The only strong point a few people have advanced against the presumptive gubernatorial ambition of Ugwumba Uche Nwosu is that it will amount to dynastic succession or what some of them call; “my family, my family” succession plan of Owelle Rochas Okorocha. I have hardly heard anyone fault the leadership and temperamental qualifications of the Imo Chief of Staff. Everybody agrees or at least seem to agree that Uche Nwosu is not just eminently qualified for the position of governor but is also a very good man with a good heart.
While there is nothing legally or even morally wrong with dynastic successions, especially when they do not subjugate the interest of the people, it is important to educate us here that if the definition of a political dynasty as “the transfer of power from father to son or other members of the same family, for a long period of time”, is to be applied, then, there is absolutely nothing dynastic about an Owelle Rochas Okorocha transfer of power to an Uche Nwosu. In Igboland, an in-law is not seen as a direct member of a family. Being a son-in-law to someone does not give you the same rights as a son to that person.
Someone is not supposed to be denied his or her Constitutional rights and privileges because of his or her romantic or marriage relationship. What connects UGWUMBA Uche Nwosu with the Owelle Rochas Okorocha family is a romantic relationship between two adults that have been consummated through marriage rites. Uche Nwosu can marry any of Okorocha’s daughters or nieces without been accused of incest, further confirming that Uche Nwosu is not biologically related to the Okorochas, hence does not qualify as a member of the biological family of Owelle Rochas Okorocha. Uche Nwosu’s children qualify as members of the Okorocha family as they share strong biological links with the Okorochas through their mother.
As an Nkwere son married to an Ideato daughter, Uche Nwosu will not be deprived of his right to take a shot at the governorship because of whom he married. His chances at the governorship race will be brightened or blurred as a result of who he is, what he does and how he goes about his life. We all pray for a wife that will help our ambitions, not a wife that will hamper our goals in life. Mrs Uche Nwosu is a virtuous woman who helps her husband attain his noble goals in life.
Should Governor Rochas Okorocha decide to support Uche Nwosu’s credible candidature for governorship, it will be a decision that is within his rights as a politician and a leader. Should Uche Nwosu’s candidature garner as much support from the electorate as could make him governor, then, it is Imo people rather than Governor Okorocha that has made Uche Nwosu governor. While Uche Nwosu’s governorship will definitely mean the continuity and improvement of the Rescue Mission leadership ideals, it will certainly not mean a continuation of Okorocha’s biological family in power.
Imolites are more interested in having a governor after Governor Okorocha who will continue the good policies of the present administration and even improve on them in areas that require improvement. There is an almost unanimous confirmation that Ugwumba Uche Nwosu fits into this bill more than many people. Even though he has not declared his intention to vie for the top job, a majority of Imolites seem poised to give him their mandate as soon as he throws his hat into the ring.
IMO MUST MOVE FORWARD!