S/south and Emerging Political Leadership
In the last few weeks, unfolding political events in the South-south geo-political zone, specifically, in the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) shows that the zone might be moving towards evolving a new power bloc, writes Donald Andoor
Recent events in the South-South geo-political zone of the country has portrayed the region as one in dire need of a strong and respected leader who would serve as a torch bearer. The zone, unlike the other geo-political zones, has neither a strong united voice nor a strong political leader who for now is serving as a rallying point.
In the South West geo-political zone, the Afenifere and the Yoruba Council of Elders are on ground. In the South-East, the Ohaeneze has been speaking for the zone and in the North the Arewa Consultative Forum and the Northen Elders are in the forefront of articulating the position of the region. Although, these groups all claim to be non-partisan, they are not completely aloof of political developments. Their positions on issues are never taken as sacrosanct and blindly accepted by the people they speak for, they nonetheless bring some influence to bear on many issues; be they political or other wise.
This however is lacking in the South-South zone where individual efforts mattered most. Events of recent have shown that the South-South is in dire need of a strong pressure group and a leader with a vision. The inconclusive meeting of the governors and National Assembly members from the South-South, held at Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, a fortnight ago is one of such events.
One of the items that prominently featured on the agenda was the nomination and approval of the National Vice-Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the region. But the meeting rather than progress, according to the programme, came to an abrupt end as a result of disagreement on modalities of selecting a successor for the vacant post.
The post was first held by Dr. Marshal Harry and then by Chief K. A. Dikibo. Both were indigenes of Rivers State and both were brutally assassinated. Rivers State Governor, Dr. Peter Odili had at the meeting argued that although, the position was held by two sons of Rivers State, their tenure was yet to expire when they met their untimely death and that it was just proper that another Rivers son be allowed to complete the term after which somebody from another state in the zone will take over.
He consequently forwarded the name of Chief Godspower Ake, a non-controversial but a veteran politician. His argument was vehemently opposed by other governors. They favoured a situation where the post would be thrown open for contest by interested candidates from all states of the zone.
Sources at the meeting however said Odili stuck to his argument even as he pleaded with his colleagues to put aside political calculations and other sentiments. He queried his colleagues if they had plans to remove the late Dikibo if he were still alive. Apart from Governor Donald Duke of Cross River State who was absent at the meeting, the other governors, including Obong Victor Attah of Akwa Ibom, Chief James Ibori of Delta, Chief Lucky Igbinedion of Edo and Chief D. S. P. Alamieyeseigha of Bayelsa did not immediately agree with Odili's line of argument.
The meeting which, according to the programme was to have come to an end by 6.00 pm, ended, less than two hours after it commenced. The other governors who stormed out of Ibom Plaza, venue of the meeting, drove-off without going for lunch at the Government House under the guise of attending to other important functions.
But political analysts viewed their quick departure as a way of avoiding any other discussion on the matter until some other time. Odili, who was also billed to attend the wedding of Mohammed, son of the former military leader, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida was the only one who accompanied Attah for lunch, this was despite the fact that he was conscious of the need to reciprocate the good gesture of Babangida, who had earlier in the year, attended the wedding of his daughter, Adaeze.
The reasons for attending the lunch were, according sources, to show respect to Attah, who was the oldest governor in the region and who is the chairman of the governors forum. While having lunch with Attah, Odili was said to have re-opened the issue. He marshaled his arguments on why other states should allow Rivers State candidate to complete the tenure for the post of the national vice-chairman of the PDP. He was equally said to have persuaded Attah to intervene and talk to other governors in the zone to have a change of heart.
Odili, sources say, also re-opened discussions with other South-south governors and political leaders. In the end, it was gathered, he was able to convince them to accept the nomination of Ake for the post. The consequent change of hearts and the emergence of Ake as Vice-chairman to analysts has shown that the division among the political leaders of the region may have been resolved.
The zone, though still lacking an acceptable mouth-piece like other zones, is however taking a definite step towards creating a circle of leadership that would give it a clear direction.
To many, this is the position Odili may be moving to occupy. Odili has also worked hard to build a rising political profile and reputation. He might not have declared publicly that he is eyeing the presidency, come 2007; one thing is clear, he has proved he is working for the interest of his people. From day one, that he was sworn-in as the governor, Odili worked hard to secure the position of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, zoned to the South-South to his state. The position was then occupied by Mr. Chibudom Nwuche. The state is still holding on to the position which is now occupied by Hon. Austin Opara.
When the controversy over where to site the Niger-Delta Development Commission(NDDC) headquarters arose at the National Assembly, Odili moved his office from Port Harcourt to Abuja moving from house-to-house and knocking on the doors of National Assembly members to lobby them on why it should be sited in Port Harcourt.
He was even said to have promised to provide accommodation for the commission; a promise he has already fulfilled. Not only that, Odili penetrated Aso Rock. He got the ears of the President and lobbied for more political appointments. Obasanjo granted the request; the result was two ministerial slots for Rivers State. Odili, in his zeal to secure more opportunities for his state has also made Obasanjo to start wearing the straw hat.
The President also became a frequent visitor to Rivers. At least, he has visited Rivers no fewer than nine times for different reasons including official state visit. The President whose visit to any state is considered a rare privilege has visited Rivers to commission Independent Power Plants either refurbished or built by the state government, the commissioning of the NDDC headquarters and other projects. And when Odili's daughter was getting married in April, the seat of the federal government was relocated to Port Harcourt. Obasanjo, for two days, was in Rivers to give a presidential accent to the marriage.
Odili has been severely criticised for monopolizing the post of the national vice-chairman of the PDP to Rivers State which Ake is now occupying after the brutal assassination of the two previous occupants, his towering political image is believed to be at the centre of these criticisms. And whether or not he is doing it for his future political calculations, the immediate beneficiaries are the Rivers people.
Also, his ability and political schemings, which made it possible for the swearing-in of Ake, his erstwhile Special Adviser on Lands and Survey Bureau as the national vice-chairman of PDP is seen as a manifestation of Odili's political dexterity.
|
