As I return to this issue, permit me to strongly apologize for devoting much time to the persons likely to be in Imo State House of Assembly after next general election.
For four weeks, I concentrated on political rookies expected to make laws for the state and represent the interest of their constituents in the state legislature.
Suffice it to note that as a community-oriented newspaper, my medium, Trumpeta considers affairs of the grassroots paramount in the target audience. The need to succumb to this pressure warranted the uninterrupted focus on Imo State House of Assembly aspirants for 2015 election.
Only last week, signs that the main opposition party in the state the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), may hit the rocks soon emerged, as each of the political blocs across the three zones that make up the political blocs of the state witnessed cankerous developments.
From Orlu, Okigwe zones to Owerri, it was drums of war with partakers sharpening their arsenal for the showdown. I was however attracted by the looming skirmishes in the Mbaise camp of the PDP. While there was crossfire missiles in Orlu between the camp of Chief Hope Uzodinma, Senator representing the area in the Upper National Assembly and those opposed to his alleged self-styled leadership of the zone and PDP in the state, three of the numerous governorship candidates of the Mbaise extraction in PDP, formed an alliance to challenge and kick against a supposed committee formed to adopt a consensus candidate to represent the interest of the area in the forthcoming governorship primaries.
My interest is not on the issues raised by the agitating group for communicating to prominent stakeholders of the area, like Chief Innocent Nwoga, Dr Alex Obi, Rtd Commodore Luke Ochulor and Chief Austin Papa, but another look at all the contenders from the Mbaise Clan wanting to replace the incumbent Rochas Okorocha in 2015, using PDP platform. This commentary is necessitated by the increasing numbers of governorship aspirants springing up from the area in some of the parties. It shall attempt to take another look at their strength, weaknesses and opportunities in the changing political climate ahead 2015 election. Considering the fact that sometime last year, I did a similar analysis on candidates for Douglas House from Owerri zone, the interesting developments within the political circle and the continuos clamour by Mbaise people that 2015 governorship be reserved for them in the Charter of Equity that favours Owerri zone warrant this piece.
Mbaise Clan is an integral factor to be considered in politics of Imo state. Apart from rich human resources scattered in every sector of life, a handful of dogged politicians abound in the areas to make them force to reckon with in the political arena.
Three LGAs namely, Aboh Mbaise, Ahiazu Mbaise and Ezinihitte Mbaise make up the clan fondly called “Country Five”. At present, the area enjoys some elective and juicy appointive positions like Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives in Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, Senator representing Owerri zone and Minister of Foreign Affairs Senator Christy Anyanwu and Prof Viola Onwuliri, respectively as well as handsome board appointments.
In the present dispensation, not less than seven persons are said to be eyeing the governorship seat come 2015. The guber hopefuls are pursuing their ambitions from different political platforms but PDP dominates, and the candidates of the umbrella shall be centre of discussion.
Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha
Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha is the number six man in Nigeria based in order of ranking. Fate played a role in Ihedioha’s life. After gaining political exposure in Abuja serving some high profile politicians, Ihedioha came back home to pick the PDP ticket to represent Ngor/Okpala/Aboh Mbaise Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives in 2003. He has been on the saddle for 11 years and lately declared intention to run for 2015 governorship. How he managed from nowhere to reach this stage may be an act of God
The Aboh Mbaise-born politician has enough contact and reach out both at national and state levels. At the moment, Ihedioha is undertaking strategic tours to all the nooks and crannies for sensitization on his ambition. The Deputy Speaker kick-started his runs when he began preliminary discussions with federal constituencies at his campaign office before changing gear to embark on LGA visits.
Ihedioha has in his kitty several profiled politicians that are marketing his governorship ambition. There is hardly any local government that has no person serving in his office and working for his governorship dreams. Ihedioha started early to recruit followers and foot soldiers.
One outstanding quality of Ihedioha is his ability to attract dividends of democracy to his federal constituency and to an extent other parts of the state. Several federal Government projects going on in the state attracted through several fronts are traceable to his office as Deputy Speaker.
Ihedioha also enjoys the support of his colleagues from Imo in the House of Reps especially those of the PDP. It is not uncommon to always see the likes of Chief Ralph Nnanna Igbokwe, (Ahiazu/Ezinihitte) Jones Onyeriri (Isu Njaba, Nkwerre, Nwangele and Gerald Ironna (Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta, Oru West) close to the Deputy Speaker during engagements as well as defending his interest in public fora.
As a serving lawmaker of the rank of Deputy Speaker, Ihedioha who has been in power for long in the Reps seat is loaded and undoubtable has the financial prowess to prosecute the governorship election. It is believed that among the pack, Ihedioha has the required pedigree and political know how to carry on with the Mbaise blessing. He has been a man of luck having succeeded a record three times to represent his Federal Constituency and at the twilight of his career as a lawmaker he emerged the Deputy Speaker. Ihedioha has garnered enough political exposure to stand tall in the midst
Ihedioha’s guber ambition is receiving more attention that other aspirants from the area no wonder he is always in the eye of the storm. His enviable position has become subject of tackles from within and outside. Seen as a potential candidate to challenge any opposition, desperate attempts are being made to torpedo his ambition.
