A few days ago, some of my ardent Nigerian readers based outside the country called to say that I have turned to a Prophet.
First to call was Mr George Ikwezu, who lives in Ontario, Canada. And then Dr Alphonus Osu a native of Oru East, who lives in Houston, Texas, USA.
Both referred to my earlier article where I had warned that if the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, does not take time, the 3 man Adhoc Delegate election will tear the party into shreds, even before the real election.
Today I have been proved Right. We are all aware of what transpired on November 1, 2014 during the exercise. Till date the dust raised by what ought to have been a “brotherly” exercise among members of the same “family” turned out to be a battle between Iran and Iraq.
As I write now, about Eight Governorship Aspirants in Imo State have petitioned the party over what they termed bias by the party to favour a particular candidate. This notion is engendering unpredictable scenario that may follow the Governorship primaries, since those that emerged from the Delegate election will determine who carries the party’s flag in the House of Assembly, Federal House, Senate and mostly the Governorship.
The Delegates who emerged from this exercise now have the power to determine the political future of all Aspirants gunning for various positions in the PDP.
This situation makes the matter serious, even though most PDP members and Aspirants simply took the issue of Delegate election as an exercise where the strong can smash the weak, and the most smart, out-wits the lazy. But it is more than that.
For instance, a lot of people had believed the constant mantra that the PDP is having a rebirth and therefore assumed that the exercise would be conducted under a peaceful atmosphere, trailed with free and fair conducts. But most PDP members were disappointed as they waited in the rural communities to witness the so-called internal democracy within the “New PDP” in vain. But they were dismayed that the Leopard has retained its colours.
Take or leave it, the November 1, 2014 Delegate debacle is bound to haunt the Imo PDP until the election period is over in 2015. Although the exercise took place in some places, in more than 60% it never held.
Although intrigue and manoeuvers are part of politics, the Ward Delegate exercise was a very big challenge to the PDP because it will show really if the party is ready or not to embrace internal democracy which nourishes the spirit to vote and be voted for.
A lot of people who are pained with the shoddy way and manner the exercise was conducted are not angry that they lost personally, but the overall consequences it holds for the PDP in Imo state in general.
The question on the lips of many Imo electorate is, when will PDP get it right, by doing things the proper well, not short-changing its members and shooting its self on the foot in the process?
What is certain now is that there is a crack on Imo PDP wall just like the entire Federation, following the ugly feedbacks from the Ward delegate elections.
In the case of Imo state, the trouble is just beginning. Reason is that I don’t see how the PDP will listen to about ten Governorship Aspirants agitating for the cancellation of the exercise. Because even if the exercise is repeated ten times, some people still must complain. And then, leaving the situation as it is now without addressing their demands is simply inviting trouble. So, what will happen?
The truth of the matter is that many people are disposed to PDP. Infact PDP in Imo state is like a catholic church, where the absence of a member will not even be noticed. But this should not make the party to squander its connection with its members and the masses.
It is true that in politics everybody has his or her own interest. But the matter gets out of hand when those vested with the power to manage the affairs of all members of a political party get too much biased instead of being neutrality in their judgment for the benefit of all members and progress and development of the party.
Infact, if PDP in other states is taking things for granted it should not be the case in Imo state. Imo PDP is in a dicey situation presently. But it is yet to sink into the heads of all its members.
For the first time since 1999, the PDP in the state is going into an election as an opposition party.
Therefore, this is a new cattle of fish, and the party needs to understand that. But unfortunately, Imo PDP still does her things as if it is the political party occupying Douglas House, Owerri.
The greatest scenario the party should avoid is what would create implosion within the party now. This is because there are relatively, other strong political parties waiting in the wings for those disgruntled PDP members who will team up with them and give PDP a bloody nose in 2015 election.
Indeed, history has proved that the trouble with Imo PDP has always been the PDP itself. Apart from between 1999 to 2005 when there was real opposition, posed by the All Peoples Party, APP and later All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, PDP has always had a free reign in the state.
Even the two times that the party lost power in 2007; His Excellency, Ikedi Ohakim and 2011; His Excellency Rochas Okorocha, the party was fought and dislodged with their own prodigies.
