Unlike my previous political analysis ahead 2015 general elections, last week’s “Baba-Na-Baba 2015 Vibes” generated unprecedented reactions. The comments that surged onto my phone message inbox and Facebook after it was published were interesting.
Before making another sojourn into the remaining suspected contenders for the plum political position in Imo State, permit me to let readers catch a glimpse of the public stake. The reactions are unedited and replicated as sent by contributors. Any body who accesses my Facebook post can also verify these comments.
However, a tinge of drama characterized my essay on the capabilities of those wanting to succeed Owelle Rochas Okorocha in 2015. While I mentioned and concentrated on the frontliners Capt Emma Ihenacho, Senator Sylvester Anyanwu, Chief Barr Bethel Nzimako, Osmond Ukanacho and Uzoma Obiyo, those who contributed to my views opened another discourse by including two prominent citizens of the state and ranking political office holders; Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha and His Excellency, Prince Eze Madumere, MFR, Deputy Speaker, House of Representative and Deputy Governor of Imo State respectively. Even as I mentioned that their rumoured gubernatorial bid may be skewed imagination of 2015 election speculators, the crystal ball of contributors gave an insight that the duo are potential players for the Douglas House race in the next two years. How the contributors arrived with this premature permutation will not be subject of discussion, rather I will throw them up for public assessment.
However, permit me to have a look at those mentioned last week which space inhibited from giving attention. First in the pack is a seasoned politician from Owerri West who few months ago made public his intention to be Imo State Governor. At his Orogwe country home, the lawyer cum politician Bethel Nzimako declared that he has enough potentials to transform Imo State and make it better than what the incumbent is doing.
To those who witnessed the brief but colourful affair, Barr Nzimako is entitled to vie for any position in the land, Nzimako said that his decision to kick-start his campaign from the grassroots was to win the support of his home base before marching out. Several Owerri West politicians especially those of PDP extraction witnessed the declaration. So what is going for Nzimako that would propel him to vie for the Governorship position? Undoubtedly, Nzimako is an old war horse in the system and familiar with the murky waters of gubernatorial contest. As a regular face in the politics of the state since the advent of our nascent democracy, Nzimako became running mate to Senator Ifeanyi Ararume in 2007. Their camp ran a colourful campaign structure that marveled keen observers of political events in the state between 2005 and 2007. It was during that period that schisms erupted in the state chapter of PDP as “Abuja faction” battled “Onongono Group” While Ararume, who Nzimako acted as running mate led the “Abuja faction”, that metamorphosed to Destiny Organization, ex-Governor, Achike Udenwa was the tormentor-in-Chief for the “Onongono Group”.
Despite efforts by “Onongono Group” consisting “Redemption” crusaders of Udenwa to scuttle Ararume/Nzimako ticket, the Destiny Organization team still emerged victorious and were PDP flag bearers for the 2007 Governorship election. How the aggrieved Udenwa’s Onongono Group transferred support to less-fancied PPA for Ikedi Ohakim to emerge victorious as Governor-elect is no longer news.
Nzimako and Ararume never relented to have their mandate as they went to court to seek redress against Ohakim which was futile. At the end, Nzimako queue behind Ohakim when the court cases flopped. However, when Ararume resumed fresh bid for Government House under ACN platform in 2011, his man, Nzimako was in different camp as a PDP stalwart.
The essence of this package is to show that Nzimako, believed to be a Chelsea enthusiast since he nameed his Orogwe-based miniature hotel, after the English club has the pedigree to run the race. Nzimako may count on what is left of the Destiny structure to form veritable campaign machinery. He was not just a “spare tyre” to Ararume during their romance but also forceful in the group. Grapevine sources indicate that he is using the old structure to actualize his dreams. More so, several student bodies and groups have come to identify with his ambition. The fact that he is from Owerri Zone that is clamouring for 2015 Governorship ticket is another boost to his aspiration.