Ihedioha receives attacks from all corners and he is often accused of exhibiting clannish interest by favouring only his lieutenants and kinsmen leaving little or no space to others.
Ihedioha is only the guber candidate in PDP the Owelle Rochas Okorocha government can be said to be developing fever for. This is manifested in the series of media attacks he receives from the government media team on regular basis. His position has also attracted opposition as petty jealousy and envy seem to have become the handiwork of his perceived enemies who see nothing good in his efforts at bringing democracy dividends to constituents. He is also said to not to be reachable and accessible.
Senator Christy Anyanwu
Before 2007 general election, not much was heard about Senator Christy Anyanwu on the political hemisphere of Imo state until she emerged from no where to grab the PDP ticket and eventually emerged Owerri zone representative in the upper chamber of the National Assembly, except that she was a commissioner during the military regime in the state and a prominent NTA broadcaster. Anyanwu has no history in Nigeria’s nascent democracy but however has risen to become an Amazon in politics of Imo. Her ambition for a back-to-back race was dramatic and an indication she has arrived to play her part in partisan politics. After a grueling primaries against Dr (Mrs) Kema Chikwe in PDP, where she lost, Anyanwu crossed over to the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA and survived the battle to Abuja by paying back Dr (Mrs) Chikwe in her own coin in 2011.
Senator Anyanwu is again on the path of history of becoming the first elected female governor of a state in the country. She is among the Mbaise Armada warming up for the contest. The National Assembly member is from Ahiazu and married to Dr Casmir Anyanwu, a financial and banking expert from Oboama Enyiogugu in Aboh Mbaise LGA of the state.
The former commissioner for Information in Imo state has gradually become a force to reckon with in the state having been in the power for about seven years. Within this period, the Senator has been able to justify reasons why she asked the electorates from Owerri zone to vote for her a record second time. Senator Anyanwu’s achievements so far are her strong points to seek for another elective position. There is hardly any of the nine LGAs that make up Owerri zone that has not felt her impact of representing the zone in Abuja. Apart from attracting some vital projects, she also engaged in necessary empowerments and outreach while protecting the interest of Owerri zone. In response to constituency expectations, Anyanwu has not jettisoned the idea of periodic briefings to constituents on her activities and developments that affects the people. Said not to be throwing money like other elected political office holders to win public support, the Senator can be said to have fought the cause of Owerri zone. Despite enjoying APGA fraternity with Governor Okorocha at the early stages of the present administration, the Senator was instrumental to the volte face of the governor in relocating main campus of Imo State University, from Owerri, to his Ogboko home town. The Senator in conjunction with leaders of the zone had to arrange Owerri stakeholders meeting to not only kick against the planned relocation of the higher institution but also express indignation over the action of the governor. As a woman, Senator Anyanwu may also enjoy sympathy and support from the women folk and gender sensitive persons in the state.
She is an embodiment of humility, courage and boldness. She is a symbol of effective and qualitative representation as fortified by her legislative records of achievement and attraction of democratic dividends to her constituents. She is a listening Senator and very compassionate. She is a global team player and bridge builder. Well accepted in the three senatorial district. Being a woman is a plus as women constitutes the major voting population. She is experienced both as a legislator and executive as one time commissioner for youths, culture.
She is said to have the support of the presidency and international community. She has financial muscle to prosecute her ambition. She is well educated and a human right activist that believes in rule of law, equity and natural justice.
What may likely work against her kinsmen, Ihedioha will also catch up with Anyanwu. People in the state may request for fresh blood and politicians without encumbrances to run the state. Having been in elective position for eight years, giving her another mandate would appear difficult because of the popular motion that characterize local politics known as “Mmanu akara di uto, onye ratu ibe ya aratu (bean cake is sweet, it is turn by turn). It will not be out of place to state that she may have stepped on the toes of people who would kick against her ambition. More so, APGA adherents will not forget in a hurry the manner she unceremoniously dumped the party after gaining support and votes from the members. The party members still bear grudges how she never contributed to the growth of the party that haboured her in time of need. Senator Anyanwu’s feminine status could also be another minus for acceptance. Though world over, gender status are ignored in choosing heads of state, governors and other elective positions but political pundits in Imo indicate that it may be a hard sell for the electorates in the state to vote a woman for governor. Analysts believe that considering the peculiarities of politics in the state, it may appear difficult for a woman to emerge governor of Imo in the nearest future.
Since Anyanwu has Owerri zone as her catchment area, breaking through other zones to get mobilzers and campaign machinery may be another obstacle to prosecute even as it is said she has embarked on a reach out.
