Politics is a game. That is why many use the word “playing” to qualify political activities. In other words, whatever that could be applied to win, without the referee noticing, is allowed.
Infact, in politics nearly all the “players” adopt various methods to outwit each other, but whoever “out-foxes” the rest carries the day.
This quite defines why Chief Emma Nwogu, a former Chairman of Ngor Okpala LGA always tells us that politics is not a Church.
Hon ThankGod Ezeani told me that politics is a game of conspiracy. Therefore, it means puritans should stay away from politics. Did Diego Maradona not score a goal in a World Cup with hand? Rather than condemn himself, he called it the “Hand of God” as the goal was counted because the Referee was fooled.
If there is any man who has studied the “Political Psychology” of Imo people, it is the present Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha. He takes no prisoners in political battles. What matters is that goals must be scored, provided they enter the post, and Referee records them.
From the look of things now, it seems Okorocha is done with “playing” politics with Imo people, as there is nothing to “play” again, since elections are over for him as far as Imo Governorship seat is concerned.
Okorocha can only get involved in Imo Governorship position again only if he wants to foist a successor; and that is in 2019. But for him, it is over because he would have rounded off his mandatory Eight years two terms in 2019.
Governor Okorocha has used his study of Imo political psychology to get what he wants from the voting masses.
Between 2011 and now, Okorocha successfully exploited the character of average voter in the State to his successes in the pools, by doing and saying those things the gullible electorate, which are in majority want.
However, the Ogboko born political tactician also used the few elites, who may have thought that they were getting even at their perceived enemies, not knowing they had become captives of Okorocha political laboratory.
In 2011, Imo State was under a PDP administration, led by Chief Ikedi Ohakim. Because of the weight of heavyweights within the party, Imo PDP wanted to bust from the seams, because demands of few Imo PDP political elites were heavier than that of the entire grassroots, who are greater in number.
Believing that the best option to reach the State Coffers was to embrace a new Pharaoh who knows no Joseph, Ohakim was Sabotaged.
Luckily for Owelle Okorocha, he became the arrow head of these disgruntled PDP elites, who revolted against their party.
To get at the heart of Imo populace, Okorocha, an orator and political combatant, seized the opportunity and made good use of it. Sensing that the masses saw PDP as elitist and far from touch with the masses, Okorocha during the campaigns ate corn, drove Keke and worshipped in churches every Sunday.
At a stage, he emblazoned his picture with that of the President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, to the chagrin of the PDP. But shockingly, the Presidency could not react to the aberration of an APGA Governorship candidate, joining his picture with that of a PDP Presidential candidate.
Strangely too, APGA hierarchy did not raise a finger against Okorocha. The refrain from the party was; after all we are not fielding a Presidential Candidate.
These strange strategies worked for Okorocha against the PDP as he won that election. On assumption of office, Okorocha became too busy dismantling everything that could leave a trace to PDP legacies in the State.
But the clincher was that he told Imo people that he would stay in office just for four years, as he was on Rescue Mission.
Do you know what? This kite- flying led PDP members from Owerri Zone who were ambitious for the 2015 election to join hand to dislodge the incumbent, who is from Okigwe zone.
The idea was that if Ohakim wins in 2011, it will delay the Owerri turn, therefore it was better for Okorocha to be Governor, since he will quit just after a term.
For political expediency, Okorocha introduced many policies which endeared him into the hearts of Imo people. But what the masses did not realize was that as a political Game Master who knows Imo people well, Okorocha introduced those policies, with his eyes on second term, while the masses thought otherwise.
He wrought a heavy blow on the PDP by first of all, disorganizing the Legislative arm of Government, which PDP had in control, having lost the Executive. But it was shocking when the majority of PDP lawmakers cross-carpeted to the APGA. Even Benji Uwajumogu, the then Speaker was of PDP stock.
Having gotten hold of the Legislature, other things can now follow, because without the House promulgating and approving most of the laws, the Executive Arm cannot function properly.
Therefore, that was how Community Government Council CGC was born. Many saw the CGC then as a sham, but Okorocha used it to penetrate the communities who took the exercise seriously.
Without the CGC, the All Progressive Congress APC would not have made any impact in the last election in Imo State. Christian Mothers and Fathers, Presidents General of Communities, PGs, Nzes, Chiefs and Traditional Rulers queued behind the CGC. But unfortunately, Okorocha has finished with the contraption, and it has to go, and now the CGCs are dissolved.
