By chris gbujie okafor
It is no longer a subject of speculation or idle conjecture peddled by both political pundits and politicians of diverse persuasions in Imo State and beyond. It is real. The hullabaloo about the return of the third democratically elected governor of Imo State for eight years and former Minister for Commerce and Industries, Chief Achike Udenwa has come to be a settled matter. On Saturday, February 22, 2014, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee will storm Owerri, the State capital to receive Chief Udenwa and his teeming supporters back to the Big Umbrella.
The abandonment of the all Progressives Congress (APC) by the former governor in preference for his former party of which he was one of the founding fathers and the animated discussions engendered by it in several quarters – market places, places of religious worship, offices, beer parlors, motor parks and among professionals of various callings find expression in the observation of William Shakespeare, “when beggars die, no comets are seen, but the heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes”.
Perhaps it will be pertinent to situate the significance of this presidential visit to Imo State in its proper perspective.
The epoch-making visit is strategically crafted at this point in time to recapture a state that has manifested the PDP spirit in all its ramifications since 1998. As everybody knows, no father can allow his illustrious son to go astray.
Right from inception, Imo State has found comfortable accommodation under the red-green-white (PDP) umbrella. Despite the intimidation presence of political big wigs such as the late Chief Sam Mbakwe, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Chief Arthur Nzeribe, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, Engr. Ezekiel Izuogu and a host of others, all of the now rested All Peoples Party (APP), the PDP still coasted to unquestionable victory in both the gubernatorial and State House of Assembly elections when democracy returned to the country in 1999. Chief Udenwa despite visible and invisible challenges within and opposition launched the State into a pedestal of achievements in both infrastructure and human capital development. Under him, Imo became the most peaceful State in the country. Till today, Imolites feel nostalgic about the Udenwa era. He is also remembered for his empowerment of a hitherto dehumanized and impoverished citizenry.
It was little surprise that Imo people voted for him overwhelmingly in 2003 for another four years in office as their governor.
However, misfortune struck the PDP in the state following the announcement of its participation withdrawal in the 2007 governorship election in the State by the former president of Nigeria Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and the then PDP national Chairman, Senator Ahmadu Alli following an unfavourable court judgement against its candidate Engr. Charles Ugwu. But to still assert its political control of the State, the party, under the leadership of Chief Udenwa threw its weight behind Chief Ikedi Ohakim of the Progressive Peoples Party (PPA). Predictably the Party and its standard bearer Chief Ohakim, despite obvious institutional and personal deficiencies and shortcomings won the election. The PDP also won twenty-six out of the twenty-seven State House of Assembly seats in the State. Of course, these electoral successes are traceable to the charm, charisma and political perspicacity of the reticent political strategist, Chief Udenwa.
It will be pertinent to observe the factors responsible for the loss of Imo state to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in 2011. Consequent upon the intra-party fend ignited from high quarters coupled with the inexplicable alienation of party benefactors by the beneficiaries of the political benevolence of Chief Udenwa in the 2007 governorship election in the State, he decided to seek party accommodation in the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). His defection to the CAN cost the PDP the gubernatorial victory of 2011. This is an unassailable fact. Ever since, it has come to be appreciated that the fear of Udenwa in Imo politics is the beginning of wisdom.
The visit of Mr. President to receive returning and new members of the PDP in Imo State at this point in time is appropriate and timely. It is a bold political calculation aimed at restoring the lost glory of the party in the Eastern Heartland. The political fortunes of the PDP under the leadership of the longest serving governor are guaranteed. The historic Udenwa homecoming to the PDP is unquestionably advantageous to the party against the backdrop of the extant trivialization and personalization of the a6racacCa6ra governance in the State today.
Moreover, the political synergy to be generated by Chief Udenwa’s return and other ebullient leaders scattered in all the three senatorial zones of Orlu, Owerri and Okigwe will surely re-launch the PDP to the path of electoral victory in all its manifestations in 2015 and beyond. It is good that Udenwa is returning to the Party at this time serious realignments are going on across the country. Imo PDP stands to benefit immeasurably from his return.
