By chibuike onyeukwu
Even though he is yet to declare any intention to contest the governorship of Imo State in 2015, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, deputy speaker of the House of Representatives seems to have become the issue as far as contending with incumbent governor Rochas Okorocha for the plum job is concerned. Ndubuisi Ugah in this report measures up both men and submits that the race ahead will not be an easy ride for either.
Owelle Rochas Okorocha rode into public consciousness over two decades ago mainly through his philanthropic works and botched attempts to become president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. So when he ‘stooped’ to contest the governorship of Imo State in 2011, not a few knew that the then incumbent Chief Ikedi Ohakim, who was also seeking re-election, was in for a tough political battle. Eventually, large-scale dissatisfaction with the PDP government of Ohakim and the popularity of Okorocha denied the former another term in office, even if it took a supplementary election for the electoral contest to be finally settled.
Riding on that popularity and the victory of defeating an incumbent, Governor Rochas who won on the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) which he has now abandoned for the mega-opposition party, the All Progress Congress (APC), instantly became the toast of Imolites. But with less than two years into another election year, the reality of another political contest on the field is staring the governor on the face. While he is still popular among some segments of the Imo people and continues to embark on some people-oriented programmes and policies, the largely speculated governorship ambition of Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, is said to be giving Owelle Okorocha goose pimples. Several factors are at play here for both men: performance; the geo-politics of Imo State; as well as party platforms among others are issues that cannot be wished away in considering the strengths and weaknesses of both men.
Take geo-politics of Imo State for instance, Owerri zone where Ihedioha comes from is laying a strong claim to the governorship because it has not enjoyed the seat since the current democratic dispensation. Between 1999 and 2003, it was Orlu zone, represented by Chief Achike Udenwa. He was succeeded by Ohakim from Okigwe zone who unfortunately could not do two terms before he was booted out by Okorocha from Orlu thereby making the cry of political marginalisation from Owerri zone louder. Political pundits say this may be to the advantage of the deputy speaker while it may be a disincentive for Owelle’s second term bid.
Another factor going for him is that Ihedioha is well loved and courted among the elite in Imo State. He has played and continues to play in top political circles since 1999 when the Udenwa administration succeeded the military sole administrator-ship. He was also prominent in the mix that threw up Ohakim as governor in 2007 on the platform of the Progressive Peoples’ Alliance (PPA) before the much expected mass movement back into the PDP mid-way into his term in office. Although, Ohakim and the PDP lost the bid for re-election in 2011 to incumbent governor Rochas Okorocha, Ihedioha is known to have shown respect and restraint in relating with the man at the helms of affairs currently. He is thus noted for playing politics of maturity especially with respect to the incumbent Rochas Okorocha administration..
But more significantly, Ihedioha’s connection with and popularity among the generality of Imolites relates to the myriad of people-oriented projects and programmes he has used his office as federal lawmaker to attract to Imo State. The N21.4bn Owerri- Elele road project for which he has consistently influenced budgetary provision in the federal budget in the last two years is a mammoth infrastructural project credited to the deputy speaker. There is also the 59km Mbaise Ring Road ambitious project that runs through the three local government areas of Mbaise with the first phase put at N6.178billion, already ongoing.
Other ambitious infrastructural projects attracted to Imo State by Ihedioha include: The ongoing N6.4billion Okpala-Igurita road; the injection sub-station at Okpala (ongoing); jetty projects at Owerrinta; 33/132KVA sub-station electricity project at Aboh Mbaise; planned rehabilitation of two major roads in the state: Owerri-Umuahia/Owerri-Okigwe roads respectively; and the Ahiara Roundabout with accompanying spurs from Enyiogugu to Aboh and Nkwogwu to Amuzi jointly awarded for N4.2billion and being done by Zerock is a project also credited to Ihedioha.
Significantly also, the N5.3billion Nsiweke-Onucha-Mboma road in Okigwe zone, is a project of huge magnitude for which no politician in Imo state can boast of just as the important 13km Douglas Link Road connecting six communities from Nguru through Ibeku through Umuhu through Mbutu and Uvuru is being done by the federal government through the committed efforts of Ihedioha. The Chokoneze-Ife road in Ezinihitte Mbaise is 50% complete through the efforts of the deputy speaker in addition to many other infrastructure projects across Imo state which can be credited to the indefatigable Ihedioha.