In the 2007 scenario, Ikedi Ohakim later returned to PDP and the party took over power again in the state, but relaxed and lost it in 2011 to Owelle Rochas Okoroch who is not ready to follow the Ohakim formula and return to PDP. Instead Owelle Okorocha has “imported” his own political party and out to give PDP a fight for their money in the 2015 election.
Therefore, there is a challenge before the PDP in the state. But has the party realized this? No matter the confidence exuded by PDP members, with the posture on how it will flush out APC and regain the Douglas House. But that must be followed with positive thinkings and plans. Now, is the last Ward Delegate election conducted by the PDP part of the grand plan to remove Okorocha in 2015?
With rancor and petitions trailing that exercise, I hope the PDP will have enough time to heal the wounds, put her house in order, and face the real challenge posed by the enemy outside.
With just a few weeks left to the primaries and the main election, when will the party be able to reconcile with itself and members?
The issue of the Delegate election and its aftermath is more critical than that of Leaders quarrelling over positions in Owerri and Abuja. The outcome of the Ward Delegate election touches the grassroots. Therefore, it concerns the foundation of the party and its members at the roots.
I always say it that politics is local. Therefore, it is the total results garnered from the Booths in the villages and communities that make a political party to win or lose election. That is the reason President Goodluck Jonathan will travel to Otuoke, in Bayelsa state to vote, and not at Aso Villa, Abuja.
It therefore follows that most PDP members in the Wards have not seen Emeka Ihedioha, Ikedi Ohakim, Ifeanyi Araraume, Ken Njemanze, Ken Ojiri, Jude Njoku or Chris Anyanwu etc.
But they know their Leaders in the hamlets who instruct them on what to do or not on election days. Where to vote or not. Therefore, PDP must reconcile its members especially those leaders hurt at the foundation of the party, the wards. And fast.
Naturally, it is not every body that will emerge in the Ward Delegate election, especially when the number is limited to only three people.
Therefore, the PDP should not assume that all is well, and as usual sweep the grievances caused by the delegate election under the carpet. All is not well. Therefore should not pretend if PDP it is serious in reclaiming Douglas House in 2015.
Imo PDP’s position is even worse, when you take into consideration the fact that the party has no arrow head, whom all members can listen to and fall into line.
Presently, it is all man on his own, and God for all of us. Ihedioha, Ohakim, Araraume, Hope Uzodinma, etc are all deep in the race for one position or the other and therefore biased. Is it Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu who recently said that Ndigbo should wait till 2027 before agitating for Nigerian Presidency! The situation, when it gets out of hand will be unmanageable. I may be called a Prophet of doom, but I am happy that the ones I predicted have all come to pass.
As Imo PDP exhausts itself in internal battles, even before the war is declared open, other opposition parties are watching, perfecting their own plans, as they know that what transpires within the PDP family will give them the idea on how to map out their own strategies.
The fact remains that PDP still has large followership in Imo and members are ready to “wait” on the party and see how things will pan out as 2015 election approaches. But if Imo PDP mismanages its fortunes again this time, most members may not have enough patient to tarry awhile. News filtering in from many states concerning PDP is scary. In Ogun State, Senators and House of Assembly members are leaving in droves for other parties. And in Northeast the Senators are also baying for blood.
In Imo, the situation is most complicated because Governor Okorocha is out to do all he can to destabilize PDP and prove to his followers, within and outside Imo State that he is if not incharge of southeast, but Imo State.
And any body who tells you that Okorocha is not perfecting plans to humiliate PDP in 2015 is a lier. So, the ball is now on PDP’s court.
Much as the elites have seen through Okorocha’s deceptive policies, the rural dwellers need binoculars to see what you are telling them against Okorocha and his administration.
Therefore, Imo PDP has an enormous task, which needs concentration and dedication, therefore petitions and petitioners are a pain in the Ass now. The party needs all hands on deck to arrive at its targeted destination in 2015. Therefore, the earlier it is done with her disgruntled members, and commence reconciliation moves the better for the party.
Election is a process, which the ward delegate election is part of. The main election is that with other opposition political parties conducted by INEC. The task has just begun and PDP must carry every body along, but let the wounds heal first and it must be now,
