As underground political schemings intensify for 2015 general election, one area that will generate interest is Imo North Senatorial Zone, otherwise known Okigwe District, where political gladiators are warming up to for the Upper National Assembly job.
In the last count, a reasonable number of aspirants are reported to be oiling their political machinery for the task ahead. To erase doubt about the 2015 quest, some have declared their intentions while others are raising platforms and making aggressive consultations with constituents through subterranean means.
One of the persons reported to be eyeing the Senatorial Seat is the Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly and member representing Ihitte/Uboma State Constituency, Rt Hon Ben Uwajumogu. Though, the Imo Speaker has not made his intentions public but judging from his on going political maneuver in the zone, there are indications that he would step into the shoes when it becomes vacant in 2015. Like I stated in earlier commentary of Imo Assembly members and their next political destinations, I did mention that the Honourable Speaker who is popularly identified with the Odokaraomee Chieftaincy title may not wish to make a second missionary journey to the state legislature. In Uwajumogu’s Ihitte/Uboma constituency, the principle of rotation is sacrosanct since Nigeria’s nascent democracy debuted. And the rotatory sharing of power is observed between Uboma and Ihitte Clans. From the days of Honourables Mark Uchendu of Uboma (1999-2003), Greg Owuamalam (2003-2007) of Ihitte and Uboma’s Rt Hon Jonas Okeke (2007-2011), the rotatory policy has been a reoccurring decimal. If second missionary journey to the state legislature was allowed, Okeke who was Deputy Speaker in the last dispensation would have had another chance for second round because of his relationship with PDP kingmakers of that era. Expectedly, Uwajumogu who is from Ihitte Clan will give way to an Uboma candidate in 2015. Therefore, to be relevant in the political system, the present Speaker of Imo House will look beyond Ihitte/Uboma in 2015 for any elective position. Since Hon Francis Amadiegwu who is also from Ihitte/Uboma took the share for Uwajumogu’s constituency, Chief Emeka Nwajuba and the incumbent, Prof Uwazuruike covering for Ehime Mbano, only Obowo is not captured in the share of Okigwe South Federal Constituency, made up of Ihitte/Uboma, Obowo and Ehime Mbano LGAs. Therefore, Uwajumogu will not attempt to deny Obowo the deserved change in 2015.
Based on his rising profile as the perceived political leader of Okigwe zone for those in Okorocha’s APGA-APC Camp, if his ranking number three position in the state is to be reckoned with, Uwajumogu is a qualified candidate for the upper National Assembly in Abuja. It will not be difficult for Uwajumogu to get the needed support base for the elevated seat. The Speaker is unarguably an oracle who has assumed a cult figure in Okorocha’s administration. The rosy relationship between the State Legislature and Executive in the usual win-win affair has raised the pedestal for Uwajumogu to make higher attempts. Apparently aware of this onerous task, Uwajumogu is strongly behind the formation of a political platform known as the Okigwe Peoples Political Movement (OPPM) where his lieutenants and new political soul mates are directly incharge.
The OPPM has been embarking on aggressive grassroots mobilization and sensitization four ahead 2015 election. There is no electoral ward that has no feel of the Speaker’s OPPM structure in Okigwe Zone. The political machinery is only waiting for INEC go-ahead to enter full throttle for Uwajumogu’s Senatorial bid request.
One fact that would seriously work against Uwajumogu is his Okigwe South Federal Constituency descent. I stand to be corrected to state that charter of equity exists in Okigwe Zone Senatorial contest since our nascent democracy debuted. The seat is hared between Okigwe South Federal Constituency and Okigwe North Federal Constituency comprising, Isiala Mbano, Onuimo and Okigwe LGAs. Senator Ifeanyi Ararume of Okigwe North occupied the Seat for two terms from 1999 to 2007. Senator Ararume is from Isiala Mbano in Okigwe North Federal Constituency. It became the turn of Okigwe South where Senator Sylvester Anyanwu from Obowo took over. His kinsman, and incumbent, Ambassador Matthew Nwagwu came in to complete the two-term of Okigwe South. By 2015, the position will automatically be for Okigwe North again.