Engr Emma Ojinere
In late 2005, a debonair businessman and great player in the oil and gas industry who is from Imo state, Engr Emma Ojinere began subtle means to become number one citizen of the state. The programe fizzled out later when Ojinere in submission to the Charter of Equity which favoured Okigwe zone for 2007 governorship called it quits. Since then, he remained in the political system until recently when he began consultation for declaration to contest the 2015 governorship under PDP.
Ojinere no doubt is a chieftain of the PDP having served as Deputy Chairman of the party in the past. However, in 2015, Ojinere is about to make his dream come true. He has commenced consultations and publicly declared interest to replace Okorocha in 2015. Ojinere undoubtably has a long history related to governorship contest amongst the aspirants even as he showed interest in Senate three years ago during the race for Owerri zone Senate.
Since 2005 he came into politics, Ojinere has been in the game of politics and cannot be said to be a “Johny Just Come” JJC, politician. He has garnered enough political clout to gain the required contact and reach out to contest for governorship. Ojinere may not find it difficult getting foot soldiers and allies across the 27 LGAs of the state since he has acted as the party’s Deputy state chairman as well as running for the Owerri Zone Senate. Despite spending some years, he has no encumbrances and may be considered worthy for the race if sanity is a criteria for would be candidate from the Mbaise Clan. Aside from his pocket, younger brother named Chidi is also said to be well loaded to fund the campaign of Ojinere.
The owner Macletek, a firm interested in oil and gas may be battling with tepid posture on what he really wants in politics. Observers are of the opinion that he is desperate for power but distracted by indecision. Each election year he will gather supporters and sympathizers for an elective post but gradually fade away when the expected time for proper election approaches. His hide and seek routine exercises during election year has made him lose vital allies and supporters who take him not to be keen for any position. This act has seen his political structure shaky. As a businessman, it is said that Ojinere may not likely go into a worthless venture if he knows that would not favour him at last.
Senator Bright Nwanne
The Mbaise squad seeking governorship ticket in 2015 is not limited to Aboh and Ahiazu Mbaise LGAs only because. Ezinihitte has Senator Bright Nwanne.
Senator Nwanne was elected to represent Owerri zone in the early 90s under defunct NRC. Though, their stay in Abuja was short-lived because of Abacha’s military junta that quashed the semi-democratic structure installed by the former Military Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida. Senator Nwanne after several years of tasting power wants to become next governor of Imo state.
Very cool and calculative with likeable traits to be a governor, Senator Nwanne is believed to be one of the finest breed from Mbaise that can be trusted and handed power. The years he spent in the political field is a great advantage having garnered the support of Owerri zone people in the past to be Senator. Believed to the a silent achiever who does not make much noise about his personality and past, his political ranking and contacts in the political field is a big plus. The former Senator is also reported have what it takes to run for the election and enjoys support of leaders who are strongly behind him.
However, having become a Senator for Owerri far back and apparently not becoming a strong force again in the PDP, and Owerri zone politics, Nwanne may be a lone ranger to prosecute the election. Moreover, he may no longer be in tune with the political realities of the day since he has not been active in the present dispensation except now that he wants to run for Governor. His reach out is said not to be resounding enough since there is no clear cut campaign machinery.
Dr Obioma Agonmuo
Coming from USA with love is a medical doctor, Obioma Agonmuo, who hails from Ogbenneisi in Ahiazu Mbaise LGA. Agonmuo has continuously nursed the desire to serve his people. Initially, he made moves to run for the chairmanship position of Ahiazu LGA but made a U-turn, until few years ago, he came up with governorship ambition. So far, it is no longer a joke but a reality that Agonmuo is in the race for the soul of Douglas House, Owerri, come 2015.
Agonmou is a virgin politician who can also be trusted and handed power because of his new comer status. Like few aforementioned ones, he has no sordid past and may have not brushed his image in any form. Judging from his philanthropy the medical doctor politician can get favours from the people and those in Diaspora who are aware of his antecedents. His Ogbe home town can testify to his numerous goodwill which comes in various forms.
Agonmuo has used his altruistic gestures to gain prominence in the society.
In spite of his relative new comer status in politics of the state. Agonmuo has an outstanding political exposure at international levels to be reckoned with. His age and professional know how are strong points to be counted and considered.
There is no doubt that Agonmuo will pay the supreme sacrifice of a political learner. As a first timer in the race, many political jobbers will exploit his poor knowledge of the political terrain to be a parasite in his system. At the end he may realize the difference between running an election in developed and developing climes to count his loses.
Agonmuo is at a disadvantage in the party since he can be said to be a foreigner to PDP he wants to carry its flag in 2015 guber. The question on the lips of many is where has he been since the formation of PDP? What he has contributed to be growth of the party will definitely count in his success story. Agomuo will also realise governorship is not a councilorship race local champions flourish in their respective communities.
