There is a common saying that says “ What God has put together, let no man put asunder” The Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, and Senator Ifeanyi Araraume are now in the same political party, the All Progressive Congress, APC, and are said to be working in one page.
This political marriage was consummated a few months ago. Political pundits describe the romance as that necessitated by political exigencies of the time. This is because Okorocha and Araraume began this latest political friendship at the heat of Imo Governorship election this year.
Because of the political consequences staring both of them in the face at that time, they had no option but to embrace each other and enter same political boat.
While Okorocha discovered to his chagrin that is would not be as easy as thought to retain the key to Douglas House a second time, Araraume was coming from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Governorship primaries bruised, after Hon Emeka Ihedioha had out-smarted him in grabbing the party’s governorship ticket.
Under this scenario, both Okorocha and Araraume needed each other. For Okorcha, it was to leverage on Araraume’s structure in the State, and shore up his own political base and outnumber PDP voters in the election, and Araraume to maximize Okorocha’s position as the sitting Governor and inflict a devastating wound on the PDP, for “robbing” him the Imo Governorship ticket once more.
Therefore, looking at the whole scenario that brought these two political heavy weights but strange Bed fellows together, it becomes pertinent to ask if their political romance will last.
For me, I see it as a marriage of interests, necessitated by political ambition of each of them and therefore is hinged on personal goals, which may clash soon and lead to quick divorce.
Politics, as we know it, is a game of interest. And the major interest here on the Okorocha/Araraume latest come-together is the Imo Governorship seat. In this case, Okorocha is already enjoying the booty, which cannot be divorced from Araraume’s imprimatur. Knowingly or unknowingly, Araraume has contributed in making Okorocha governor of Imo State twice now.
The first time was in 2011, when Senator Araraume ran for governorship of Imo State under the platform of ACN, and Okorocha under the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA.
It was Araraume who decimated the block votes of PDP followers in Okigwe Zone, which would have ordinary gone to Chief Ikedi Ohakim, the candidate of PDP, who also hails from the same Okigwe Zone with Araraume.
At that time, Okorocha gained from Araraume’s political journey without calling him for a round table meeting, because nature and political luck played into the hands of Okorocha.
However, when it came to that of 2015 election, Okorocha realized the enormity of winning a second term without support from Araraume, and then put the Lion of Ishiebu in the know. I heard both men met and ironed things out, and made promises.
While Araraume assured Okorocha of making available his massive political machine to help in sending him back to Douglas House, Okorocha is alleged to have promised to help Araraume take over from him as he departs in 2019, for either Ogboko or Abuja.
As it stands now, Araraume has delivered on his promise, as Okorocha has won the election. And whether the victory was facilitated by Araraume or not, does not matter. This against the fact that APC lost in Isiala Mbano and in the entire Okigwe zone. But yet Okorocha won other areas.
Therefore, the Million Naira question now is; having delivered on his promise by Araraume, will Okorocha also live on his own words by handing over the seat of Imo Government to Senator Ifeanyichukwu Godwin Araraume in 2019? The answer of this heavy question is in the womb of time.
However, knowing how the mind of every politician works, no person can hand over an office, no matter what office, to a fellow he or she cannot control after leaving the lever of power.
In this case, is it feasible that Okorocha will openly campaign and make Araraume his successor in 2019?
The answer is no. If ever Governor Okorocha did promise Araraume Imo Governorship, it may have occurred at the heat of pressure, and in a desperate urge to retain his office. Therefore, if you ask me, I do not see Okorocha handing over to an Araraume in 2019.
But if really the Governor made such promise, whether he is compliant to working for Araraume for that project to be realized or not, does not matter.
Trust that Araraume will impress it on Okorocha to fulfill his promise for him, by fighting tooth and nail in making sure that that promise comes to fruition, as long as Okorocha has made the promise whether under pressure , or from the bottom of his heart.
Take it or leave it, Araraume has proved in the past years that he is not a man that is scared of political battles, provided he made up his mind for such war.
Therefore, for those who will be around in 2019, expect a titanic political earthquake that will shake the foundation of Imo. For true followers of this Column, all that I predicted on Imo governorship 2015 came to pass. My readers outside Nigeria always draw my attention to them as they unfolded.