However, there is a pitfall in Nzimako’s ambition. Most observers believe that running for governorship seat is not a mere “athletics event” and those without adequate fund and logistics need not waste their scarce resources. Except “money-bags” or big time spenders are using decoy to strongly back his ambition, his dreams may be utopian and wishful thinking. The 2007 prominence he garnered was the magic of Ararume who piloted the affairs of Destiny campaign.
Irrespective of growing desire for a good candidate to attract votes of the masses during elections, money-politics cannot be divorced from our electoral system as there must be ward and LGA coordinators as well as Directors in charge of several sections of any meaningful campaign structure. It is also a known fact that most politicians and campaign foot soldiers in our locality are jobless and rely on proceeds made during pre-election exercises for survival. Those who do not “shoot-out” cash or fail to have the wherewithal to prosecute an election of such magnitude may suffer setbacks. Let us continue to watch since 2015 still has another year to go.
Imo and Anambra States have similar characteristics when it comes to gubernatorial elections. It has become a common fashion for money-bags and successful business moguls to join the fray for the coveted seat in their respective states. The numbers of rich persons who battled for Anambra guber in the past and the present squad wanting to replace Peter Obi can testify to this fact. Similarly, some persons wanting to succeed Owelle Okorocha in 2015 still reflect same order. At the expiration of Achike Udenwa’s administration, two prominent sons of Imo State and megabucks crooners, Eze Festus Odimegwu and Chief Tony Ezennia of Orange Drug fame declared interest for the Governorship race. They threw in their money into the show and made a razzmatazz of the whole exercise. Another political grandeur is in the offing as two first-timers to the Governorship contest, Osmond Ukanacho and Uzoma Obiyo are certain of joining the 2015 race with cash. Ukanacho is a successful business mogul with vested interest in several sectors. Ahead 2015 election, the Atta-Ikeduru born politician is the lone ranger in Imo State UPP. He has been instrumental to the formation and continued rise of Chekwas Okorie’s UPP in the state. Signals that Ukanacho is hungry for Douglas House emerged with his pet project called Osmond Imo Ukanacho Foundation. He went further to get a befitting party office for UPP after official launching as well as erection of billboards at strategic entrances and exit points of Owerri, the state capital. Ukanacho is also raising a high profile political structure to actualize has ambition.
Also found in this cadre is Uzoma Obiyo, another quintessential gentleman, philanthropists and welfarist who has intense commitment to society and community development. After watching events from the side for a while, Uzoma, another 2015 guber hopeful is packed with money and is good-to-go. Since Tony Ezenia used one of his property to run his campaign office in 2007, the three-storey edifice had remained fallow and overgrown with weeds. But the complex is witnessing a fresh breath as Obiyo prepares ground to be Okorocha’s successor. Obiyo and Ukanacho may be relying on the history that has trailed the emergence of any Imo Governor. Since 1990, favourites for the throne have never made it to the executive seat, rather less attractive aspirants and underdogs always become the eventual winners. The case of Udenwa who came from a distant fourth position to pick PDP ticket before being elected Governor, and Ohakim of unknown PPA against Chief Ugwu, Senator Ararume of PDP and Martin Agbaso of APGA came close to the throne in 2007. What of Okorocha who emerged from the blues to pick the Guber title ahead the two contending forces of 2011 Guber?
While relying on this theory of less-fancied candidates emerging Governor of Imo ahead popular ones, the two-Ikeduru-born businessmen cum politician should be aware that they may be required to play “political apprentice” by making appearances to study the political terrain. They should also be aware of a role in drama or Nollywood movies called “Waka pass” where the actor/actress appears at a scene and disappears immediately. 2015 events will determine if their appearance will be a flash in the pan or mere political gara-gara.
In the case of the aforementioned Ihedioha and Madumere, I will restrict my analysis to avoid being guilty of unwarranted premature permutation. They were dragged into the 2015 guber centre stage by contributors who mentioned their names while reacting to my first epistle on this subject. For Madumere, there is nothing to show that he has dream of succeeding his boss and benefactor of several years, than a terse statement from one Renaissance Group who reacted to a story carried by Trumpeta on Okorocha dumping him for another candidate in 2015. The group gave an indication that Madumere is a potential force not to be dispensed in the present dispensation as he has the magic wand to continue from where he stopped.
