I was chanced to listen to the rotation gospel being championed by one of Owerri zone based socio-political organization clamouring for all political parties to choose their governorship candidates from Owerri for 2015 election. I listened with rapt attention when the revered lawmaker (names withheld) tried to convince me on the reasons why the remaining two zones, Orlu and Okigwe should try and allow the Imo East Senatorial zone produce the next Imo governor.
I was not only fascinated by the logic and steadfastness he advanced to claim that it is the turn of Owerri zone in 2015, but also captivated by his group’s commitment to the project encapsulated in a statement he later made available to newsmen . What remained for the experienced lawmaker to shed tear while crying out against the discrimination meted to people of Owerri zone was the presence of Journalists and onlookers who shared their plight. For the avoidance of doubt, let me vividly recall the arguments forwarded by the group to win public support. According to them,
In the course of further interaction, the protagonists of Owerri zone for 2015 Imo governor opined that the people of Okigwe zone should be held responsible for not having a second tenure in 2011 after Chief Ikedi Ohakim started the zone’s race in 2007. According to my friend, lack of political leadership and unwarranted struggle for power, political gladiators from the zone was instrumental to their dismal performance in the ensuring governorship election while he disclosed that alleged “dirty politics” dominated by deep rooted mudslinging, character assassination, cheap blackmails and unprintable gutter languages became the campaign tools of the Okigwe brothers. I informed him that if the number of votes garnered by Araraume of ACN was added to that of PDP’s Ohakim, it would have tripled Okorocha’s total vote at the end of the polls. The logic was that while the two gladiators from Isiala Mbano a less populated Okigwe zone inflicted self injuries to themselves and divided their votes, a lone ranger from Orlu zone grabbed the chance.
According to the protagonists of Owerri zone for 2015 Imo Guber, self destructive tendencies allegedly committed by Ohakim and Araraume contributed to their utter rejection by the voters. He was quick to remind me that the force and much orchestrated “flogging of priest” saga that was used to malign Ohakim served as a willing tool by the Catholic to jettison giving the Okohia Isiala Mbano-born politician a second missionary journey ticket. That “Anyi agaghi aturu onye kuru fada ihe vote” (we shall not vote for the person that beats, a Rev Fr” mantra became an instrument of propaganda utilized by Araraume’s ACN camp to damage his kinsman’s integrity. To outwit the senator is the indecent game of blackmail, Ohakim’s men in PDP employed all manners of balks to demean his chances before the entire Imo electorates. Apart from using some derogatory statements to impugns his personality, Araraume received backlash over his activities in the senate where his antagonists accused him of being a dumb senator who has no bill to his credit an absentee on the red chamber considering the number of days he attended plenary sessions at the upper chamber of the national Assembly.
Though, both contestants did their best to debunk these allegations but the spiral and multiplier effects on the pysche of the masses were devastating and unbearable. It was these flying scathing remarks that gave way to the resounding support Okorocha from another zone received from the bewildered voters seeking credible alternative, which eventually threw him up to grab the governorship seat after several years of seeking elective positions.
I did inform the Owerri zone group’s leader that I foresee a repeat of what transpired between the two prominent Okigwe zone gunners for the number one position in the state in 2011, among Owerri zone front runners for Douglas House in 2015. Political pundits are of the view that considering the prevalent cold war, mutual suspicion and rising altercations among the early birds and suspected governorship aspirants from the zone, Owerri senatorial district will undoubtably witness political upheavals reminiscent of the 2011 Okigwe debacle. I even predict zone struggle between Araraume and Ohakim will no doubt be a child’s play to the expected feast of furry likely to dominate proceedings in Owerri zone if array of politicians seeking the number one position from the area are anything to reckon with. I need no soothsayer to predict that “wahala dey” for Owerri zone ahead 2015 and the gladiators are upbeat about the unwholesome acts” involved in our brand of “local politics” Nigerians nascent democracy debated in 1999.
