A clearer picture of those jostling for the Senate ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for Imo North is appearing as parties begin sale of forms.
In the past postulations, the only measure used to include aspirants is speculation. But the decision of the two major political parties in the country, PDP and the All Progress Congress, APC to begin sale of forms is an attempt to separate the men from the boys and also pretenders from contenders.
Going by its composition as the least in number of LGAs in Imo, Okigwe zone is unique and the actors turbo charged for the position will present an interesting game when the battle begins.
In part one of this title which started last week, I did x-ray the stress-free challenge Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Benjamin Uwajumogu, and industrialist, Clement Owunna will face in APC and APGA respectively. If current ratings are anything to go by, they are likely going to carry the banner of their parties for the final showdown.
The PDP ticket race will appear more titanic considering the number of heavyweights eyeing the position. Leading the pack is the incumbent Senator, Mathew Nwagwu. The present Senate Committee Chairman on Foreign Affairs emerged from nowhere to dramatically pick PDP ticket in 2011 before going ahead to easily win the National Assembly election. Said to be a career diplomat of many years before venturing into partisan politics, Nwagwu is a contender to watch.
Nwagwu has picked nomination form and eagerly looking forward to the primaries coming in few weeks time. It was learnt that the Senator after serving for a tenure wanted to step aside for another person in 2015. But based on yet to be confirmed agreement between the PDP leadership and Presidency with serving senators promised continuity ticket, Nwagwu is making a U-turn on earlier stand. Developments in National Assembly indicate that members of the Senate and House of Reps who have been cooperating with the presidency and jettisoned APC during the era of mass defection in the federal legislature will be compensated with a return ticket. The arrangement blossomed when an endorsement was handed over to President Jonathan as the sole candidate for the 2015 Presidential election. As a pay back for keeping faith to the party and presidency, a fresh mandate for the serving senators of PDP extraction is loading. Nwagwu intends to maximize this opportunity to gain a second chance ticket.
The attraction of dividends of democracy to Okigwe zone people from federal agencies and extension of empowerment programmes are other factors informing Nwagwu that his fresh ambition will receive support. Even as this medium has not been properly briefed and informed about the score card of Nwagwu, some constituents believe that his stay has resulted to a paradigm shift in senatorial representation in the zone.
Apart from regular constituency briefings he continues to give on periodical basis, scores of projects he attracted and other necessary empowerment programmes remain his strongs points of asking for a second missionary journey to Abuja. Since this medium is not armed with any motion or Bill he sponsored to the benefit of his constituents, one cannot speak about his legislative ingenuity and efforts on constituency representation.
If Nwagwu had it easy in 2011 pocketing the PDP ticket before the main election that was more of a walk over because other contestants chickened out, 2015 will definitely be a different ball game. The changing picture of political development in the zone coupled with the interest of high calibre personalities wanting to replace him will add glamour to the race.
First to pose a challenge to the incumbent is the principle of zoning which does not favour his Okigwe South bloc. Nwagwu’s Obowo LGA is in Okigwe South Fed Constituency that is completing two tenures, it is expected that by 2015, it will return to Okigwe North bloc of the zone. And that has given rise to fresh challenges from the likes of Nnamdi Obiareri, and Patrick Ndubueze from that Okigwe North divide.
In Nigeria’s constitution and Electoral Act of 2010, I don’t think age barrier was included to stop a contestant advanced in age for the position of the Senate. The general feeling is that Nwagwu is ageing and should thank God for capping his career with a senatorial experience. He is expected to take a bow in 2015.this feeling gained momentum when indications merged that the senator is battling ill health. Reports have it on the day the Ahmadu Ali led reintegration team of PDP visited Imo, for consultation, it was reported that the Senator left in an unceremonious manner fueling speculation among his constituents that the manner he deserted PDP office could be what he does at the National Assembly when issues of strategic matters are on.
It is important to state that the need to have a younger person bubbling with strength, energy and dexterity to match the nitty-gritty of legislative duties at that level prompted the aspiration of a youthful university don Obiareri. From Ihube in Okigwe LGA, the law teacher can be said to have paid his dues in the field of politics but has not succeeded in meriting an elective position. Obiareri is one of those who has been on and off the corridors of power since 1999. His earlier affinity with the former Deputy Governor of the state, Ebere Udeagu earned him Special Adviser position and later commissioner. When Ohakim came on board, he was in the line up for cabinet position as commissioner.
