By Maazi Obinna Akuwudike
Governor Hope Uzodinma has, by most measurable standards, delivered notable achievements since assuming office.
He has undertaken road projects that previous administrations considered unattainable, cleared salary and pension backlogs, and resumed gratuity payments from the point where Dr. Ikedi Ohakim’s administration left off.
These accomplishments are tangible markers of governance that directly impact citizens’ lives. The improved road networks have enhanced connectivity across the state, while the clearing of arrears has provided relief to thousands of public servants and retirees.
In addition, Governor Uzodinma has sought to strengthen institutional frameworks through initiatives such as the Imo Rural and Municipal Authority (IROMA). The intention behind this effort—to professionalize and coordinate local development—is commendable. Yet, the agency is still evolving and appears, for now, more aspirational than fully operational, perhaps constrained by funding, staffing, or structural clarity. Effective institutionalization takes time, and the foundational work is ongoing.
However, while these achievements are significant, one area continues to challenge the administration profoundly: insecurity.
The consequences of persistent insecurity are both immediate and systemic. Lives have been lost, businesses disrupted, and communities left in perpetual fear.
Economic activities stall under the shadow of criminality, and public confidence in safety is eroded. Having witnessed firsthand the effects of insecurity in my community, I can attest to the psychological and material toll it imposes: military convoys become routine, markets close prematurely, and families live with constant anxiety over the next attack.
I am not yet in government, and do not claim access to classified security intelligence. Nevertheless, even without privileged insight, one cannot help but consider whether a strategy more grounded in dialogue and adaptive policy might yield better results.
Not dialogue for optics, but genuine engagement with carefully selected representatives from affected communities. If these young men, who prefer forested areas as their base of operation, could be offered or made to consider and agree to a structured roles as forest rangers or community monitors, wouldn't it be to the advantage of everybody?
This approach has precedents: transforming former insurgents or armed groups into responsible actors within state frameworks has reduced conflict and strengthened security in other regions.
Recent accounts show the urgency of such measures. Just days ago, a community member recounted his uncle’s narrow escape from a herdsmen attack—a scenario repeated in many localities.
These forests are not empty; they are already occupied and strategically important. Leveraging local knowledge through formal employment programs could convert potential adversaries into custodians of the land, while allowing police and military forces to focus on broader public safety, including urban centers and major road networks.
The current model—deploying uniformed personnel to engage in prolonged forest operations—has unintended costs.
Aside from straining manpower, it diverts resources from addressing emergent crimes like kidnappings, one-chance robberies, and urban criminal syndicates.
Moreover, the financial burden of ongoing confrontations in the forests is significant; strategic, incentive-based engagement could reduce expenditure while enhancing outcomes.
I fully recognize that governing amid complex security dynamics is never straightforward. There are intelligence considerations, political sensitivities, and operational risks that the public does not always see. Yet, even amid these complexities, common sense and innovation remain essential.
Shifting tactics, incentivizing local participation, and prioritizing dialogue over confrontation can save lives and strengthen the people's trust in the state.
Ultimately, progress is measured not only by roads built or salaries paid but also by the sense of security citizens feel when stepping outside their homes.
Governance is most effective when it combines infrastructure, welfare, and safety—creating a society where citizens can thrive without fear.
Maazi Obinna Akuwudike is a 2027 Governorship hopeful and writes from Owerri, the Imo State Capital