By the time I was writing this piece, two text messages from unknown persons flung into my phone. The content of the messages were the purported results of the Oguta House of Assembly re run elections.
One of them contained details of the results with the PDP polling the highest number of votes, while the other text was on the contary as the result it bandied about gave victory to APGA. I was perperlexed and confused. Which one among the two is the authentic result and besides how can an election have two results. At this moment, I suspected that things have awry in the Oguta re run election.
My reporter whom I drafted to cover the polls called yours sincerely 30 minutes later to say INEC declared the election in Oguta inconclusive. He had inundated yours sincerely with a blow by blow account of the election. His reports indeed really put a question mark on the credibilty of the election in the first place.
Some of his findings and reports were so chilly and frightening that I began to wonder, based on his reports, if the Oguta election was not being manipulated by political witches and wizards .When will we get the election is Oguta right, I asked myself.
On the election day, I saw a scrool message on AIT network where Eugene Dibiagwu raised an alarm, alleging that the electoral process was faulty as he sought for the cancellation of the polls citing manipulation of the entire process.
Days before the election, we also heard all sorts of stories that could make any sane person to wonder and quiver if what was about to take place in Oguta was an election or a battle reminiscent of an Iran and Iraqi war. I wondered if it was not battle for the votes of the people but a war for the fittest by some powerful politicains in Imo State.
The build up to the tension in Oguta began when Governor Rochas Okorocha’s outrider was alleged to have knocked down a die hard Dibiagwu supporter.
Two versions of the incident were bandied about. While Government House insisted that the Governor was on road inspection and attacked by Dibiagwu’s supporters, the PDP camp responded and alleged that the Governor’s security aides manhandled the said supporter and wanted to drag him into a vehicle, a development which attracted the rage of the youths.
Then came another wild story that one of the contenders in the election hired thugs from outside the State to cause disharmony in the polls on election day. The Imo PDP Chairman, Eze Duruiheoma had come on HOTFM to allege that APGA intended to cause wahala in the election.
Several faceless organizations and groups did advertorials on national and local newspapers threatening fire and brimstone if their choice candidates did not win the election.
I felt pity for the people of Oguta when all these political brick bats were going on. For two years now, Oguta had no representative in the Imo House of Assembly.They have been under represented in the present political dispensation. Hon Eugene Dibiagwu who went to the House stayed for few months before the courts quashed his election and ordered for another re run election.
Oguta has seen less or little representation in the House and it is more painful that the people of the area considering their enormous natural resources have been subjected to the worst form of political annihilation and deprivation in recent times.
Twice, Oguta became a battleground for Imo politicians who wanted to flex their imaginary political powers and prowress. Rather than the political actors to focus on issues driven campaigns that has become the norm in modern politics, what we saw was an exhibition political desperation exhibited by political jackals in the State. They can be found both in the PDP and APGA or is it APGA/APC or what.
Both contending forces have exhibited the highest level of desperation that made us to wonder if both political parties forgot the need to convince the Oguta electorate to cast their votes for them. In civilized countries, issues form the crux of political campaigns. Those who seek for public offices are assessed by their capacity, antecedents and ability to deliver if eventually elected into office.
Sadly, the reverse is the case in our clime. Issues driven campaigns have taken a flight. What we see here are Nzogbu Nzogbu brand of politicking. What we have seen in Oguta is a clear manifestation of what we should anticipate in 2015. It is a mirror for us to see how charged the political arena will be in the State. It has given us an insight of what to anticipate from our politicians in 2015.
The Oguta election has given us cause to worry and bother. It has given us the need to fear for the worst in 2015 in Imo State. What will become of our dear and beloved State after the 2015 elections? Can a winner extend a handshake to the loser and the loser reciprocate the winner’s hand of reconciliation and friendship in return? Can our politicians make amends after exchanging political blows in an election?
The Oguta polls is a startling revelation. Indeed, dangerous times are ahead when the elections hold in 2015 in Imo State. May God be with us.
