For the uninitiated, the time is too far away. But for political Pundits and schemers, the 2019 Imo State Governorship election is just by the corner. And for such realists, they are not mistaken.
After the fast approaching December, which ushers in Christmas celebrations, before the masses know it, the incumbent Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha would have spent nearly a year in office, therefore when you remove the months for party primaries, campaigns and elections proper, Okorocha has barely two-years working days left in his calendar of leading Imo State for two terms of eight years Governorship.
Therefore, when pundits begin to vision what 2019 Imo Governorship may look like, don’t think they are over-stretching imaginations.
Who will ever believe that the much hyped 2015 elections have come and gone, with Dr Goodluck Jonathan out of office without heavens falling, even against the Americans prediction that 2015 election will consume Nigeria.
From the look of things, nothing will change much positively in Imo in 2015 and beyond. In terms of development, Imo will witness more stagnation as the incumbent Governor has lost the zeal to do more, except to repair some of the dilapidated infrastructures that his regime initiated without time-frame in mind.
Rather than build more roads in Imo it would be better to repair the ones already constructed by Government.
In the next few months, Imo State will face the consequences of the concessioned Government Agencies and Parastatals. I am talking of the Labour crises that will trail the exercise, because those who took over the Agencies certainly would like to re-organise them to their own desires, which is generally going to lead to retrenchments, and more deluge of unemployed youths streaming around Imo environment.
Before digressed, I was looking at what 2019 holds for Imo people politically. For now, it would be better for Okorocha to round-off his tenure and leave, than Supreme Court cancelling his election now which may either take Imo back to a fresh election or a fresh Okorocha mandate. No matter what PDP or Emeka Ihedioha camp may think, this is my own humble suggestion and opinion which I am highly entitled to.
As I was saying, in 2019, the usual faces will still dominate the political scene. And to play prominent roles include Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, Senator Hope Uzodinma and others.
The three dominant political parties will still rule the air waves as usual. They are the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, All Progressive Congress APC, and the All Progressive Grand Alliance APGA.
The PDP can never be a pushover. The problem PDP has in Imo State is that its Leaders believe individually that the party belongs to them. Therefore, rather than pool their resources together and build a solid political party, which can always be used to transport one of them to power, they prefer operating singularly from various cells , all with same ambitions, which in the end clash and crash to the detriment of the grass roots, who always feel used and dumped.
Any fellow who wishes to tell himself the truth can observe that since 2007, the PDP has no reason to continue to fail to produce a Governor after Chief Achike Udenwa who Governed from 1999-2007.
Remember that Dr Ikedi Ohakim in 2007 assumed office as a candidate of the Peoples Progressive Party PPA, and then Owelle Rochas Okorocha came to power under APGA in 2011, before moving to APC now.
In the whole scenario, it is unfortunate that Ohakim and Okorocha were all PDP henchmen before they were frustrated out to seek political succour elsewhere. But while Ohakim choose to retrace his step back to PDP, Okorocha has vehemently refused to go back to PDP.
Infact, it is this Okorocha’s posture of not returning to PDP that has even kept Imo PDP a little alert. Had Okorocha “gone back” since 2011, the PDP would have since rested on its oars, and begin to enjoy Government Booty as usual.
This “free meal” attitude is what has kept the party where it is today in Imo politics. While other political party members can endure hardship, hardly can PDP members. The “share the money” syndrome has driven many Imo PDP members to believe that political party membership is all about eating, drinking and “Transport money” when other political parties tax their members for funding.
This is the reason some of its members seen as top Chieftains could not even “fast” for a few months before they begged Governor Okorocah and joined his train, and today they trail Okorocha wherever he goes to; it remained for them to escort him to the rest room.
While PDP has a bright chance in 2019, the party can never throw away the Spell that has held her down for twelve years, as far as Imo Governorship seat is concerned, which is the greatest Spoil of political War.
The common aberration in Imo PDP is that those who sow hardly reap. When the party resumed re-invigorating its inner soul in 2014, Chief Jerry Chukwueke spent his time and money to traverse the entire nook and crannies of Imo State calling out disgruntled members of the party, who still remained aggrieved over the 2011 debacle.
However, the Awaka Owerri North born Chukwueke thought that such selfless efforts are appreciated in Imo PDP hierarchy. He got the first shock the day President Jonathan visited Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri, and his name was not even mentioned. He could not gain entrance into the Presidential Podium. Yet he was called the “Chief Mobilizer” of Imo PDP. Instead, those who did nothing but have “Legs” took over the entire scene, while those who laboured looked on bemused.
Thinking that was an over-sight, Chukwueke received the highest humiliation during the December 2014 Governorship primaries, when he has to withdraw mid-stream after seeing the hand writing on the wall.
For now, it is the turn of Emeka Ihedioha. He seems to be the “Face” of Imo PDP because he is its Governorship candidate in the last election.
