Expectedly, divergent views trailed my earlier commentary on this issue. Apart from text messages sent to my mobile phones, there were reactions on facebook, by fellow peeps who had opportunities of going through the political commentary, courtesy of the social media.
I began last week by showcasing the chances and difficulties of the incumbent and member representing the federal constituency in the National Assembly, Hon Chief Nnanna Igbokwe, Chairman of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Chief Felix Chukwu and an upcoming amazon of the Anyanwu political dynasty of Ekwerazu, Ahiazu Mbaise Doris Anyanwu.
In my renewed zeal to ensure that my postulations are devoid of bias or sectional lining, this week will focus on suspected aspirants for the Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Federal Constituency, who are not of the PDP stock but from Ezinihitte arm of the federal constituency. No doubt Igbokwe, Chukwu and Anyanwu are from PDP. Therefore, I will take a look at Chief Victor Ihenacho. A very popular personality with likeable attributes, Ihenacho appeared on the scene in 2011 when he shifted base from PortHarcourt to Owerri for the Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Federal House squabble. As a distinguished businessman who has garnered enough resources for the challenge, Ihenacho moved into Mbaise land and threw in his hat into the ring for the position.
Despite the spirited efforts he put into the quest, Igbokwe carried the day. However, Ihenacho gains were that he has only succeeded in announcing his arrival into Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Mbaise Federal Constituency politics. He can no longer be referred to a political neophyte expected to pay his dues before reaping from the spoil of office. The experience garnered in 2011 has further widened his political scope to escape the Johnny Just Come, JJC toga, in Mbaise politics.
Having lost out from the leading PDP, Ihenacho pitched tent with the APGA alongside Okorocha when the Ogboko Ideato South born politician worn. But with change of tide which has seen Okorocha move to APC, the business tycoon is a prominent APC member in Ahiazu LGA.
One thing going for Ihenacho is his old contacts and political structure built overtime. Apparently aware that the 2011 election was his first test, Ihenacho sustained his campaign outfit despite loosing the bid to represent Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Federal Constituency. He kept the structure which he is using to pull strings at the grassroots level. Since PDP may have been dominated by political heavy weights with the wherewithal to combat opposing forces, Ihenacho moved to APGA and later APC where is one of the dominant figures enjoying Chief PC Onuoha’s backing.
What could work against Ihenacho is his penchant for shifting platforms which portrays him as an unserious fellow. From initial interest in PDP to later APGA and APC moves. His restless moves will no doubt colour the minds of his followers who may regard him as an unreliable leader. In view of the numerous foundation and empowerment programes run by the likes of Igbokwe and Chukwu, Ihenacho may not also muster enough followership to match other challengers for the position.
Also reported to be interested in the position under APC is High Chief Chidi Ibe. Ibe engaged in a titanic battle with Igbokwe for the throne two years ago. Ibe ran under APGA but was unfortunate. While his compatriot for the Senate, Senator Christy Anyanwu emerged victorious in 2011 National Assembly election using APGA platform, Ibe met his waterloo in Ahiazu Ezinihitte Federal Constituencies.
Determined to make his ambition real, Ibe went to court to challenge Igbokwe’s victory which was eventually knocked out. But he got reprieve when another defeated candidate secured court judgment for a bye-election for the federal constituency. Both parties went back to the pools but again Igbokwe of PDP proved his mettle. Again, Ibe rushed to court to challenge the credentials of the PDP member but also lost out finally.
To compensate the Ahiazu born High Chief and put him in the mainstream of Okorocha political family after the disappointing National Assembly run, Ibe was recently made one of the members of a commission in the state. However, it was gathered that his eye is still in the House of Representative project come 2015.
The former Ahiazu Council Caretaker Committee Chairman is said to have gone back to the drawing board to discover the political magic that will sell his candidacy in the next two years. Ibe is said to be using his new position in government to build fresh structures and campaign machinery. He has started re-addressing factors that denied him victory on two occasions and working on new modules for success.
No doubt, the forces working against Ibe which led to his failure and two-time electoral misfortunes will still be re-opened anytime he resuscitates the Reps ambition. The recent appointment could also be a disappointment in disguise as those sympathetic to his cause will claim that he has been settled with Member of Commission appointment.
Since zoning is not enshrined in Nigeria’s Constitution or 2010 Electoral Act as conditions for any contestable office, people from Ezinihitte are reported to be warming up for the race. In my earlier analysis, I stated that the mutual believe within the Federal Constituency is that Ahiazu will go another term before it gets back to Ezinihitte, considering that Igbokwe’s immediate predecessor, Independence Ogulewe of Ezinihitte, enjoyed two tenures consecutively.
However, Sir Bede Nzenwa and Kanayo O Kanayo are believed to be oiling their arsenal for the debacle. Nzenwa, the Chairman of Ezinihitte local government area whose status is hanging in the balance is an old war horse that is counting on several factors to succeed, while actor Kanayo of Nollywood fame is using his wide contacts to try his luck again after the 2011 attempt. Their interest for Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Reps seat could be suicidal if the zoning arrangement agreed upon is placed in proper perspective. Ezinihitte people may be upset over Nzenwa’s Reps position ambition. Their reason may not be unconnected to the fact that after grabbing the Council Chairman position, he now wants to take up the Federal Legislator seat, thereby confining others to mere watchers of political events in the area.
The people of Ahiazu/Ezinihitte may also remind the veteran actor, Kanayo that contesting an election of this magnitude is not a movie show where the action is stage-managed. Without a grassroots base and insignificant influence at the state party level, Kanayo who is pronounced more at the national stage has an uphill task ahead 2015.
