Cross-carpeting is part and parcel of politicking. It means the movement of a politician from one political party to the other. Nigerian politics is in tandem with this norm, but it says that it can only happen when a political party is rocked with crises; its members can then move to a quieter political platform to actualize their civic rights.
Therefore, it is not a new thing that as President Goodluck Jonathan visits Imo this week, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will be celebrating the return of some of its members who sought for political pastures elsewhere, but are coming back to the PDP fold after what may be described as a failed journey.
Failed because, a journey that was successful would not warrant the explorer returning back home so fast and without any fortunes added to his/her previous condition.
But the irony of the whole affair is that Imo PDP is rolling out the drums to receive these political heavy weights who jettisoned their political party at the point all hands needed to be on deck in 2011 for the hard-fought elections.
These Big men returning to Imo PDP under fanfare include Chief Achike Udenwa, a former Governor of the state, with his followers which include Col Lambert Iheanacho, Hon Mayor Eze, and others.
Another political Elephant staging a come-back is a two-time Senator of the Federal Republic, Chief Ifeanyi Araraume, with his legion of followers. They are lucky as they are having a “Presidential hand shake” in their second missionary journey to the PDP.
But the salient question is; does it worth all these tumultuous celebrations to welcome these great Imo sons back to PDP?
Fact be told here. There is no how anybody can say the “capture” of Araraume and Udenwa back to the PDP family is not a great fit. It is, because they are respected politicians in there own rights. But are the celebrations worth it? Men who left their party when it needed them most? Is it proper to jettison your political party at a crucial stage to pursue your own ambition, only to return to the party again after a failed trip, under the quake of the land?
Don’t get me wrong! It is absolutely legal for one to leave any political party to seek for greener pastures elsewhere, if the party you belonged to did not give you the platform to actualize your ambition. But return to the same party under the blaze of thunder and pageantry is a misnomer!
These gently men are free to return to PDP, but from their ward levels as stipulated by the Electoral Act and constitution, but not by shaking down the roof.
PDP recorded a sterling victory in Sokoto and Kano states, where it “captured” Shakarau and Bafarawa, not only because they are former Governors with legion of followers, but because they belonged to different political parties. So, it was an addition to PDP. Is that of Imo same?
So, what is Imo PDP celebrating in Udenwa and Araraume, than recircling of old members who dumped their party for a failed venture, and then retraced their steps? Would these men have returned if they had succeeded where they to? Has Okorocha returned? Instead he is pulling the walls against PDP.
What Imo PDP should be celebrating is people like Chief Mike Nwachukwu, a top financier of All Progressives Grand Alliance APGA, in Imo state. A former state secretary of the party, and former Campaign Director, of its guber candidate, Chief Martin Agbaso.
This is the type of person that should be celebrated as Jonathan lands Imo, not folks, who tried their hands elsewhere, and returned only because things did not work out, where they went to.
There were even rumour that a mouth-watering appointment is awaiting Udenwa as a “cushion and welcome package” for returning to a political party he was a foundation member, served as Governor, and minister before jumping ship in 2011 to contest a senatorial seat under the now defunct Action Congress of Nigeria ACN.
Imo PDP is celebrating Udenwa and Araraume because the party remained alife, which the two gentlemen met after travelling on their political voyages. What if others had left as they did in 2011? What would they have met today as remnant of PDP in Imo state?
So, if Imo PDP is throwing red-carpet to receive former members, what signal does it show to the ardent followers who had remained steadfast under the various waves that shook the party since 2011 till date?
Araraume and Udenwa, I believe should have rather asked what they would do for PDP, than for PDP to ask them what it could do for them. Senator Ararauume was a two-time Senator, while Udenwa after being Governor became a Minister. Therefore, if there is anything that accrues from politics, PDP platform made them test it to the tilt?
In 2007, Chief Achike Udenwa made a successor in the person of Chief Ikedi Ohakim as the Governor of Imo State. This was after confusion had taken over, as the then incumbent Governor was not sure who his successor would be, as he could not mentor any.
From the bedlam that developed the PDP in the process of producing its guber candidate, Ohakim, who had left PDP to clinch PPA’s ticket became the joker and emerged as the Governor. One thing let to the other and the successor had a political face-off with his predecessor, and Udenwa not only abandoned Ikedi Ohakim whom he installed, but the PDP as the 2011 elections approached.
To the shock of many, Udenwa, a known man of peace, urbane and easy-going joined train with Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, the same man, against all permutations and masses’ sympathy he denied Governorship ticket in 2007.
They brought obscure ACN to Imo state. While Araraume vied for the Governorship, Udenwa contested the Senatorial seat of Orlu. However, in the end, both could not make their ambitions materialize.
