Support Groups Celebrate Ikedi Ohakim at 69, Renew Call for His Return, Reaffirm Confidence in His Leadership

Goodwill messages, endorsements and declarations of support filled the atmosphere on Tuesday as former Governor of Imo State, Dr. Ikedi Ohakim, marked his 69th birthday anniversary.

The celebration, organised by several pro-Ohakim groups including Team Ohakim, Bring Back Ohakim Movement (BBOM), Dr. Ikedi Ohakim Vanguards, Keep Imo Moving (KIM), Lifelong Ambassadors of Ohakim, the 10,000 Job Beneficiaries Forum, Imo Youth Movement for Ohakim and other allied organisations, was used to celebrate what they described as not only a leader but also a legacy and a future for continuity.

According to the groups, Dr. Ohakim’s record of purposeful, disciplined and people-centred governance, coupled with his achievements in infrastructure, environmental renewal, education, healthcare, security and youth empowerment, continues to inspire confidence among many Imolites and reinforces their conviction that proven leadership remains essential for the state’s future.

As part of activities marking the occasion, the brother of the former governor and former Chief of Staff to the Imo State Government, Sir Emmanuel Ohakim, alongside the Director-General of the Bring Back Ohakim (BBO 2027) Organisation, Capt. Bishop Johnson (Rtd.), members of the support groups and other well-wishers, visited the Imo Specialist Hospital, Umuguma, where they offset the medical bills of several indigent patients in a charity outreach.

Beneficiaries of the medical outreach, including Mrs. Evelyn Chibueze, expressed appreciation to Dr. Ikedi Ohakim and members of the support groups for offsetting their medical bills, praying for God’s blessings, good health, long life and a successful return to power to enable the former governor to do more for the people of Imo State.

Speaking at the celebration, Sir Emmanuel Ohakim thanked members of the various support groups and other well-wishers for honouring the former governor on his 69th birthday and prayed for God’s continued protection, good health and wisdom upon Dr. Ohakim.

He described the outpouring of goodwill as a reflection of Dr. Ohakim’s enduring relationship with the people of Imo State, noting that the charity visit to the hospital underscored his longstanding commitment to compassion and service to humanity.

The former Chief of Staff urged members of the support groups to remain united, peaceful and steadfast in their mission while expressing confidence that their commitment to the ideals of good governance would continue to grow.

Chairman of the occasion and former Imo State governorship candidate, Chief Osmond Ukanacho, eulogised Dr. Ohakim, describing him as a true leader whose impact continues to resonate across the state.

He said the massive turnout of supporters and well-wishers, despite the former governor’s absence from the event, was a testament to the goodwill, confidence and enduring relationship he has built with the people over the years.

Ukanacho commended the various support groups for their steadfast loyalty and commitment, describing them as faithful followers who have remained consistent in promoting the ideals of the former governor.

He urged them to sustain the momentum, assuring them that Dr. Ohakim is a leader who has always stood by those who believe in him and would never disappoint his supporters.

Speaking on behalf of the support groups during a press conference held as part of the celebration, the Director-General of the Bring Back Ohakim (BBO 2027) Organisation, Capt. Bishop Johnson (Rtd.), described Dr. Ohakim as “a visionary statesman, accomplished administrator, institution builder and transformational leader whose record in office continues to inspire millions of Imolites.”

The groups maintained that his administration demonstrated that governance could be “purposeful, disciplined, accountable and people-centred,” adding that his legacy was built on integrity, innovation, environmental renewal, infrastructure development, security, institutional reforms and human capital development.

They recalled that despite serving only one term, the former governor introduced the New Face of Imo Agenda, which they said transformed the state through the internationally acclaimed Clean and Green Initiative, educational reforms, agricultural development, healthcare expansion, tourism promotion, transport infrastructure and the merit-based employment of 10,000 graduates.

On security, the groups said Dr. Ohakim’s administration strengthened public safety through Operation Festival, describing him as one of the few leaders with deep knowledge of the state’s security architecture and the capacity to contribute meaningfully to restoring peace, public confidence and stability in Imo State.

The coalition said the growing support for the former governor across the state was driven by his performance while in office rather than nostalgia and accordingly renewed its call on Dr. Ikedi Ohakim to return and once again offer himself for service to Imo State.

According to the groups, over 100,000 Imolites at home and in the diaspora have already endorsed a petition urging the former governor to answer the call to serve again. They maintained that their position was inspired by his record of performance, competence, experience, integrity and proven leadership, insisting that Imo stands to benefit once more from his wealth of experience in governance.

The support groups also reaffirmed their unwavering confidence in Dr. Ohakim’s leadership and renewed their commitment to the restoration of justice, equity, good governance, security and sustainable development in Imo State.

They prayed for God’s continued good health, wisdom and strength upon him as they expressed optimism that he would give favourable consideration to the widespread calls for his return.

Highlights of the birthday celebration included a charity outreach, musical performances, the presentation and cutting of the birthday cake, a press conference, networking among political stakeholders, and interactions involving the leadership and members of the various support groups on the way forward for the movement.