When the present Democratic dispensation berthed in Imo State in 1999, the Elders then made conscious efforts to place in power, those who have altruistic candour in various positions of importance in the State.
In the process of carrying out this task, many things happened. In the first place, the major political parties then were the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which had Late Chief Innocent Nwoga as its first State Chairman, and was populated mostly with youthful and moderate politicians like Senator Echeruo, Chief Greg Mbadiwe, Dr Nnanna Ukaegbu, Hon Oliver Enwerenem, Chief Charles Ugwu, Chief Rochas Okorocha, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, Bar Humphrey Anumudu, the Ajaelu twin Brothers, , Late Chief Livy Okereafor and others.
There was also the All Peoples Party, APP, with Chief Ifeanyi Araraume as the pioneer State Chairman. In APP then were the political Irokos of Imo State, like Chief Authur Nzeribe, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Chief Evan Enwerem, Dr Ezekiel Izuogu and others.
As the political parties prepared for the first election after the Military had been in office for too many years, there was apathy among the masses because there was this doubt that the Military may not honour the hand-over date, after President Ibrahim Babanginda had taken Nigeria through an endless transition period.
This situation also led many people in the Academia, Corporate World, and other Professionals not to show interest in the “Game of Politics” as they feared then that the entire exercise may end up a hoax, after they may have abandoned their lucrative paying jobs to gamble with politics.
Therefore this created a big opportunity for those who were in business, and even unemployed thousands to see politics as the way out of their idle situation.
Therefore, it was under this scenario, that APP and PDP in Imo began preparations for the elections in 1999.
In PDP and APP, the elites and professionals among them took over the reins of the party structures, with the connivance of some not too educated among them that have funds to sponsor the parties.
Under this scenario, the present Democratic dispensation in Imo nay Nigeria took off.
The PDP, which had more moderate members applied some strategies to woo the masses. Infact, PDP then in Imo could be said not to be rich, as the party had no money Bags like APP that was brimming with money moguls like Iwuanyanwu, Nzeribe, Enwerem, Araraume and others.
Considering various options, which include zoning, the PDP chose to pick its Governorship candidate from Orlu Zone.
The party left out Bar Humphrey Anumudu, who is from a rich family, over-looked Greg Mbadiwe from the legendary Mbadiwe clan of Arondizuogu, ignored youthful Chief Ananyo Rochas Okorocha reeking with enough cash, and settled for a humble, and then unknown Chief Achike Udenwa, an Accountant with MCC.
Meanwhile, having tactically delayed their own primary until PDP unveiled its Governorship candidate, APP followed suit by choosing her candidate from Orlu Zone, in the person of Dr Ezekiel Izuogu, a renowned scientist cum Engineer.
Before the Governorship election, most Imo people, including members of APP had thought the party would sweep the polls because of the Bigmen behind the party. But the world was stunned when an unknown politician then, Chief Achike Udenwa, supported by the determined PDP moderates, won the first Governorship election in Imo in the new political dispensation.
Unfortunately, rather than remain in APP and sustain the party as a strong opposition in the State, all the Big wigs in APP streamed into PDP, and that was how Imo politics got charged till today.
Because the PDP won the Presidency as well, Chiefs Iwuanyanwu, Enwerem, Araraume, Nzeribe abandoned their party, APP and joined the “National Party” PDP, and began to fight for the few positions in PDP, which they see as the easiest means of attaining power.
This was how the current scrambling for political power in Imo State began. This was how the Cross carpeting by Imo politicians, without a feeling of what the people or party will say commenced in Imo.
However, this situation has continued till date, where politicians bother more about getting to office, for what they can acquire for themselves, friends and families, than what they can do for the masses.
More worrisome in Imo State is that these “Early politicians” who used the opportunity of the political apathy in 1999 to have a grip of Imo State to their own ends have refused to release their hands on Imo, even as the young ones are same sprutting out.
It is on record that these gliadors who believe that Imo State belongs to them, while her populace is their guinea pigs, are not yet done, until the taste the highest leadership positions in the State.
From 1999, those who wanted to be Governor are still nursing the same ambition in 2023, because they have nearly all had their turns, leaving just a few of them who also must join their colleagues in ruling Imo State.
