The April/May 2011 Gubernatorial Poll in Imo State: A Triumph of the Masses

Abstract

Election provides a platform for people to elect those who direct the affairs of the state for a specific period. In this sense, its outcome could either be an acceptance of the leadership style of those in power, hence a re-election or a rejection, in which case they are voted out of office. Most regrettably, in the Nigerian context and in Imo State in particular, the results of the elections conducted in the past eight years could hardly be
said to reflect the wishes and aspirations of the electorate. But the result of the April/May 2011 gubernatorial election appears to be a departure from this untoward trend. This paper discusses the nature, process and outcome of the said election and argues that the departure was occasioned by the doggedness and determination of the masses of Imo State to
emancipate themselves from the stranglehold of self perpetuated leaders and political elite. It contends that the result of the election was a manifestation of innate revolutionary impulse inherent in the masses of Imo State which found vent in the “one man one vote and your votes
must count” slogans of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, as well as the popularity and charisma of the APGA gubernatorial candidate, Owelle Rochas Okorocha.