The last time I checked, the 2019
general elections were fast approaching. In view of this fact, every political
platform is seriously preparing or putting its house in order towards winning
the attention of the electorate, and the ruling party – the All Progressives
Congress (APC) – isn’t exceptional.
It’s noteworthy that both at the
federal and state levels, the APC is obviously in charge. And, considering that
power is insatiable, the greatest pleasure of the said party come 2019 would be
to remain at the helm of affairs. This is invariably the desire of every sane and
rational individual or entity.
The subject matter is solely interested in the
‘2019 guber’; that is, the gubernatorial aspect – Imo precisely – of the
awaited political race. And we are not unaware that presently, likewise in the
past, several highly placed Imolites have directly or indirectly indicated
interest in the race. The truth is that, every bona-fide Imolite is legible to
aspire for the governorship position.
It’s equally worthy to note that an
aspirant is completely different from a contestant. The former has to do with
anyone within a certain political party that is nurturing interest to vie for
any post; whilst, the latter is that person, among other aspirants, who has
been eventually chosen by members of a particular party to represent them. A
contestant is also known as the party’s flag bearer.
This piece is actually informed by the
compelling need to discuss the APC in Imo State as regards the forthcoming 2019
guber. In the APC as a political family, currently, various stalwarts of the
platform have disclosed their desire to vie for the number one seat in the
state under the party’s auspices.
I have painstakingly earlier mentioned
the names of the aspirants in question. However, their names remain: Prince Eze
madumere, Chief Uche Nwosu, Sir Jude Ejiogu and Senator Ifenayi Araraume. In
all ramifications, each of them is well qualified to acquire the party’s ticket
or better still, emerge the state’s governor come 2019.
But the problem with the party at the
moment is the obvious one-sidedness of its apex leader, Governor Rochas
Okorocha. It’s not anymore news that the governor had publicly indicated
interest to throw his weight behind one of the aspirants, Chief Nwosu. This
open gesture of his person had tremendously raised dust and mixed feelings
among onlookers and the party’s faithful in various quarters.
It would be recalled that Gov.
Okorocha, upon his assumption of office in 2011 as the Imo number one citizen,
disclosed his administration’s determination to end the lingered era of
godfatherism in the state’s political terrain. In addition, he vowed that over
his dead body would such syndrome resurface in Imo. The avowal of the governor
implied that he detested godfatherism with passion.
Nevertheless, considering the present
move by the governor, political spectators cum analysts are tempted to brand
him a ‘chameleon’. In other words, they have found it difficult to believe that
he could keep his words. Surely, the recent u-turn made by the Okpoko-born
politician is enough reason for Imolites to become jittery or perturbed.
It might amaze you to note that the
foreseen fate of the APC in the nearest future necessitated this critique. As a
political analyst and rights activist, I have thought it wise to present what
the true picture of the APC would look like soonest as well as to inform the
need for every bona-fide member of the party to be treated as equal.
Believe
it or not, no sane leader would like an association in which he leads to go
into extinction or become moribund, and Gov. Okorocha is not an exception.
Against this backdrop, it is highly consequential for the governor to do the
needful towards averting any unfortunate fate that may befall the party’s
structure. And, his Excellency mustn’t delay in doing this, because time is
apparently no longer his friend.
The
governor is required at this moment to handle the APC as a father. A true
father is expected to treat all his children equally regardless of the circumstance.
Even the prodigal son, as we were told by the Holy Bible, was eventually
welcomed back home by his biological father having erred, and was fully
reintegrated into the family. My candid advice to the father in question is
that, he must be fair to all concerned for the family’s sake. Even if you love
a certain son more than the other children, don’t make it open because it could
spell doom for the family.
So,
as an apex leader in the state, for the sake of the APC’s future, I urge Gov.
Okorocha not to undermine the prowess of any member of the party. That
individual who we think does not possess any political structure might be the
major reason the party would reclaim power come 2019 as being eagerly
anticipated by its overall members. When a group of persons are in a circle,
they must acknowledge that everyone is important, though no one is
indispensable.
At this juncture, if I were Rochas
Okorocha, I will cuddle every dick and harry in the Imo APC with a view to
giving each of them a sense of belonging. I must ensure that an all-inclusive
administration is carried out henceforth toward gaining victory at the polls,
which is the prime goal of every true affiliate of the party. No divided house
has ever achieved anything tangible in the history of the human race. And, this
is where my worry lies.
It troubles me because whatever
affects any political party won’t augur well for the awaited general elections.
We need all parties to remain healthy, to enable them compete vehemently and
favourably for the good of the Eastern Heartland. Think about it!
Comrade Fred Nwaozor
Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri
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Twitter: @mediambassador
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