During the scramble for power in 1999, Chief Rochas Okorocha, Bar Humphrey Anumudu, Chief Mbadiwe, Chief Achike Udenwa, Chief Ifeanyi Araraume were all there.
Out these men, Achike has had his turn, so also has Okorocha after too many attempts from different political parties.
Chief Greg Mbadiwe seems to have abandoned the ambition after the 1999 attempt. But Chief Humphrey Anumudu has been on the project since then.
Also steady in the race since 1999 is Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, who has continued to try.
However, we must not forget that the present Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma is league with these power mongers
In 2003, Uzodinma challenged then Governor Achike in the Governorship election as the candidate of AD, with Chief Ikedi Ohakim as his Deputy.
In 2007, Uzodinma nearly won the PDP Governorship primary, if not for Araraume’s emergence.
Now, we must also remember that Ohakim who was Uzodinma’s Deputy in 2003 has since been Governor between 2007 to 2011.
So, when discerning minds among Imo people take a deep look into the battle for power in the State they will understand that those angling to be Governor of Imo State have remained a Group of people. While some have succeeded, some are yet to be Tenants of Douglas House. Therefore, the fight continues for them until only God knows when.
The only new kid on the block, who broke into this Group and momentrily shattered their tight hold on Imo for just seven months, was Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha.
And it was no surprise that Ihedioha was fought tooth and Nail by this Group or cabal until they sent him out.
Therefore, when Imo people lament about the issue of Governorship seat in the State, they should ponder a little and realize that while it may look as if it is a Zonal war among the three political zones; Owerri, Orlu, and Okigwe, the hidden fact is that it has remained a battle among these power Brokers who confuse the rest of Imo people.
Therefore, it is true that Imo Governorship since 1999 has been among Uzodinma, Ohakim, Araraume, Udenwa, Anumudu, Okorocha.
Indeed, it is left for Imo people to decide when they have had enough of these people who masquerade as populist politicians to fight over power.
Within this period, we have seen what Udenwa has for the people, Okorocha has done his own, so also Ohakim, and now Hope Uzodinma. We also noted what Ihedioha did in seven months.
Therefore, the one remaining among these gladiators is Ifeanyi Araraume, who is yet to get an opportunity to occupy Douglas House.
From all indications, Imo politics has revolved among these men since 1999 and Imo State cannot be said to have given her optimum best within this period, compared to what has obtained in other neigbouring States.
Even now, Imo is in dilemma, just because of a Senatorial election. The Okigwe Senate election has exposed the same politicians who believe that if not them Imo will not be.
Is it not Governor Hope Uzodinma, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume and Okorocha that are in the ring in Okigwe hitting the Imo polity? The same 1999 people.
Now, Uzodinma as the Governor, has taken the battle to the backyard of Senator Araraume and expect the Ishiebu born Senator to fold his hands and be allowed to be humiliated in his own House?
If it were Gov Uzodinma, would he allow that to happen to him in his own political territory?
Okorocha had to join the fray, not that he loves Araraume, but because of political convenience. The enemy of my enemy, is my friend. Okorocha and his brother, Uzodinma have been in a Dog fight, after Okorocha helped Uzodinma dislodge Ihedioha.
Therefore, the problem facing Imo State now is the Scramble for power by this Cabal who have since 1999 seen Imo State as their Estate, which they take one after the other.
The Okigwe battle is all about Imo State in 2023.
There are indications that Araraume may vie for Governorship again in 2023 at least to be at per with his contemporaries. And if that happens, it means he will do battle with Uzodinma, who is still struggling to have a grip of APC structure in Imo.
It means that if Araraume heads to the Senate now, he will remain relevant till 2023. And this is bad news to Uzodinma who wants to be in office for Eight years.
Therefore if the combination of Araraume, and Okorocha subdue Uzodinma now at the Okigwe battle front it means that Okorocha who has Uzodinma to contend with in Orlu Zone in 2023 will have some respect.
Unfortunately, while these Bigmen duel over their ambitions, Imo State remains under tension and suffers for the ambition of a few men. Do you understand now?
