A general axiom has it that “to every emperor, there is an empire”. It is also a truism that the power of every leadership lies on the quality and quantity of its following. Most often, the success or failure of a leader is a function of the strength of the organization, which in turn depends on the quality of followers.
The Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha has indeed created a niche in leadership, both at local and national spheres of influence. To be very modest, he has been in the corridor of power for twenty five years, not as a mere jobber but as one of the most astute administrators in contemporary times. His sway in the National Assembly as majority leader and deputy speaker of the House of Representative, contributed immensely to the succuss story of NASS during his days. His avalanche of achievements as governor of the state, for just seven months, has been unprecedented in the annals of leadership in the country.
The Rebuild lmo Movement (RIM) is a political structure that was established by Emeka Ihedioha in 2012. The aim, like in Nehemiah, is to rebuild all that the cankerworm devoured from 2011, when His Excellency, Chief Ikedi Ohakim left office. RIM is a conglomeration of like minds that share in the principles of democracy and good governance. It is the melting pot of quality human resource in the state. The eminent personalities from all strata of human endeavour form the resource base of the movement and make it thick.
Behind every successful administration, there is always a sound management team. RIM parades a team of quality managers that share with Ihedioha the principle of participative leadership which leads to participatory democracy anchored in delivering democracy dividends to the people. The movement indeed is the power of strategy and Ihedioha’s source of strength. It provides priceless plethora of human resource that have contributed visibly in the area of strategy formation.
In the Igbo parlance, fire is the strength of earthen wares. The strength therefore of Ihedioha lies on the unity of purpose and the willingness of members to provide selflessly, for the service of the movement. There are several cases where members provide pro bono to technical services, in the spirit of the movement and of course, Ihedioha.
The question becomes, what are those qualities of Ihedioha that make him thick and propel people to stake in the Rebuild lmo Movement, even when it is not a political party or in government? Why are people gravitating to the movement in droves? One could say it is the capacity of the leadership but suffice it to say that most specifically, the secret lies on the integrity of the man, Ihedioha. His slogan, “My Word is my Bond”, remains sacrosanct and a guiding principle in his life. Ihedioha is unwavering, he is ever stable and unbending, quite unlike most of his contemporaries who are generally known for double deals, he is constant. No matter the stake, to Ihedioha, every consideration must be by due process. No wonder during his short sway in government house, he was nicknamed, Mr Due Process.
The more, the merrier. It is therefore only rational for doors of the movement to be let open to interested Imolites to give more support to the leadership. More membership of the movement will enhance more power of strategy for the leadership.
No matter the angle you look at it, RIM has proved Ihedioha’s capacity as a grassroots oriented politician whose strength is drawn from the people’s eagerness to identify and follow him.
For the moment, Ihedioha belongs to no political party yet, hundreds of thousands of Imolites flock to him. This is because they have seen in him the traits and qualities of a man of purpose and vision whose abiding focus is growth and development.
