I must strongly apologize for missing in action last week on my regular write-up that elicits interest of political developments ahead 2015 general election in Imo State. A fortnight ago, I began a topic titled “Imo Political Summit and 2015 Guber Election” which was cut short due to lack of space. I promised to continue and possibly conclude it in the next edition which was last week. Unfortunately, it could not happen due to circumstances beyond my control which bothers on health.
It would be recalled that a political summit took place in Owerri, the Imo State Capital where some stakeholders met and reached an agreement requesting parties to pick their candidates for the coming Governorship Election in the state from Owerri Zone. Part of the resolution was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the event held at All Seasons Hotel, Owerri.
Expectedly, mixed reactions, amidst divergent commentaries trailed the exercise. I have no intention to join issues with any of the earlier commentators; rather I wish to express independent-minded views on the raging issue.
In my introductory write up which debuted two weeks ago, I did state that “a cursory review of the exercise shows that the summit may not lead Nde Owerre Zone to the expected El dorado in their desire to achieve gubernatorial dreams” I went further to note that noticeable flaws observed during that event may also be Owerri Zone’s greatest albatross towards producing next Imo governor.
My views stem from the fact that the exercise unarguably was a one-sided affair. One-sided by having politicians and stakeholders more sympathetic to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as key players in the conduct of the event. Apart from presence of seasoned journalist and former state Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, Chief Fidel Onyeneke, other protagonists of the Summit are partisan politicians loyal to the PDP course.
In my earlier analysis about Owerri zone clamour for 2015 Governorship based on the controversial unwritten Charter of Equity, I did advise that an all inclusive political summit by Imo political stakeholders be held to address this Charter of Equity issue. I opined that instead of allowing discordant tunes characterize the clamoured call for fair play and equity in 2015 gubernatorial election, Owerri zone stakeholders should convene a summit of Imo stakeholders for such purposes.
Judging from my observation, the summit fell short of my expectation as a section of the stakeholders were not involved. The only exception in terms of political office holders who is not of PDP extraction but graced the occasion, was Senator Christy Anyanwu of APGA. Senator Anyanwu’s presence at the venue can be understood as the two-time Upper National Assembly member has PDP roots and experienced occasional skirmishes with another elected personality in the state, and Governor of Imo, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, who was also elected under APGA platform.
Am aware that egg heads of other parties were also absent at the Summit as nothing was heard from the hierarchy of APGA/APC, ANPP, ACN and pedestrian political groups in the state.
The implication of the sectional exercise is that the clamour for all parties to have a person from Owerri zone as their flag bear for the 2015 Guber may only be applied to the PDP, as the Chairman of ACN (Charles Uba) factional Chairman of APGA, that of APGA/APC, Marshall Okafor-Anyanwu and APGA/APC were absent.
A glaring exposure noticed during the maiden Imo Stakeholders Summit was the non consideration of the interest of the State Governor, Owelle Okorocha and his lieutenants. It is not in doubt that Okorocha is number one citizen of Imo state by his position as Governor. Divorcing him from any stakeholders’ activity may run counter-productive and the desired result may not be achieved. Noted, the picture of Gov Okorocha was included in the brochure but it is insufficient to announce his support for the event. I am not of the opinion that the Summit should not hold if Okorocha’s consent, support and approval was not sought. But I expect his contribution and notification to be considered taking into consideration the role his interest played in 2011 election. The disruption of the Charter of Equity which would have given Okigwe Zone two tenures would be partly traced to Okorocha. Shoving aside the present Governor of Imo State from the equity and justice discussion would be unproductive to the realization of Imo Governor of Owerri zone extraction.
This suspected anti-Okorocha approach to the quest for Owerri zone Governor may have also led to the exclusion of the photograph of his Deputy, Prince Eze Madumere from the brochure. If the clamour is for Owerri zone, why exclude a serving Deputy Governor who is from the zone from protocol hierarchy even when a former Deputy Governor, Douglas Acholonu, from Orlu Zone had a space in the brochure? It is this same oversight on the part of the organizers that raised another sour point of the Summit where the Deputy Governor to Udenwa, Engr Ebere Udeagu was not also captured.
In his observation, a politician from Okigwe zone, Prof Nnamdi Obiareri lamented the exclusion of the record holding Udeagu who had opportunities of occupying the position for eight years. Obiareri’s views generated reactions from the audience who joined to condemn the exclusion.
In this regard all those loyal and members of Okorocha cabinet kept away from the Summit. To worsen the matter, Okorocha had two crucial public functions where APC enthusiasts and his lieutenants had filial meetings in Owerri in contrast to the spirit of the Charter of Equity.
One obvious fact that must not be neglected in this struggle for a Governor of Owerri zone extraction is for the protagonists of the champaign to include the interest of brother zones and every stakeholder in their quest. The Owerri zone should also know that the votes of people across the 27 LGAs will count and not only that of nine LGAs in their zone. Making the affair an Imo matter should be encouraged.