Again, Okigwe Zone has three blocks, namely; Etiti, Mbano and Okigwe. Despite the two federal constituencies, the three blocks have natural socio-political and cultural trademarks to distinguish itself in the zone. Since most political issues and allocations in Okigwe respect the interest of the three Clans, the 2015 Senate election will not be an exception. If the Okigwe zone’s three-block sharing formula is anything to go by, the position may go beyond Uwajumogu since Okigwe LGA has not tasted the Senatorial position. While Ararume enjoyed that of Mbano, Anyanwu and Nwagwu covered up for Etiti under 2-tenure system.
Following this political arithmetic of zoning and respect to block sharing, some politicians of Okigwe block extraction have declared interests to become the next Okigwe “man in Abuja”. Leading the pack is a seasoned politician and old war horse in election race, Prof Nnamdi Obiaraeri. Prof Obiaraeri has been constant like the Northern star in Imo politics. The learned Professor of Law at the Imo State University remains one of the few lucky politicians who enjoyed political empowerment until 2011 when Okorocha took over power.
The flamboyant and youthful professor benefited immensely from the coming into power of kinsman and former Deputy Governor of Imo State, Ebere Udeagu. Both are from Ihube town in Okigwe LGA. Obiaraeri had a steady rise from one position to another till he became a Commissioner for Youth and Sports in the successive Ikedi Ohakim government.
Towards the last dispensation when he was dropped as Commissioner, Obiaraeri eyed the Okigwe North Federal Constituency seat under PDP platform. He was warming up for the primaries before some powerful forces within the PDP family requested him to lie low for the sake of another favoured candidate, Chief Chikwem Onuoha who emerged the party’s flagbearer but lost out in the final polls.
The stage is now set for Prof Obiaraeri as party encumbrances experienced in the past will no longer pose problems and the forces that put paid to his elective ambition may not be reckoned with in the emerging political scenario. Prof Obiaraeri is a household name in Okigwe politics and his several years of intensive politicking within the zone is a major boost. The university don who still enjoys a rosy relationship with his benefactor, Ebere Udeagu may use the old roots of a political appointee to raise campaign structure. As an antidote to Uwajumogu’s high riding OPPM, Prof Obiaraeri has reportedly joined camps with other Okigwe leaders of diverse opinion to form Okigwe People’s Forum (OPF). The OPF is another socio-political outfit meant to further the interest of the sect and a counter-force to the OPPM.
The lawyer cum politician also has the advantage of coming from the Okigwe North Federal Constituency and Okigwe Clan that may be favoured in the arrangement for the Senatorial ticket come 2015.
Working against Prof Obiaraeri is the belief in some quarters that he may not be disposed to becoming a spent thrift, an act associated with politicking of that magnitude. Considering Prof Obiaraeri’s suspected teacher-like approach to issues, observers of Okigwe Zone politics are of the opinion that he would be conscious of gambling with his hard earned money for an inclement exercise like party primaries and election. As a professional, Obiaraeri would not be a victim of political vampires waiting in the wings to suck dry unsuspecting public office seekers their money in a bid to get masses support and backing.
Though a vibrant and youthful politician rearing to go, Prof Obiareri may encounter obstacles from new emerging political forces in the zone willing to send packing political actors who have held the stage in the past. As a chip of the old block in PDP family, formidable APGA, APC and new parties will give him a run for his money in the 2015 Senatorial race.
Another prominent aspirant creating waves in the struggle for Okigwe zone senate seat is Chief Engineer Patrick Chinwuba Ndubueze. A philanthropist per excellence and grassroots motivator, Ndubueze is also not a new name in Okigwe zone politics as he was elected member of the House of Reps in 1991 under defunct NRC. Though it was shortlived no thanks to the Abacha Military Junta but the civil engineer with considerable interest in road construction and importation has shown intimidating signals that he is not a joker in the pack as his name is new to modern day big time politics in the state.