Okorocha played heavy politics with the 25,000 Imo Youths Must Work Programme.
Even though the programme was a fluke, as none of the Youths got employment letters, they were happy to be busy and getting (N20,000) twenty thousand every month.
Okorocha used the programme to diminish the Ohakim 10,000 thousand Graduates employment scheme, which was more authentic and well organized, with the beneficiaries issued employment letters and graded by Civil Service Rule.
But unfortunately, the Youths were paid- off on Wednesday and told to go home and wait for further instruction. A polite way of telling an applicant that all is over.
However, the Imo Youths Must Work has finished programme its job. It was set up for campaigns and was an election promise, which facilitated the Youth Support base for Okorocha for 2015. Politics is a game.
Many communities in the State are still wondering what will happen to their autonomous status, as Government has announced that it will prone down the number of autonomous communities in the State, as they are unwieldy. Are the communities surprised? They seem to have forgotten that politics is a game.
When ENTRACO stormed Owerri some time ago, with outrageous demolitions that gave no damn, many people wondered aloud. Why? Demolition of illegal structures was one of the “sins” of the PDP Government, which added to its electoral woes in 2011 polls. So, why would Okorocha Government which allowed shanties previously suddenly wake up now and begin to demolish houses?
Time for politics is over. The time for realities is now, and sentiments are gone, as the voters owe the incumbent administration no debt, as all the electoral cheques were cashed in the last election.
Following how Okorocha has reduced the political fortunes of those around him, while he glows politically every day, many had thought that PDP members would rather they stayed back in their party, where they could be given some elements of recognition, no matter how small.
But Okorocha like in 2011, invaded PDP in 2015 and still went away with big catches. Among them was Senator Ifeanyi Araraume who facilitated a greater decimation of the PDP before the Governorship election.
How Okorocha “cornered” somebody like Jerry Chukwueke still remains a mystery. Forget about Bar Rex Anunobi, Bar Kingsley Onunuju, Dr Vitalis Ajumbe, Chief Charles Amadi and their co travellers. Imo people know them.
Ararume, we also know could have been easily enticed by Okorocha, because he was already aggrieved with the outcome of the PDP primaries.
The one that baffled Bookmakers was the “capture” of the Awaka born, Jerry Chukwueke. Among all the PDP Governorship Aspirants, Jerry Chukwueke spent tones of Naira to reinvigorate the PDP and was instantly crowned “The Great Mobilizer”.
At each stop of his “Mobilization” tour, Owelle Rochas Okorocha dominated the stages, as Chukwueke spared nothing in lampooning Okorocha and what he represented. But Alas, both are now political twins. Politics is a game in deed!
Meanwhile, as Okorocha approaches the evening of his politicking with Imo masses with the dissolution of the various “Election and Campaign Creations”, we appeal that he now focuses on Governance squarely. There is no room for grandstanding, as Imo people have seen clearly how things are shaping and do not need any gimmickry again. Whether anybody likes it or not Owelle Okorocha has proved he is the master of “Brain Politics”, as Imo masses look on bemused like cornered Sheep.
Without mincing words, Okorocha has “played” PDP twice. First in 2011 and in 2015. Politics as we earlier stated, is a game. He has played them out rightly.
However, when a footballer dribbles its own team mates and scores, it is usually recorded as a goal, but only called “own-goal”, to distinguish it from that scored by the opponent.
Okorocha must avoid scoring an own-goal, by deluding himself that since he outwitted PDP twice, he could do it the third time.
From history, Okorocha builds every political party he belongs to around him. He did it in Action Alliance AA, he did in APGA, and he is doing it now in APC.
APC is virtually dead in Imo, even as the ruling party that ought to have heat up the political environment. There is no difference between the party and Government. No authority talks to him from Imo APC because he is the Lord. Much as PDP is accused of impunity and “chop alone”, but at least Party Chairmen are allowed free hands to operate. No PDP governor can rule Imo State four five months without commissioners. But where are APC Officers? When PDP was in office, the party officers enjoyed Government booty. After four years, APC party officers have nothing to show, which affects them and those around them, including the communities they come from.
Will Imo APC die after Okorocha, just like APGA after his 2011 triumph?
