2023: Chief TJ Ehirim’s June 12 message to Imolites.
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Chief TJ Ehirim, a South African based technocrat, administrator, pro democracy campaigner and a man widely believed to be the next governor of Imo State, has on June 12 2020 addressed the people of the state from his South African base last week. This address was in connection with the commemoration of June 12. The Federal Government of Nigeria in the last one year, recognized June 12 as a Democracy Day and made it a public holiday.
The address which he titled, We Must Deepen Democracy, raised some vital questions and advocacies such as the call for increased women participation in politics and the conduct of local government elections to be held as at when due. He wondered why the local government elections should not be returned to their original form and dates when the elections were held in 1999 alongside other elections as provided by the constitution.
Chief Ehirim whose preparedness for the top Imo job has attracted the attention of Imo youths due to his youthful nature, condemned in outright terms, the political new normal in Nigeria today, especially in the South East, where governors appoint sole administrators, transition committee chairmen etc to man the affairs of the local councils. He described such moves as autocratic because such appointments do not reflect the wishes of the people.
The need to straighten the judiciary and promote the rights of the citizens was another aspect of the address, Chief Ehirim seriously emphasized on. “We must strengthen the Judiciary and ensure rights of citizens.” According to Chief Ehirim, the judiciary constitutes a vital component of democracy which must never be neglected.
On the role of the opposition, Ehirim stressed the need for what he described as “state sponsorship of official opposition” which will help to build the type of democracy that Nigerians deserve as a people. “Opposition parties must try to keep rolling parties on their toes and forestall the angers of One Party State and the autocracy that comes with it.”
Finally, Chief Ehirim used the opportunity to thank all Imolites and all his supporters.