In terms of skills acquisition and capacity-building and development, Ihedioha has undertaken obviously the most ambitious empowerment project by any government official. 700 youths and women in the first phase and another 500 individuals were trained and thereafter given kick-off grants to start off on their learned trades.
These landmark projects and programmes Ihedioha has been able to attract to his constituency and indeed, the entire Imo state informed a recent spotlight on the national network of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) describing Ihedioha’s activities thus: “The quality of representation he gives his constituency can be described as innovative and productive. The deputy Speaker has been able to bring Democracy to the people in tangible form. Specifically, he successfully attracted Federal Projects and other forms of Political Patronages to citizens of Imo State as well as institutions based in the State.” The radio network broadcast the spotlight as part of its appreciation of some projects attracted to the Owerri station of the FRCN which included procurement of an 18-seater Toyota vehicle, Installation of 200KVA Generator; and acquisition of eight units of desktop computers and laserJet printers, respectively; Installation of internet facility; rehabilitation of the access road to the station and installation of eight units of two-horse power air conditioners; and procurement of digital recorders.
According to the FRCN broadcast, “the point to note in the philosophy behind these projects and patronages generated by the Office of the Deputy Speaker is that they are sited and dispensed without discrimination. The only credential to qualify as a beneficiary is for an organisation, individual or group to fall into the target bracket of such projects; the benefiting entity’s state of origin or social status are inconsequential. In spite of the huge resources being expended, these projects were undertaken, completed and dispensed without fanfare. It is pertinent to note that the Deputy Speaker’s intervention is taking place where life seemingly works against the norm.
“The lessons to learn from these projects include that love; otherwise called compassion should be at the heart of all actions. It has also redefined politics which unfortunately assumed notoriety in the nation as a dirty game. With human-centred interventions by people like the Deputy Speaker, politics should be seen as a call to service, and not a vocation for avarice.
“It is pertinent to highlight that the Deputy Speaker could have chosen the less than noble option of treating the people patronisingly, by dropping a bag of rice here and few naira notes there to grease palms and earn ovation from poor citizens. But knowing that such actions will further to debase the people, he chose to edify the citizen by strengthening institutions to enable them discharge their mandates.”
With all of these and many more considered, it is not for nothing that Imolites see in Ihedioha a credible hand to bring about meaningful, sustainable and enduring development in the state. It is hardly arguable that the deputy speaker has the undisputed reputation of being the only politician in Imo State that has attracted more federal projects to the state than anyone else.
It is not for nothing that the Mbaise nation is falling over him as their standard bearer to pick up the gauntlet and seek to become the next governor of Imo State. The Mbaise nation led by some prominent sons recently called on the deputy speaker to contest the governorship as its most prominent leading light. His people and indeed numerous members of the general public in Imo perceive some admirable qualities in Ihedioha including credibility, high integrity and a strong pedigree that will enhance restoration of order. Ihedioha is also very sociable as he creates time to attend social functions like weddings, burials, and other ceremonies across Imo State. He is also seen as very unassuming with a flair for brilliance in performance. Other parts of him shows close affinity with the church. Though a Knight of the Anglican Church and a pillar of strength for the Mbaise Diocese, Ihedioha’s relationship with the Catholic Church is very encouraging. He is known to have been involved with the construction/rehabilitation of a number of Diocese of Catholic Church. In addition to these, Ihedioha is a good friend of the clergy. He is one politician with instant name and facial recognition nationally and across the nooks and crannies of Imo State and he has built a wide network of friends cutting across political and religious divides.
These are well-heeled credentials that can no doubt, cause some sleepless nights for political opponents. But whether these are sufficient to rout the incumbency factor of Okorocha is a tough question that cannot be answered in this piece. The Imo governor has got his huge following in the state especially being the current dispenser of patronage in Government House, Owerri. He has also got some laudable projects credited to his administration although some lethargy appears to have set in to slow down the pace of work with which they started. His free education programmes; rural roads projects; empowerment of traditional institutions among others are policies that have endeared him to many Imolites even though his critics have tried to pooh-pooh these works. But head or tail, as things stand, the contest for the governorship is parading Okorocha and Ihedioha as the gladiators to watch as the battle unfolds.