While Araraume had a re-think and joined forces with PDP in the rerun election of May 6, 2011, Udenwa stuck to his guns and fought PDP till the last hour. It was Orlu, which “Balkanized” PDP’s victory. For had PDP won in Orlu which gave APGA over 30,000 votes, it would have been in office at Douglas House as Jonathan visits Imo tomorrow.
Orlu, the catchment area of PDP, with the largest number of LGAs in the state fell to APGA against every imagination.
For Senator Araraume, nobody should grudge him over the decision PDP to be in tug of war with PDP since 2007 elections in Imo state.
Araraume was the candidate to beat in the PDP primaries of 2007. Against a war chest, from the Federal Government anchored by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and at home led by Udenwa, the Isiala Mbano born politician still won the Guber primaries, with Senator Hope Uzodimma caming second.
He fought his way up to the Supreme Court, yet the forces rallied against him were bent on thwarting his dream to Governor Imo state.
However, when in 2009, the then incumbent Governor Chief Ikedi Ohakim wanted to return to PDP from PPA, Senator Araraume kicked, as he perceived that if Ohakim returns to PDP, as the incumbent Governor he would be given the ticket for a second term, which will jeopardize Araraume’s ambition to yet again run under the platform of PDP. So when Ohakim returned, Araraume knew that that had put a seal on his plan to attempt Imo Guber again under PDP and therefore joined ACN, where he went to the embrace of his former friend and fore Achike Udenwa.
Political watchers wondered if the Udenwa/Araraume romance then would jell! But as if under spell by Udenwa, Araraume received Udenwa at the shock of many, who lamented if the Senator had removed his thinking cap, when it comes to politicks of horse trading with Udenwa.
As the 2011 Guber election approached, the ACN chieftains worked hard to challenge PDP and win as is normal in a political contest, with all the intrigues involved.
With their eyes fixed on the diadem, Araraume and Udenwa pursued the various elections one for Senate, the other Governor. But unfortunately, the thunder struck again, as the result of the election brought back the memories of 2007 when Udenwa ditched Araraume and handed power to Ohakim. Araraume was betrayed in Orlu zone.
Woken from his blind trust of Udenwa, Araraume teamed up with his brother, Ikedi Ohakim to regain lost grounds in the May 6, 2011 supplementary election. But it was too late as the horse had already bolted away from the bern. All, they say, is now history.
However, an election year is here again and Udenwa and Araraume are staging a come back to the PDP.
While Araraume has told Imo people that he is yet interested in serving them as Governor in next year’s election, the Amaifeke, Orlu born Udenwa is yet to let any body into his plans for 2015.
A few weeks ago, his name reverberated in the entire Federation that Jonathan was giving him the Sure-P plum Seat as a welcome bonus back to PDP.
As Imo PDP welcomes these bigwigs, it should not allow this frenzy distract it from the story making the rounds that the councilors, elected under PDP platforms are threatening to dump PDP and look for political salvation elsewhere. In every rumours, there must be an atom of truth. No smoke without fire. PDP should not allow this rumour lie low without proper verification. These guys must not be allowed to go.
It would sound ridiculous that after receiving these heavy weights back to the fold, the PDP foot-soldiers are lost to political exigencies. The councilors are the back bone of the party in the Wards and communities. They are as important as the big men too. The only difference being that the Big men have money, contacts and other influences, but the youthful councilors are the “ground soldiers” of the party. The infantry division of the party.
A general has no power with out troops. He can only give instructions, while the troops carry them out. Therefore, when a troop revolts against a General, he is as good as dead. These councilors must return now.
In this circumstance, in a chain, all connections are important, and dependent on each other for survival.
Let us go, is not one person. Form I circle is not one person.
After the celebration this week the Imo PDP should go back to work immediately. The party is executing an election for the first time as an opposition party next year. It may seem far, but it is too near.
One of the issues facing the party now is the chairmanship position presently cedes to Orlu zone, via Chief Nnamdi Anyaehie.
There are those subscribed to Anyaehie’s emergence, while there are others who are still kicking. It is normal in a democratic environment, but what is important is how the aftermath of the situation is managed in other not to create bad blood among members.
Aggrieved parties should be placated, and advised to see reason, as the majority must have its way, while the minority have its say. That is democracy.
If Imo PDP does not resolve the fallouts of the chairmanship saga, as the primaries of various political positions approach, it may be difficult to manage the heat that may emanate from it, which may put the party under pressure as the election beckons.
All said and done, PDP has ample chance to regain Imo in 2015, by working hard without taking any thing to chance. APC is the party in power in the state, and will not wish to go done without a serious fight. Therefore, it is a tough duel ahead.
In this case, PDP must first get its house in order so as to face the enemy out-side with all hands on deck. What happened to PDP in 2011 should serve as a great lesson. That is, to he who wants to learn.