The Aboh Mbaise born Ihedioha has been sinking millions of his personal wealth into PDP. His fights in the Tribunals and Courts have kept the name of PDP ringing bell in the ears of Imo masses. For sure, had Ihedioha thrown in the towel and moved on with his life after the election, Imo PDP members who hardly have patient for the next bread would have left in droves since in search of greener pastures elsewhere.
However, the ironically aspect of it all is that when the time comes, rather than commend Ihedioha for his efforts which had kept Imo PDP floating, he would be in line for destruction and humiliation. The only exception would be that Ihedioha is not such a politician you can give the “Jerry Chukwueke treatment”. Because when Ihedioha kick, he kicks hard.
But one sorry situation is that what happened to leaders at their own levels, also hits even the lesser members of the party at calamitous propensity at the grass roots. In PDP, that you are a “Driver” does not mean you cannot be given appointment as a Teacher, provided you have your father, in-law, brother etc in a good position.
In the last PDP Delegate “selection”, nearly all those who sponsored the party at the grass roots, either through calling small meetings, or helping the little people in the communities were denied “selection.” Instead the so called Leaders preferred illiterates and stooges who made no contributions to the party, only that they were “zombies” they can manipulate.
Now, the chicken will soon come home to roost. PDP will soon confront these humiliated members at the grass roots in its bid to rebuild for future political battles.
APC will surely be a big obstacle to other political parties during the 2019 year. However, this depends how Governor Okorocha ends up in 2019.
His achievements will be the yardstick for Imo people to judge APC. Although the situation is very bad now for APC in the State, following Okorocha’s policy inconsistencies and massive suffering in the land, but things can improve as we still have a long way to go.
Okorocha, as I wrote last week, knows how to “use” Imo people. When he releases those his “Magic Wands” you will see Keke people dancing on the streets shouting “Owelle” once again.
Many Imo people are shouting against Okorocha now because the rains have exposed all the roads he built in Owerri. But the moment the rains are over and the roads are patched and looking smooth, “Owelle” will turn to a Mesiah.
However, Okorocha usually builds every political party he belongs to around himself alone. He prefers a “two-member” political party, since he sees a political party as just a vehicle to “arrive” at a political destination. Infact, Okorocha believes that it is individuals that make a political party.
This theory worked for him while he was in APGA. The party was moribund when he took it over from Chief Martin Agbaso, and it gained momentum and became a moving Train for Imo masses.
However where Okorocha got is wrong was that it was not his popularity that galvanised Imo APGA then. It was simply because Imo people were tired of PDP and needed a change. Any change.
So, he came at the right time and became the alternative. Had Ikedi Ohakim remained in PPA and built the party, I believe that Imo masses would out of sympathy also voted him into office for a second time.
We must remember that when PDP thrashed APP in 1999, nearly all the “Big men” in Imo State were then in APP before they started relocating to PDP, and their weights nearly sunk the party. Imo electorate hate elite arrogance.
Therefore, I see Okorocha helping other political parties demolish APC in 2019.
He will be doing that inadvertently. For instance, when the Governor continues to whittle down the power of APC State Chairman, because he wants to control the party, he is in the process limiting the zeal of the State Chairman from expanding the fortunes of the party in the State. Because when funds are denied strategic “Builders” of political party, such party suffers tremendously to the advantage of other political parties.
Imo people all saw how the Governor collected the Governorship ticket of the APC, gave it to his son- in-law, went to contest for Presidency and returned home to Imo State and collected back the Guber ticket.
That was an indication that APC is spineless and is controlled by one individual. Such a party operates like a communal Association in its mondus oparendi. In Imo State, APC is Okorocha and Okorocha is APC. That is a fact; But instead, a Governor can control a party through a powerful Chairman who holds the party structures for him. This develops the party more, because the Governor can never have the time for the day to day running of a political party. But he can plant a stooge who operates at the helm, while holding forth for him in proxy. It seems Okorocha does no trust any fellow in Imo APC who can hold the party for him, while he faces the serious business of Governance.
Despite PDP’s follies, no individual can pocket the party in Imo State like Okorocha does APC. Ohakim and Udenwa could not have done that. Instead, Dr Alex Obi was a powerful party Chairman, for Governor Udenwa.
APGA as usual will remain the platform for aggrieved APC and PDP Stalwarts after they have been humiliated by their parties as usual.
Whether Emeka Ihedioha and Ifeanyi Araraume will contest 2019 Imo Governorship election? That question is a simple Yes. As long as God gives both men good health, they will be on the soap Box in 2019. Not only them. His Excellency, Ikedi Ohakim should not be ruled out.
But the question I want to ask is this; where else could you find a Medical Doctor if not in the Hospital?
These men are accomplished in their chosen professions, but politics is their vocations. Therefore, they will always be found in the Imo political space. Looking around Imo State from now till 2019, where would that politician that will dislodge this people come from? Politics is like a game of football. You don’t just manufacture a player in a day.
Where is that player that will replace Mesi and Ronaldo just after playing a few games?
Apart from experience, politics need money. I mean solid cash! Then contact, reach-out and who you know.
Araraume and Ihedioha are coming. I will deal on their chances and the intrigues next week. See you then.
