The Born-again Rochas Okorocha

Change, being one of the constants of existence, has occurred too frequently in some places to be considered extraordinary anymore. One such place is the life of former Imo State governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha. Still wearing the vesture of a vanquisher after all this time, Okorocha is the symbol of solidness, always reborn from the ashes of circumstance.

Imo State remains on its trajectory of struggle and progress. Like every other Nigerian state, it no longer holds many fond memories of former leaders. Despite Okorocha’s unrestrained power and influence in the state in those years, little remains of his prestige.

During the recent gubernatorial election, Okorocha’s influence might have experienced a bit of resurrection. Brandishing this influence against the attempted reemergence of his successor, Hope Uzodinma, Okorocha tried to convince the people of Imo to choose his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu. But Okorocha’s pleas fell on deaf ears and Uzodinma came out on top of the situation.

Any other man would be broken, feeling betrayed that the pillars built over eight years would fade so quickly. Not Okorocha. He has certainly mostly stayed out of the public eye since the election, but it is not the way others hide away to lick their wounds.

Still, it is important to note that Okorocha is not as loud as he was before the elections. This is surprising considering that not even an alleged N2.9 billion corruption charge in the middle of last year could shut him up like this, especially after the court declared him innocent of the charges.

The coming years may be rowdy for Okorocha. They may push him to new heights or plunge him further into political unimportance. But this is certainly not the end for the former governor. There is a Ministry of Happiness catering to his heart somewhere, and it continues to keep him quiet and out of trouble.