Araraume is a strong character, so also is Owelle Rochas Okorocha; though in different hews. Araraume is a man who keeps political promises and does not condone betrayal. But does Okorocha?
When you make promises to Araraume, you better be ready to meet them, or he will retrieve them from you. Therefore, if Okorocha by any chance has promised Araraume 2019 Imo Governorship, for which the Senator marshalled out his foot-soldiers for Okorocha during the last election, he should be set to fulfill the promise. This is the reason Araraume has not left Imo PDP alone since the party botched his Governorship ambition in 2007.
Already, Araraume campaign machine, the Destiny Group has been busy recruiting people into APC.
They have been secretly moving around the Local Government Areas of the State to conscript members. Has anybody asked why Araraume is busy spending his money to bolster APC number in the Sate?
Meanwhile, in a short time Imo people will know truly if the Araraume, Okorocha marriage has been sealed.
This is because soon Okorocha will forward the list of his appointees to the Imo House of Assembly, and we will see how many of Araraume loyalists made the number.
And this will definitely tell Araraume that actually, or not, Okorocha has endorsed the marriage in the political court Registry. And it is after the list of Commissioners and other appointees are out that we will know if Araraume will fully settle down in the marriage with Okorocha and begin to bear political babies.
But should anything go contrary to inspections, the battle lines would be drawn, as Okorocha would know that he has shown his real hand to his friend Araraume, who will then begin to brace up for more treachery to come.
For Araraume, he is a vetran to political disappoints, and has acquired enough shock absorbers to tolerate them. But the only thing is that whoever offers Araraume a dude political cheque never have peace. Udenwa tried it in 2007 and paid for it as he could not produce his successor. PDP tried it in 2015 and their candidate lost.
Taking this argument further away from Araraume and Okorocha; does it look likely that the Governorship of Imo State can go back to Okigwe so soon, when Owerri is yet to Govern the state after eighteen years? Many argue that Owerri has lost its glaring chance by shunning their son, Hon Emeka Ihedioha in the last election.
But deeply inside Okorocha’s mind, would he after spending eight years on the seat, justifiably handover the levers of power to Okigwe Zone?
Me think Okorocha will not. He has blood flowing through his veins, and must place himself and Orlu zone, in the place of Owerri zone in this circumstance before handing over to Okigwe area.
From all indications and permutations, Okorocha has already started mentoring and nurturing those who will take-over from him. And as evidenced in other climes, he will replace himself with his own person, who can be easily called his stooge.
This is the only way Okorocha can go home in 2019 and live happily ever after. Even if he has not thought of that, which I doubt, when his exit date approaches factors and developments around will tell him.
Much as it may look strange to begin to postulate of 2019, when we have not even kick-started 2015, it does not worry to think ahead, after all nobody thought 2015 could be this easily here.
Therefore, since no political victory has ever been delivered on a plate, there is no gain saying the fact that even as we look towards the future, political intrigues will continue to unfold.
If ever Okorocha made promises to Araraume, he knows deep down his heart whether he will fulfill it or not. And the man whom he made the promise is alert, studying if the political cheque can be cashed.
Apart from Araraume who joined APC with fanfare, whose romance with Okorocha is more pronounced, what of the likes of Chief Jerry Chukwueke, who has already started travelling with Okorocha to Economic trips over seas?
Who may have known what promises Okorocha made to him? This game of politics is full of intrigues and horse tradings. For now, what matters to Okorocha is that he has used every trick in and out of the Book to retain his office. What he may not bother much about for now is who he shall hand over because he already has the script written.
On who will succeed him, Okorocha knows. And that fellow will be somebody he can trust, control, who can watch his back, cover his wrong foot steps while his Government lasted, who will fear him, who will be compelled to protect Okorocha, because if he exposes him, he too would be exposed, who will continue his Rescue Mission mantra. Does Araraume fit into this bill?
Now, is it possible that after mentoring Prince Eze Madumere, his PA, later Chief of Staff and now Deputy and confidant of over twenty years, he will substitute him for any other person? Has anybody bothered to ask why Okorocha has painstakingly continued to groom his former Chief of Staff, Sir Jude Ejiogu from one office to the other? What of his youthful son inlaw and now powerful Chief of Staff, Uche Nwosu?
I think, options abound for Okorocha in 2019, but I cannot bet on the Senator Araraume option. But who knows. Let us wait until we get there.
