunnabuike
Ndi Imo,
It is that time again when we have that golden opportunity to be part of the making of the history of Imo state. Elections give us an opportunity to determine the course of our future. The process of electing the next Governor of Imo State starts with the primaries of political parties. By 17th of April, we would have known who the top 4 candidates in the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in November 2023 would be.
The times also presents an opportunity for Imo people to influence the choice of the parties in electing who would be their candidates.
Labour Party provides a viable alternative to the present APC-led government of Imo State. The political season which has seen an unusually high interest and involvement of Nigerian youths will herald a dispensation where the people will demand transparent and accountable leadership. More will be demanded of the government, chiefly due to the disruption of the Nigerian governance system by Peter Obi.
Imo state, heartland of the Eastern Nigeria can be better than what it is today. Our economy can improve more than we have it currently. Our rural communities can work again and become hubs of economic activities. Our potential of being the destination point for tourism in South East Nigeria can be activated. Our privileged geographical location can easily serve the market systems that exist in Aba in Abia State, Onitsha in Anambra State, Enugu and Ebonyi. Our airport can be truly a cargo airport. The abundance palm trees of Ohaji-Egbema and Ngor Okpala can be scaled up for optimal benefits. As a high educated society, Imo State can truly live up to its potentials as knowledge and intellectual capital in Nigeria. The energy of the avalanche of youths that dot the tertiary institutions in Imo can be harnessed and transformed for huge impacts in technology, arts , sports, entertainment & showbiz, fashion, transportation & logistics, agriculture etc.
The next Governor of Imo State shall fulfill the minimum requirements and a yardsticks for quality leadership in national and subnational governments in Nigeria- Character, Competence and Capacity.
The character of the person that should be Governor of Imo State should inspire good conduct and behaviour amongst the Imo citizenry. His or her historical background should engender trust and believability in the protection and promotion of the interests and aspirations of Imo state and her people.
The competence level of the next Governor of Imo State should meet the basic requirements of transformational leadership. The person must show evidence of public and private sector experience . They must be able to proof that they can conceptualize problems of Imo State and provide solutions that are sustainable.
Their previous work experiences should be clear and unambiguous.
The capacity of the next Governor of Imo state should reflect in the sound education that the person possesses and a proven aptitude of intelligence and knowledge management required in this ever-dynamic world.
Imo State deserves these qualities in the person who will lead them. Settling for less is never an option because our neighbors, Abia have liberated themselves into a new reality.
We are very hopeful that we shall find a compassionate and kind Governor who we can trust to restore the dignity of the Imo people and defend their interests at all times.
A glance at the aspirants of Labour Party shows an array of eminent personalities that are vying for the plum position of Governor in Imo State. From entrepreneurship leaders to erudite scholars to astute administrators, to security specialists, the contestants for Labour Party primaries presents very sound resumes and most of them are better substitute to the current government in Imo state.
Amongst all the constellation of stars that LP parades as gubernatorial aspirants, one name stands tall and shoulders high above others, and that is Dr Sam Amadi.
Dr Sam Amadi remains the topmost aspirant that embodies the three C’s of Character Competence and Capacity to govern Imo State.
On capacity, Sam Amadi is a Harvard-trained scholar, lawyer and public administrator (LLM, MPA, SJD (Harvard)) who held prestigious fellowships on human rights policy, public administration and law, and was at different times teacher, researcher and consultant at Harvard University. A human right lawyer, Pro-democracy activist and social justice fighter trained by Chief Gani Fawehinmi and Olisa Agbakoba who successfully represented many prodemocracy activists including Ken Saro-Wiwa, Beko Ransome-Kuti, Tai Solarin, delivered hundreds from prison through prison litigation and challenged the declaration of Sharia by Zamfara state at the High Court of Zamfara in 2000.
His Character is evident in the various positions he has held in public office. As Chairman of Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission , NERC under him was adjudged by the House Reps as leading the most transparent and accountable public institution in Nigeria in 2014, adjudged by Private Public Development Center as the best in integrity in Public procurement in Nigeria in 2013. As CEO of NERC, Dr Sam Amadi refused the fly first class throughout his tenure in office. By the act he saved the commission, 27 million naira every month for five years. He established a requirement of disclosing any corporate gift whose value is more than N25,000. Today, at NERC, there is a register of gifts. Through the savings from refusing to fly first class and other fiscal prudence he instituted as CEO of NERC, he set-up a mortgage for staff. Today all staff of NERC have their own houses, even to the least staff who is a cleaner.
COMPETENCE & EXPERIENCE.
Dr Sam Amadi has been active in the public service for the past 17 years as Special Advisor to the Senate President ( 2005 to 2007), Special Assistant to the President (Foreign Affairs), Consultant to US and UK governments. Member, Presidential Committee on Rebranding Nigeria (2008). Member Presidential Commitee on Niger Delta. Secretary Niger Delta conference (2009), Member, Presidential Committee on Public service reforms (2010), Chaiman/CEO Nigeria Electricity regulatory Commission (2010 – 2015). Member, Technical Study group on the economy, (2016) Chairman Senate Technical Committee on Transportation (Water , Land & Sea) 2017, Associate Professor, Baze University, Associate Professor, Ave Maria University, Visiting Lecturer, University of Nigeria Nsukka. Visiting Lecturer, Emerald Energy Institute, University of Port Harcourt, Director Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, Director, Centre for Public Policy and Research, Senior Analyst, Arise TV.
Imo State now has an opportunity to experience transformational leadership through Dr Sam Amadi, We hope Labour Party provides that golden opportunity.