Except the various pro-Owerri zone for Governor Groups intervene to institute sanity among the contestants, Okigwe zone will be better off as another opportunist may exploit the schisms to snatch it away, similar to what happened in 2011 when Okorocha of Orlu zone benefitted the from internal wrangling.
From Mbaike block to Owerri Federal Constituency and Mbaise clans, their front liners for the governorship position are entangled in one form of power and popularity struggle. Worse hit is Mbaise area, the famous “Country Five” nation where not less than six persons are alleged to be warming up for the titanic battle. So far, House of Reps Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, Senator Christy Anyanwu, Senator Bright Nwanne, Dr Sylvester Agonmuo, Engr Emma Ojinere and Dr Charles Onuoha are said to be interested in different political platforms. Except Onuoha who is of the APC, the rest are PDP members.
However, the Mbaise nation is breeding turmoil that would soon explode over the array of gladiators said to be interested in the race. But one contestant that could be said to be at the receiving end of rising attack and if unchecked may be harmful before the real action is Ihedioha.
The ranking lawmaker with about eleven years legislative experience is facing serious flaks from his kinsmen, who share divergent views about his 2015 ambition. Any step taken by Ihedioha to position and reposition his campaign machinery is misconstrued by his fellow Mbaise compatriots. Either the agents or followers of other contestants are suffering from complex problems or out to play destroyer role. It all started sometime last year when some prominent Mbaise indigenes urged Ihedioha to run for Guber position. No sooner than the news was made public, different groups from Mbaise working for other aspirants launched serial media attacks to demystify the Deputy Speaker of the lower National Assembly. The antagonism against Ihedioha has continued with hatched writers on the prowl. I am surprised that since a local tabloid came up with the news that Ezinihitte Mbaise has adopted Senator Nwanne, no other group questioned the integrity and capabilities of the so-called Ezinihitte. But when it comes to Ihedioha’s recent consultations and visitation’s to strategic leaders, perceived opponents will raise alarm and continue with invectives.
The self-destructive tendencies capable of denying Owerri zone 2015 guber is not only limited to the Mbaise as same scenario is being witnessed in Owerri Federal constituency where unconfirmed reports have it that APGA chieftain who has the party’s structure in the state is entangled in battle of supremacy with fellow Emekuku man and governorship hopeful Captain Emma Ihenacho. The no love business moguls from the same electoral ward might not be unconnected with the struggle for who carriers the party’s flag for 2015 governorship election. While Agbaso is reported to be dreaming to actualize his ambition, Capt. Ihenacho on Monday dumped PDP for APGA. Considering Agbaso’s overwhelming influence, it was alleged that the negative report against Ihenacho may be an outcome of his decision to displace Agbaso in APGA, even as there are no empirical evidences to substantiate the claims. The seeming cold war if unchecked is also capable of running the chance of the Owerri federal constituency candidates.
Since the demand for Owerri zone for Governor in 2015 is not restricted to PDP and APGA, intra-party wrangling over who should succeed Okorocha is also ravaging possible line in the ruling APC in Imo State. It is no longer news that the camp of able lieutenant of the state governor, Prince Eze Madumere and Chief Jude Ejiogu, Deputy Governor and Chief of staff respectively are involved in imaginary clash of interest. The suspected differences cannot be divorced from 2015 Guber contest. It was this suspicion that prompted those present during a recent APC stakeholders/facilitators meeting to disclose that Madumere and Ejiogu are rumoured to be interested in the governorship race. Any keen reader of local tabloids in the state would have noticed fire works emanating from the two camps to not only advance the case for their principals but also to cast aspersions and celebrate the misfortune of each other.
To worsen the matter, neck writers and agent provocateurs are involved in the cross fire attack.
The recent media report that Okorocha may be backing Imo Speaker, Ben Uwajumogu from Okigwe zone is traceable to the perceived in-fighting between the highly placed governor’s reliables.
The common aphorism that “a stitch in time saves nine” is for the people of Owerri zone angling to produce Governor of Imo State in 2015, as unchecked self destructive tendencies could spell doom as Okigwe people experienced in 2011.