This experience in government is a motivating factor to seek the Senate position in 2015. A cursory look at Obiareri’s profile if placed side by side with other challengers will easily earn him the ticket in any of the parties for easy ride to Abuja. The Professor of law has impressive resume that Okigwe people can ignore party sentiments to support if they desire vibrant and effective representation. A grassroots oriented person with charming tentacles to attract sympathy, the Okigwe North bloc desire is an added advantage to spur Obiaraeri into action.
Since politics is a different ball game because wishes are not horses, inherent obstacles and unavoidable encumbrances will put a stop to his ambition.
Obiareri is running neck to neck with another kinsman from Okigwe zone, Patrick Ndubueze. Their ambition may spell doom for the Okigwe duo during the primaries over unavoidable split votes to be suffered which is likely going to be their greatest albatross during the PDP primaries. If every contender will make do with the number of delegates from his/her LGA, Okigwe LGA will be at a disadvantage position because of Ndubueze and Obiareri who have collected PDP forms for party’s ticket.
Irrespective of the acceptability status of a candidate like Obiareri, cash plays a prominent role in election. As a university lecturer, the teacher mentality when it comes to spending of money may hinder Obiareri from using the needed financial logistics to lure and induce delegates and voters to his senate project. In this dime, politicians who are spendthrift are favoured to gain support than others. More importantly, Obiaeri must also have a measurable control of party structure to create an impact. A prominent factor that is likely going to be a stumbling block on his way is the number of political enemies he may have garnered since 1999 as an office holder. Those he may have crossed their paths in the past as an office holder may exploit this chance to give him devastating blow against his ambition.
Only freshers into the political scene will not be familiar with the name Patrick Ndubueze.Ndubueze from Okigwe LGA has been in politics since early 90s. He was in the National Assembly to represent his area during the SDP/NRC days until he went into political hibernation only resurrecting for the senate seat.
However, he intends to relaunch political career and rediscover his winning ways in 2015 using PDP platform. A business mogul with considerable logistics to prosecute the election, Ndubueze is plotting to garner support for the throne. The former lawmaker is reported to be one of the early birds that signaled intention to run for the senatorial position of Okigwe. In terms of getting the command of the party structure, Ndubueze has an edge as he was sad to be the only person who cared to uplift the party after the 2011 election when other bigwigs jettisoned PDP because it was no longer in power at the state level. Ndubueze strengthened the party with party offices and other necessary incentives for progress. He hopes to reap from his altruistic gestures when the stage is set for PDP primaries.
However, Ndubueze needs to be informed that there has been a drastic change since he won in the early 90s till now considering that politics is dynamic and unpredictable like a sport. Party tickets are not merely given but aspirants work for it. The interest of his fellow Okigwe man Obiaraeri, will also pose a threat while his seeming unpopularity beyond his Okigwe North bloc will affect to his ambition in Okigwe South bloc.
Earlier, it was doubtful if former secretary to Imo state Government, Cosmas Iwu was going to run or not. After trying his size for the position in 2011 using ACN platform, political pundits were of the opinion he may not run again in 2015.
But as the floodgate for collection of PDP forms opened, Iwu was one of the persons who doled out about N4.5m to pick Okigwe zone senatorial form. Iwu is relying on old links to carry the day. Having ran for the election three years ago, he knows the terrain of Okigwe zone too well to excel and making use of the goodwill the Iwu family extended to people of the area he is aiming for success. Former INEC boss, Prof Maurice Iwu, is Cosmas elder brother. He is an influential personality to dictate the pace in Okigwe zone and pave way for the brother. Iwu will also utilize existing campaign structure of ACN line up in PDP, to do the battle.
Working against Iwu is that he is from Okigwe South bloc and also fresh is PDP after recent return to the umbrella party. As a returnee, getting the party structure to gain acceptance and votes of delegates will be strenuous task. If Iwu could not make it in 2011 under ACN, what makes him think it will be possible in PDP after failing to show concern in the affairs of the party for over three years?
Next on the line is Athan Achonu, a multi millionaire business man from Ehime Mbano. Otherwise known as one hand General, Achonu is banking on several contacts to get the PDP ticket even as there are speculations that he is joining APGA to realize his ambition. A philanthropist and community leader issues per excellence, concerning Achonu will be rested until he picks any of the party forms to run for the Senate.
