Since this week, some Journalists in Imo State have been living by watching their backs. This was not be as a fault of theirs, but when “overtake take overtake” everybody must be alert. One Publisher in the State had reported about threats to his life, while as usual, Trumpeta Publishers have been living on edge following a barrage of calls and intimidation from “anonymous callers” whose sources we are aware of.
You may ask, what brought this Gestapo reign and fear among the Journalists? On Friday, August 29, 2016, immediately after the Okigwe Senatorial rerun election, the Executive Governor of Imo State Owelle Rochas Okorocha had requested to see Media Men to brief them on the out-come of the election and about other serious issues in the State.
The briefing took place in his palatial residence, at Spibat Estate, Owerri. The Media conference was convivial, and the Governor exuted power and excellence, surrounded by his Aides, and was prompt to time; 7am.
As usual, after the briefing, everybody trooped out, including the Journalists who ran to their offices to beat the News deadline, while others sought for the angles to write the story to merit the eyes of the readers.
The next day, the stories started pouring out with various Newspapers taking their captions from various angles. In the end, four Newspapers in Imo State; Namely TRUMPETA, THE BIG TRUTH, CITY STAR AND NEWSBLAST choose to pursue the angle that has to do with 2019 Imo Governorship election with the captions slightly different “Araraume cannot be Governor” “Araraume cannot succeed me” “Why Ohakim, Araraume cannot be Governor” etc.
Hardly had these captions hit the news stands than the Chief Press Secretary CPS to the Governor put up a refutal, denying that his Boss never mentioned Araraume through out the press briefing, and therefore accused the Newspapers that carried the stories of mischief.
Since then, these Newspapers who wrote the stories have sworn that the Imo State Chief Executive did say that. And Okorocha’s Media men said he did not say it. Not even that he was misquoted. But he said it.
Now the big question; what is the big deal about Senator Araraume’s Governorship ambition in 2019 that the Governor is dodgy to comment on the issue, whether for or against, to the extent that he denied ever mentioning Araraume’s name?
Is this not the fearless Owelle Rochas Okorocha we know? The man who walked where Angels dared? Okorocha who has killed god fatherism in Imo State? Okorocha who bestrodes Imo State like a colossus? Why the quickness in refuting this Araraume “Freudian slip”?
The seriousness and fierce rebuttal from Imo Government House against the Newspapers that carried the story showed fear in the voice of those delivering the messages. A particular Publisher was told that if he does not refute the piece he would not only be arrested, but have his office closed down, for writing a news story in a Democracy?
In this circumstance, what is this Araraume persona that has led Okorocha men show panic, for the Governor not mentioning or mentioning a name? This writer is not ready to explain or prove whether Okorocha mentioned Araraume in the course of the press briefing, until the time comes.
But let me say that, there is no how four Newspapers can carry a particular News story, and some body some where says it was fabricated. It is also easy to investigate these Media Houses, and find out their philosophies. And only a quack Journalist can quote a speaker when he was not present at the briefing. At least, I was physically there at Spibat.
But the truth of the matter is that whether Okorocha really mentioned Araraume’s name or not, I assume that there has never been any time Senator Ifeanyi Araraume is banking on Owelle Rochas Okorocha to get the ticket of any political party to run for Imo Governorship election in 2019 and succeed the Ogboko born politician; that is if Araraume is even interested in the project.
Sometime ago, the Governor had gathered Journalists as usual, where he also told them that his successor will be of younger age, not more than fifty years. That outing also caused ripples and fierce reactions from Government House, immediately the stories began hiting the News stands.
Therefore, without consulting Soothsayers, experienced politicians eyeing Imo Governorship seat in 2019 can predict how the mind of the incumbent Executive Governor is already working towards who succeeds him in 2019. In other words, there is no need massaging Araraume’s confidence by Imo Governor, as the Isiala Mbano political titan has acquired enough experience in his numerous political battles, to know where his bread is buttered in any political war.
From my studies, Araraume has closed the chapter of his 2015 electoral romance with Okorocha, with the son, Ifeanyi Junior, made a Commissioner. Infact the youngest Commissioner in the Southeast if not in the federation.
With this done, Araraume has moved on, and has even been nominated Commissioner in the National Communication Commission (NCC). And this was even without the input and consent of his Governor, Owelle Okorocha. Knowing what the taciturn Lion of Ishiebu can do, he is keeping all his plans to his chest, and when the time comes, those who reported the Spidat revelation will by the grace of God, be alive to record the events of 2019.
Following the empirical study of Okorocha’s brand of politics, it will be contrary to his political permutations to see him give Araraume the All Progressive Congress, APC, Governorship ticket after his son, Ifeanyi (Jnr) had served as a Commissioner.
Therefore, it is assumed that whatever was Araraume’s contributions to Okorocha’s reelection in 2015, has been compensated with the Commissioner slot handed to his son and Araraume knows that.