Apparently aware of the numerous tasks ahead, Ndubueze has commenced early search for the Okigwe Zone Senatorial ticket as he has toured the six LGAs for backing and endorsement. The Chief executive of NEIC, a construction firm handling several federal government projects has also visited traditional rulers and sought the blessing of leaders of thought for 2015. As a PDP stalwart, the Umualum Okigwe born politician is energizing all the LGA PDP chapters and got a befitting party secretariat at Okigwe town ahead Senate 2015 battle. His is not the “chop alone” type as his altruistic gestures can also be felt at the home front. Apart from empowerment philanthropy, Ndubueze is building a Catholic Church in his Umualum Community, Okigwe. There is no gain saying in the fact that the wave-creating engineer who will also be a beneficiary of the Okigwe Block and Okigwe North Federal Constituency fair play will pose a threat to other contenders for the Abuja job.
Returning to the murky political terrain after 20 years, Ndubueze will surely experience brushes on the way to the National Assembly. He will experience the bitter pill of local politics and the inglorious intrigues that characterize zonal elections. Since Ndubueze remembered that it is when he wants to vie for an elective position that his darling party would benefit from his largesse, those who kept the flag flying and ensured that the “Umbrella is intact and not licking all these years” may prove to be the real owners of the party thereby becoming a stumbling block to his ambition.
After an eventful two tenures in the Lower Chamber of the National Assembly, Hon (Sir) Matthew Omegara (KSM) is reported to be aiming higher again. A consummate lawyer with knack for success, Hon Omegara wants to extend the luck that took him to the House of Reps back-to-back. That luck is making him to join the fray for the Senatorial bid. Having garnered enough legislative experience, the Onuimo-born lawmaker who will also benefit from the supposed charter of equity is still maintaining his campaign outfit for another electoral battle in 2015. Expectedly, the serving member for Okigwe North Federal Constituency has began consultation and mobilization of fresh supporters.
Even as Omegara’s two tenures have enriched his pocket to bankroll another contest of such magnitude, the platform of choice for the election will be his greatest albatross. Omegara came into power with ACN ticket. Taking into consideration the gradual demise of the party that had merged with two others to from APC and in view of the fact that Omegara is not a force to reckon with in the new APC stronghold at the home front, grabbing a ticket would be a Herculean task. More so, opponents would tell him that available elective positions in the federal constituency and the zone are not his birthright to “colonise” it for 12 years. Since “mmanu akara di uto onye ratu, ibe ya aratu” (bean cake sauce is sweet, when you take, I take) is a popular slogan in Imo politics, it would be difficult for Omegara to scale another hurdle for elective position.
He is popularly known as One-hand General in social and political circle, but Chief Athan Achonu wants to make a bold statement ahead 2015. The multi-millionaire businessman and philanthropist want to change gear and become a Senator. Instead of playing the usual heavyweight backer and party leader which has been his trademark, Achonu is eyeing the Senatorial Seat of Okigwe Zone. Said to be loaded with cash for the position, Achonu has commenced consultation and informed those who care to listen that he is in the race. As an exposed entrepreneur with wide and national contacts, One-hand General may rely on his high network and relationship with influential individuals and powers that be in PDP to get the ticket since anything can happen in intra-party politicking. But the Ehime Mbano business mogul should watch it and “shine his eyes well well” before sinking his fund into the project for “political wolves to devour”. The Etiti, Mbano and Okigwe block sharing and Okigwe North and South Fed Constituency rotatory formula will work against him even as it is learnt that some prominent leaders from his area are reported to be opposed to his bid. Besides, a section of Okigwe masses are strongly against the revered leader transcending from his upscale status as a leader of thought to occupy an elective position. Chief Achonu will gird his loins to conclude the fight in 2015. As usual, we shall keep our fingers crossed and watch further developments in Okigwe Zone.
