Tuesday, 28 March 2017

Opinion I One Mistake Okorocha Mustn't Make


ONE MISTAKE OKOROCHA MUST NOT MAKE
        
The last time I checked, an average Imolite had abruptly become more observant and attentive than ever, that, he/she could not spent a whole day without making frantic effort to spy on the Imo Government House otherwise known as the ‘Douglas House’ towards ascertaining what the political strategy of the governor, Chief  Rochas Okorocha entails.
         
Sometimes when they peep, they would take time to comprehend what the body language of the leader in question truly represents. I would assert that they have emerged good observers unannounced. A good observer is one who is very sound in listening; one who listens more and talks less; one who takes his/her precious time to study what every circumstance is made up of; one who can go extra mile to discover facts, either weird or usual, surrounding any given situation.
          
Acknowledging this very scenario, it’s imperative for everyone that’s involved in the famous Rescue Mission Administration, particularly the governor, to fasten his/her seat-belt. The current season could be best described as critical and most challenging, which could be linked to the ongoing Lenten period observed by the Christendom. Notwithstanding, it’s pertinent to note that the said season is actually referring to the political state of Imo.
         
Lest I forget, this critique could be tagged the continuation of the one tendered penultimate week, precisely in the previous edition of this very column entitled ‘Imo, 2019 and Okorocha’s apparent confidence in the youth’. In that very piece, I categorically made the governor who was of the notion that one at above the age of 50 didn’t mean well for the state, understood that age shouldn’t be a requisite for a gubernatorial aspiration. In that analysis, I unequivocally told the revered Imo number one citizen that Imo as a people was only keenly interested in having someone of reputable antecedents and genuine intention as her governor.
         
It is only a-day-old child in the Nigerian political terrain that would think that 2019 is still very far to be discussed by anyone whatsoever. To everyone who really understands the real rudiments of politics, 2019 is already by the corner; in other words, it’s just like a period that would be embraced within a twinkle of an eye. Hence, it’s not unlike a day after today. This is the reason, at the moment, a staunch politician hardly goes to bed owing to 2019.
        
The above premise implies that the heat as regards the awaited Imo governorship race among others is really on and would continue to be intensified as the days unfold. For those whom are yet to be informed, the recently released time-table by the electoral umpire (INEC) in regard to the 2019 political dispensation disclosed that every primary election must end at worst in the second quarter of next year being 2018. Needless to say that only this year (2017) is left for every political party to put its house in order. Thus any party that fails to put its acts together before the end of the third quarter of this year would indeed have itself to be blamed.
        
Sure, any party that refuses to arrange its house this year towards maintaining the needed decorum and decency is liable to misfire come 2018 when the awaited primaries would take place. It is on this backdrop that I thought it wise to advise Governor Okorocha on what he ought to do with a view to avoiding a mistake that he is bound not to make if he truly wishes to remain popular having relinquished power come 2019.
        
The mistake in question is avoidable, thus no excuses is supposed to be given if the governor eventually makes it. The consequences of the mistake, if made, would be very grievous and untold; hence, can cause Chief Okorocha something very costly in the nearest future. Without mincing words, anointing a wrong person as the state’s gubernatorial candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would definitely cost the governor a treasure he would live to recall; it would cost him something that is deeply cherished by his person; in fact, it might cost him his eternal joy, political wise.
         
It’s therefore needless to reiterate that pouring the anointing oil on a wrong individual would be an indelible mistake made by the governor. It could be tagged a blunder because Chief Okorocha who strongly comprehends the basis of politics has no iota of reason to indulge himself in such an anticipated mistake. This implies that he currently has every opportunity to avert the mistake. This is why he must not work alone in regard to preparing someone for the governorship position, or to succeed him.
         
At this point, I expect Gov. Okorocha to be involved in wide consultations. Everyone must be given a listening ear, thus every view should be considered crucial and needed. He must not let his personal interest override that of the party (APC). Hence, he mustn’t be faster than the party; let the party take the lead while he follows, although he undoubtedly remains one of the leaders of the party. The APC must be seen as a family for this to work.
         
What we must acknowledge is that any slightest error made by the party leadership might make the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to become a more useful party, because such error would possess the tendency of disintegrating the former (APC) into various factions; it might even take the state chapter of the party into extinction.
         
In view of the above, the governor must jettison the idea of ensuring that whosoever that would succeed him must not be over 50 years of age; rather, he ought to concentrate on how to produce a credible flag bearer regardless of age or physical stature; a candidate that would be loved by the majority of the members of the party, and Imolites in general. It suffices to state that he mustn’t play politics with such factor, even though this is conspicuously an era of politicking.    
        
However, do not forget in haste that my interest remains Imo, and not APC. It is no longer news that whatever that affects the party would definitely and negatively affect the wellbeing of the state, because the political platform is obviously in charge. Think about it!        


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