This is the reason the Senator has focused more attention at the national level than running around Okorocha in Imo State. Therefore, if Araraume is gunning for Imo Governorship election under APC in 2019, he certainly will do that from Abuja, with the support and say-so of the big men of the party, from the hierarchy.
Under this circumstance, it will be a battle between Okorocha, who would be doing his “last fight” to install a successor, that will protect his back while he is gone, and Araraume with the support of the Abuja Lot. This is the period Imo people will know how strong the foundation of APC is in the State, and how loyal its followers are to the out-going Governor then.
Therefore, I appeal that the Imo State Government, particularly those in Government House, should leave Journalists in the State out of this battle ahead and not use Media Houses as a decoy and shield. Whether misquoted, Freudian slip or out-right fabrication, Imo Journalists should not be grouped into this emerging scenario.
What is certain is that Araraume is a fighter and his imprimatur has also been written on the failure of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Imo State from capturing the Governorship seat since 2007 Chief Ikedi Ohakim won it through Peoples Progressive Alliance PPA.
Of course to the PDP, it is now a relieve that its nemesis, Araraume, has moved on to join the APC. It is now Okoroch’s headache, how to cage Araraume in 2019 and hoist his successor, if the Senator is interested in the position.
Looking at Imo APC as presently constituted, the party is under the tight grip of Okorocha as the only Cock that crows, unlike in PDP where there are uncountable heavy weights.
Last time, Okorocha was able to corner the party’s Governorship ticket, and still went to APC National Convention to try his hands on the Presidential ticket.
Then, he was the alpha and omega of the party. But from next year, Okorocha will be shocked with the open confrontations and challenges he will witness within APC. The reason is that as he gets closer to the exit door, his powers wane and his followers will begin to look up to another messiah. That messiah in Imo APC is Ifeanyi Araraume who, if he is interested in the Governor ship, knows that the closest chance he has to achieve his long term dream to Governing Imo State is in APC and may be the last chance as age is knocking on the door.
For those who have worked with Araraume, he pours every thing he has into the bucket for his target, and does not take political prisoners, just like Okorocha. It will be very interesting to be a spectator when this game kicks off from next year.
From experience of having worked with a Governor before, it is usually easy for a person to be made Governor, hard to make second team, and hardest to foist a successor. However, it is usually no contest if the out-going Governor carried all party men along and ready to spend stupendously to put a successor. It is also easy if he or she does not have strong elements within the party who are interested in putting in another candidate, other than that person presented by the incumbent.
In the case of Imo State, Okorocha has been able to supplant APC members, that you wonder if these are members of the ruling party that controls the State funds. Therefore, there is not a single fellow in Imo APC today that can muster the financial muscle to be Okorocha’s successor without his approval.
But apart from Senator Araraume and relatively, Senator Osita Izunaso, no other person can challenge Okorocha on this score.
Luckily, the Governor has made it clear that he does not subscribe to zoning, saying only the best is good for Imo, no matter where he or she comes from.
Araraume is the only person that can raise a voice in Imo APC, either to contest for the Governorship, or sponsor a candidate. He still has a deep pocket, contacts intact, still oiling his Destiny Organization campaign machine and has an open hand to give and executes political projects to its conclusive end, without minding whose ox is gored.
Therefore, if Araraume takes the dexterity with which he tormented PDP to APC, mere refutal and shifting of blame to poor Journalists will be more hearsay and abandoning of responsibility and not keeping to agreement by certain people.
Unfortunately, you don’t give Araraume a promise without keeping it. Because either he opens your hands and collects it or you be ready to keep the promise.
In 2007, when Araraume was denied of the PDP ticket, he fought till the Supreme Court and still remained PDP Governorship candidate, but lost to his brother, Ikedi Ohakim who contested under PPA, with the backing of most PDP chieftains in the State. But Araraume contested.
Therefore, if there was any person that made a promise to the Senator about 2019 in APC, that fellow must be ready to keep to it, or the situation will be so interesting.
Meanwhile, it would not be against political permutations if APC loses Imo Governorship election in 2019, over major implosion within the party, coupled with some of the policies seen as anti-people. Therefore, the party will have its litmus test in 2018 when the issue of who succeeds Okorocha will rear its head.
Nothing is iron-cast in politics. Has anybody thought of what would happen, if Okorocha sticks on a candidate and the “Abuja Politicians” among the Imo APC get the ear of the party hierarchy in Abuja to produce a winnable candidate for APC since party is Supreme?
Have you thought what Okorocha would do in such a circumstance? Remain in APC and go on with the party decision of allowing him not to make input on his own successor? Move to another political party with his followers and try to hoist a successor?
This is why politicians are always on the political laboratory watching developments and dishing out fresh strategies. As life is unpredictable so also is politics. No one knows it all. That is the truth of life.