Having studied Okorocha over the years as Chief of Staff, Madumere can easily step into Owelle’s shoes to continue the “Rescue Mission” Agenda, Madumere is a chip of the old block who can take over from his “Oga” if he decides not to vie for the position in 2015.
I could remember meeting Madumere in 2005 when he arranged media events for Okorocha. I was privileged to be among the few newsmen who interviewed Okorocha at a structure on Okigwe road. The structure was initially that of a car assembly plant before a church took over. The building now houses a fast food. Okorocha spoke to us on activities of Action Alliance, AA, and it was facilitated by Madumere after he hosted journalists at his new apartment in Ikenegbu. Madumere has won the heart of Okorocha after years of partnership. I am also aware that Madumere is a thoroughbred politician who has cut his teeth in electoral matters. Some years ago, he ran under the AA platform for Owerri Zone Senate, and the history of Agenda political family that worked for the emergence of Okorocha cannot be written without proper accolades to Madumere as the undisputed protagonists. Armed with the Agenda Group support and buoyed by the rosy relationship with the Okorocha family, Madumere is eminently qualified. For finding Madumere worthy as replacement to impeached Judge Agbaso as Deputy Governor among other possibilities, political pundits suggest that Okorocha is positioning Madumere as possible successor after his tenure.
Taking into consideration Okorocha’s pre-campaign one-tenure slogan and the persistent clamour by Owerri Zone people for power shift, Madumere may be the favoured to continue from where the present Imo Governor stopped in 2015, since he is from Owerri Zone. Madumere needs no structures ahead 2015 as the existing government platform would automatically transform to campaign machinery when guber campaigns gain momentum.
However, Madumere’s succession bid may also witness encumbrances. Since the Deputy Governor’s tenure would be an extension of Okorocha’s regime, those uncomfortable with their style and pattern of governance would also kick and resist the continued stay of “Rescue Missionaries” in Douglas House. The opposition attracted by Okorocha’s perceived misdemeanor would intensify arsenal from opponents against any of his successor for the Governorship throne.
I have also found it extremely difficult discussing the rumoured ambition of Ihedioha because on several occasions I had opportunity of interacting with his media aide, that handles affairs at the home front, Chibuike Onyeukwu, he has never disclosed that his principal is warming up for any elective position in 2015. But judging from events at the recent Iriji Mbaise festival and retinue of aides and political associates hanging around the Deputy Speaker, it is certain he may join the fray. Ihedioha needs no introduction. The Mbaise-born lawmaker will enter the history books of the state as one of the lucky National Assembly members that experienced a record three-time tenure in in Abuja. Ihedioha’s political profile has blossomed with the princely position at the Federal level. His ranking seat is an advantage if he wants to join the race as he has widened his political horizon and amassed wealth to prosecute a gubernatorial campaign. There is no doubt that the green-cap wearing lawmaker has not only exhibited tactical finesse in legislative exercise but also excelled in effective constituency representation to ask Imo people for more. The presence of federal projects he attracted to his constituency and beyond is a big plus to do more. His magical wands have attracted political empowerments to several associates. It is these quality attributes that may have resulted to the rumour making the rounds about the Reps Member fresh ambition.
However, Ihedioha’s dream may not witness a smooth sail. Already, formidable groups have risen to challenge his ambition. The sponsored groups who use media attacks to make scathing remarks about his ambition will make real their threat when the battle draws nearer. The fact that Ihedioha has been in the saddle since he picked PDP ticket in 2003 would square him up against stoic believers of the “Mmanu akara di uto, onye ratu ibe ya aratu” (Bean cake is sweet, when you eat, another will also eat) philosophy. The opposition against his ambition will intensify since holding public offices is not his exclusive right. Ihedioha should also consult with his kinsman, Dr Alex Obi who witnessed unprintable verbal attacks because of his Mbaise origin when he vied for the Governorship position in 1991. The blackmail that trailed Obi’s interest was fatal as it demolished his ambition. For now, lets end the discussion and wait for further development before more analysis.
