The last time I painstakingly checked, 2019
which would mark another interregnum in Nigeria was fast approaching to the
delight of the country’s teeming politicians, particularly their likes in Imo
State. This implies that both the politicos and the electorate are currently
warming up toward embracing the said era, thus can’t wait.
Though some of us who earnestly look forward
to witnessing such a period may not be opportune to get to that point owing to
the intrigues of nature, everyone seems not to be deterred by unfortunate
contingencies. Aside the wants of human in general, which often occasion thrive
accompanies with deep passion, an average politician in the contemporary
Nigerian society is invariably ready to do everything within his/her powers to
ensure that whatever his person so desires would be acquired by all means.
Lest I digress, though the preamble was
consequential, this critique is informed by the ongoing quest among a few
political stalwarts in the state to become the governor of the state come 2019.
Some of us who are very close to the state’s political circle, and have been
keenly observing series of melodramas taking place in the said arena, need not
be told of the few Imolites who are desperately awaiting 2019 as well as can
sacrifice anything towards ensuring that victory becomes theirs at the polls.
If I am not mistaken, the immediate past
governor of the state in the person of Chief Ikedi Ohakim is one of these few
individuals that are strongly warming up. It would be recalled that Chief
Ohakim’s emergence as the Imo governor in 2007 was seemingly miraculous. His
victory was occasioned by the lingered impasse between the then Nigerian
President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) flag
bearer for the Imo gubernatorial polls, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume.
It appeared Chief Obasanjo, being the
leader of the then ruling party (PDP), had vowed that Sen. Araraume would never
have the taste of the Douglas House irrespective of the circumstance, perhaps
as a result of what transpired between the duo when the latter was a serving
Senator. This quagmire necessitated Chief Obasanjo’s adoption of one of the
relatively unknown candidates for the race, Chief Ohakim who was running under
the platform of the Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA) – a party founded by
the then governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, thereby causing a huge
confusion for Sen. Araraume who had better chances of emerging victorious.
Prior to anointing Chief Ohakim to wear
the shoes of Sen. Araraume, although under a disguise, the agreement was that
the former would decamp to the PDP if he emerged as the governor of the state,
and consequently he fulfilled his own part of the deal when he eventually found
himself in the Douglas House. Aside decamping from the PPA to the PDP, during
his reign as the Imo State governor, it’s worth noting Chief Ohakim was making
frantic effort to satisfy a few individuals who could be best described as king
makers.
Like any other leadership, it’s noteworthy
that Ohakim’s was characterized by several social cum political challenges.
Apart from the lingered court proceedings between him and Sen. Araraume at the
political angle, which occasioned various distractions, the social plights
experienced by him was one of the reasons that gave Chief Rochas Okorocha – the
present governor – an upper hand during the 2011 governorship election in the
state.
Though I’m not here to state his accomplishments
and shortcomings while he was the state’s governor, it’s imperative to
acknowledge that his four-year tenure, which came as a surprise to millions of
onlookers, ended in an unpopular style. Despite his strong intention to
continue for a second time in office, it was obvious that over seventy-five per
cent (75%) of Imolites wanted him to take a bow, probably due to the
misunderstanding that ensued between him and a Catholic priest which was widely
politicized. In addition, the popularity of Chief Okorocha who was then his
closest rival brought more pains to his continuity aspiration.
Coupled
with the rumour making the rounds that the Mbano-born politician is still
aspiring to return to Douglas House come 2019, penultimate week, one of the
dailies confirmed the news. The information had it that, after due
consultations, Chief Ohakim had publicly disclosed his interest to vie for the
post of the Governor of the Eastern Heartland in 2019. Chief Ohakim who few
months ago notified the general public that he had temporarily retired from
active partisan politics, equally aspired for the same position in 2015 but
never secured a ticket at the primary level, in PDP precisely.
One thing that is yet to be clear is
the political party the man in question would be vying under. Is it going to be
the PDP that failed to secure victory in 2011, rejected him in 2015, and that
he chose to temporarily retired from barely few months ago when it needed him
most? Will it be the All Progressives Congress (APC) that is already loaded with
aspirants noted to be men of unquestionable character; in other words, a party
where there is ostensibly no iota of vacancy? Is he going back to the PPA that
he relegated to the background when he became the governor of the state in
2007, or considering coming up with a totally different political party? These
among many more questions are currently on my thoughtful mind.
However,
whichever party he may choose to operate under toward actualizing his keen
objective, I wish to unequivocally but humbly advise the statesman to have a
rethink as regards such an ambition. If I were in his shoes, I would never
dream of aspiring for governor, or a second term, again. Not because he had
been defeated twice at the polls – both at the primary and secondary levels –
or because he is not qualified, but simply owing to the fact that his chances
of emerging victorious again are apparently infinitesimal. Someone he calls his
good/best friend might not tell him this, but I always stand for the truth and
uprightness.
First,
the APC has seemingly dominated Imo State within a shortest time frame.
Secondly, Governor Okorocha seems to remain popular, perhaps as a result of the
ongoing free-education in the state, which he has managed to sustain till date.
It suffices to say that whosoever that would be vying for the Imo gubernatorial
polls come 2019 under the auspices of the APC, or to be anointed by the
aforesaid governor, would definitely have an upper hand at the polls.
Even if Chief Ohakim eventually decamped to
the APC, there’s no up to 10% guarantee that the party’s ticket would be given
to him because there are several others who had ab initio worked relentlessly
for the party and are equally qualified for the position in question, thus it
would be ideal he choose acting as a godfather concerning the awaited election.
This is my humble take; I don’t know about you. Think about it!
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