In this interview, Nigerian USA based Ikechukwu Azike who prefers to be addressed as Iyke from Orlu in Imo State spoke to Global Reporters Vienna (GRV) on the reason militating against rapid developments in Africa and why he is the right candidate for the governor's office in Imo State in 2015.
Excerpt:
Perhaps we should start by knowing you. In a nutshell, who is Ikechukwu Azike?
Ikechukwu D. Azike (Iyke) is a God fearing man, and a Christian from Umuozu in Nwangele Local Government Area of Imo State. I am based in the USA and happily married to a lovely caring wife Mrs. Ijeoma Azike. God has blessed us with four wonderful children. So, Iyke is a peace loving man, husband, father, brother and uncle. Lastly, I prefer to be addressed as Iyke.
May we also know your educational background?
Central school Umuozu was the primary school that I attended, and then Dick Tiger Memorial Secondary School, Amaigbo, in Nwangele LGA, Imo State. I also went to Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri. When I left Nigeria in 2007, I obtained a B. Sc. in Management from the University of Phoenix and M. Sc. in Health Administration/Education from the same University of Phoenix, USA.
When did you come to the USA?
I came to the USA in 2007.
After your graduation in 2000, what did you do before you left to the States in 2007 and what are doing now in the States?
As a youth corps member in the year 2000, my first job was with NAMA (Nigerian Airspace Management Agency), Maiduguri International Airport, after that like every other young person with vision, I voyaged to Lagos for job opportunities. I was opportune to work for Broad Bank of Nigeria Limited, now Union Bank. I also had the opportunity to serve in other Nigerian banks like Oceanic Bank, Zenith Bank, and finally KPMG Ikoyi before I left to the USA. I am currently working in the health care sector in USA.
Is it true that you wish to be the next governor to be inaugurated in Imo State on 29.04.2015 after Rochas Okorocha? And if yes, under which political party are you wishing to seek the mandate of Imo people?
Yes it is true. I have this burning desire to contribute to the development of my state and it is a very strong feeling that I cannot say no. Though, this wish to serve the Imo people in the capacity of Governor has not been broadcasted. We are still working underground with all the stakeholders just like you, but it is not something hidden. My 2015 vision is being pursued under the platform of APC.
Don’t you think that Imo people might cast protest votes against you?
Why?
Achike Udenwa who governed Imo State for eight years came from Orlu, the current Governor, Rochas Okorocha is also from Orlu and now Ikechukwu Azike who wishes to govern Imo is again from Orlu, is this sentiment not a big threat to your aspiration knowing that zoning is what is in vogue in Nigerian politics today?
No, that poses no threat. It holds no water because Imolites are educated electorates. The two people you mentioned, Achike Udenwa and Rochas Okorocha were elected by the people, they did not force themselves on Imolites. I don’t believe in zoning. Democracy is all about freedom of expression. When you zone offices you have systematically usurped upon the right and vibrancy of the electorates freedom of choice. Such arrangement not only narrows the options of the populace but it in most cases provides no qualitative alternative, and at the end of the day the development suffers. It is anti-democracy and one of the fastest ways to under develop any town, city, state or a country. If you have what it takes to govern and the people say you are the one they want, irrespective of where you were born or your religion, the will of the people should be allowed to prevail. That is the only door to aggressive development. Similarly, because of the high level of intellectuals in Imo State, the paradigm remains that Imolites vote at any point whomever they want without being influenced by the political zone of the person.
As a governor there are big responsibilities on one’s shoulder. By your work experience, how well are you prepared for this task? And how is your grass root interaction with your people?
Yes, the service requires a lot of dedication and sacrifice; I am not ignorant of that. According to Martin Luther King, Jr. “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable ... Every step requires the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.” As one who loves working for humanity, which everyone around me can attest to, my sincere service and dedication will be total. My several years of impeccable banking, audit, administration, and health care experience will be professionally put into practice for the benefits of Imolites. And as a team leader of TOYOTA vision on re-organization I am well equipped.
Presently I serve as an executive member of Orlu Provincial Union (OPU), Baltimore, Maryland, USA, so you can imagine how I identify myself with my people.
What will you do different from what past leaders have done in Imo if elected governor in 2015?
I must first thank our past and present leaders. Mr. Ahamefule, you will agree with me that they have contributed and are still playing their own parts to the development of the state, and without them Imo would not have been what it is today. Their sacrifices and commitments have given me a sound platform to serve my people.
Having said that, I want to point out that my research on why developments seem to go at snail speed in Africa proved that, apart from corruption and nepotism, lack of continuity was the greatest enemy. How can one abandon a project that millions or billions of money have been sunk into on insubstantial excuses? It is a blunder, a total hogwash and a waste of taxpayers’ money. That is politics of bitterness, myopic and unprogressive, which will not lead us anywhere. If my people will give me their mandate, I will put a total stop at this identified common enemy. While revamping and sustaining old projects established by current and past governors new ones would be executed and initiated hoping that the next governor that will come after me will also continue there. Our leaders travel to Asia, Europe and America looking for investors, but I will embark on quality, robust, and socio-economic programs, create a very conducive atmosphere that will awake the interest of investors to look for us. My manifesto will be strictly adhered to.
Can we know the content of your manifesto?
Though we are fully prepared, but like I said before, we are still consulting and still working underground, so the manifesto will be made public at the right stage and at the right time. However, for your curiosity and for public interest, I am a man with enough background in healthcare management. I plan to introduce an affordable health care policy for all where it is totally free. Because health is wealth and as our people say in our local language “Ndu bu isi” (health first), this sector will experience a total overhauling. You will agree with me that in Nigeria so many souls have been wasted because of negligence on the part of those on duty. While many perish because of fake drugs, a lot of people die avoidable deaths because our hospitals are just only big buildings without the right equipment. Some of the hospitals rooms our people are made to sleep in are monstrosity, too dirty, and sub-standard that under such condition, a dog in the USA may not be allowed to sleep in. I will turn things around in this sector that all this will be a story of once upon a time. I am not just talking about building a house in every local government and painting them. I am talking about equipping them to standard that Nigerians from other states will begin to come to Imo State for their medical needs. Politicians from other states will also be challenged to stop flying to Europe, America or Asia for medical treatments. It is achievable. And importantly too, I will also give education and employment priority.
To be a governor anywhere in the world is not easy especially in Nigeria and it is even an enormous task if one is based abroad. So, who is backing this project, or who is your political godfather in Imo State?
As much as it is a fact that it requires a lot for one to be a governor, one must have self-standard and respect that. I do not believe in politics of godfather. What I have learnt in many years of sojourn in America is that governance is a service to the people. The 2015 race is not a do or die race and I am not desperate to be a governor because it is just a service that I want to render to my people.
We can never get it right in this country until we see political positions as privileged opportunities to make contributions to the development of the society and not as a source of acquiring wealth. I wish not to attain power in 2015 through deceit by mortgaging the future of Imolites in the hands of one mortal individual, group or deity. Any power that is not from God is only temporal and whatever He has decreed must come to pass.
To answer your question plainly, God is my political godfather. I cannot betray my people under any condition.
Thank you for speaking with us as we wish you the best in your aspiration.
Thanks and God bless!
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