It took me several hours before I considered it necessary delving into this topic and using “the Emeka Ihedioha Factor & Nde Mbaise “Rat Race” For Governor”. Since the debut of this column with special interest on events that would characterize 2015 general election, I have tried to exclude partisan proclivity or be a slave to skewed imagination to favour any person or group in my weekly commentaries. My views have always been a by-product of undiluted observation of political developments in the state and characters likely to ruffle feathers in the next two years. And to the best of my knowledge, I have done my bit so far without any exhibition of bias or sectional interest.
However, the headline of this week’s edition may cast doubt about my sincerity. As a commentator, I am entitled to my opinion on contemporary issues and that prompted my foray into the raging issue of Mbaise clan and the purported stakeholders request made to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, to run 2015 election for the position of the week’s write up on “Can Christy Anyanwu, Emma Ojinere, Prof Jude Njoku, Dr Agonmuo and Chief Erivo be Governor? While I touched others, I left Prof Njoku and Chief Erivo for today. However, permission will be extend to me for another time to talk about Prof Njoku and Chief Erivo.
Recently, a group of politicians of Mbaise extraction reportedly requested their own who is also a three-time ranking federal lawmaker to consider running for the plum position in the state. Led by one-time Federal Commissioner incharge of National Population Commission, Chief Joe Ndu and surrounded by some political heavyweights, the group asked Rt Hon Ihedioha to throw his hat into the ring for the 2015 battle.
Moments after the exercise, the media was awash with the stories in different styles and presentations. The group which comprised distinguished sons and daughters of Mbaise nation as the area is fondly called, used the solemn moment to celebrate the claimed giant strides of the Deputy Speaker. In his address, Ndu said “Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, the Omekahuruanya of our time has contributed greatly to the socio-economic development of our society the need to urge him to continue and expand his leadership values to Imolites is the bedrock.”
Hardly had the report of the exercise hit the newsstands, than opposing forces from all quarters began to channel their attacks against the move. A group, Mbaise Political Coalition, claiming to be umbrella organization for all groups clamouring for emergence of a Governor of Mbaise extraction in 2015 led the antagonists. According to the group, there is no such resolution by Mbaise people to endorse any candidate in the person of Ihedioha for the Guber race, adding that all Mbaise sons and daughters interested in the position should endeavour to partake in the quest.
Also, Mbaise-born politicians with All Progressive Congress, APC, relationship added their voice to the condemnation of the Ihedioha group when appointees of Governor Okorocha like Charles Onuoha and Alan B Onyemaechi after a meeting at the home of Chief P C. Onuoha declared that the so-called endorsement is mill and void and of no effect whatsoever for them, there is no vacancy in Government House, Owerri, to warrant such endorsement or request.
The media ruckus that greeted the request to Ihedioha did not exclude independent commentators and analysts like us who added their stake to the discourse.
The unfolding scenario corroborates my earlier postulations that Owerri Zone people will be the architect of their own misfortune in the desire to produce the next governor of the state. In one of the Baba-na-Baba 2015 Vibes series, I did highlight that clannish interest and primordial expressions would be the Zone’s greatest albatross to 2015 conquest. If only a pronouncement from a particular interest group is sparking a row and schematic outburst in the three local government areas that make up Mbaise Clan what would be the fate of their 2015 quest when hostilities begin in 2017?
Of course, the disturbing schisms are expected from the fold. Politics is a game of interest and players are entitled to their interest. Though, what is playing out in Mbaise is not unusual but it has potentials of rubbishing any desire for the clan to produce the next Governor of Imo State.
However, analysts and opinion moulders are disturbed why Ihedioha aspiration would raise eyebrows in Mbaise clan. In an earlier write-up, I did state that apart from having in his fold different appointees outside his Ngor Okpala/Aboh Mbaise Federal Constituency, there is nothing to suggest that Ihedioha is interested in 2015 governorship. Ihedioha’s numerous appointees from other LGAs in the state can be justified if his Deputy Speakership position is anything to reckon with. I will continue to reiterate that Ihedioha’s 2015 governorship interest is a premature speculation expected from a mobile political holding such elevated office since he has not made concrete efforts towards the project. The response to the Mbaise stakeholders who persuaded him to run that he should be allowed ample time to consider the request corroborates my earlier view on Ihedioha’s ambition.
Now, why is some Mbaise stakeholders worried about the request to Ihedioha? There is no hidden the fact that somebody or group is afraid of Ihedioha joining the race hence the firing of initial salvo against the stakeholders’ request.
As the jostle for 2015 race is gathering momentum, many interested bidders for certain political positions have made their intentions known without altercations trailing it. Few months ago, yours truly was part of media executives another aspirant, Capt Emma Ihenacho, informed about his governorship ambition. Also at the recent PDP sensitization tour to Ahiazu Mbaise, American-based medical doctor; Dr Agonmuo publicly declared interest to run for Governor. Same applies to Owerri-West born Barr Bethel Nzimako who had earlier made his feelings to be the Chief servant of Imo in 2015. In all these declarations, no unsavoury statements trailed it. It is also not a hidden fact that prominent Mbaise Indigenes like Emma Ojinere and Senator Christy Anyanwu are raising platforms for the guber title without anybody raising eyebrows.
However, Ihedioha’s case is different because a group of Mbaise stakeholders had approached him to declare interest for 2015 Governorship unlike the aforementioned who made their ambition public without being under pressure. The question on the lips of many is whether it is an offence for Ihedioha kinsmen who found favour in him, to ask him to join the race? Drawing blood from each other is end would not mean well for the clan and entire Owerri Zone for 2015.
While the stakeholders who went to request Ihedioha did not stop other interested Mbaise teams to enjoin another aspirant to run. There is no way all prominent Mbaise groups and elites would join forces and back an aspirant for the 2015 governorship race and other positions like the Senate seat. I had expected Ihedioha’s antagonists to indicate if the Deputy Speaker is not qualified to contest the guber race in 2015.
A cursory overview of the characters who antagonized Ihedioha for the request indicate that they represent special interest and groups. Their identities and political lineages are well noted suggesting that it is more of “hands of Esau” working.
I strongly believe that since those who presented a request to Ihedioha do not have the blessing of generality of Mbaise people, nothing stops Ihedioha’s antagonists to also extend similar request to their favoured aspirants and candidates.
If one of the contending groups in their reaction against the stakeholders request claim that there is no vacancy in the Government House, Owerri, to warrant Ihedioha running for the 2015 Governor, whose interest are they advancing? Is their submission on 2015 Guber not a sectorial response to the whole confusion? For now, let’s watch and see.
