2007: Battle For the Soul Of Imo
By Ernest Madueke
The push for the soul of Imo politics thickens as intrigues and backbiting take the center-stage. It is no longer news that the chairman of PDP in the state, Chief Alex Obi has been suspended in what is perceived as a conspiracy by some interest blocs in the party. The controversy surrounding Obi's suspension only points to the fact the forces against him are bent on undoing him and being in a position to call the shots. Indications are rife that his travails are ploys by the minister of education Prof. Fabian Osuji and Chief P.C. Onuoha whose interests remain the control of the party machinery by a loyalist whom they can dictate to at will. Apparently, Obi is perceived as a character that will not favour just any gubernatorial candidate in the next general elections. Not only that, there is evidence too that his antagonists are those who lost nomination bids in the past, but have failed to realize the precarious position or dilemma that faced the suspended chairman. Head or tail, his fate appears the same. Obi's problem is also compounded by the ambitions of the PDP southeast vice chairman, Nze Ozichukwu and Senator Ifeanyi Ararume who has been touted to have an eye on the state's gubernatorial slot.
Strong belief abound that the battle for the soul of Imo has its roots in Owerri federal constituency, which is widely believed to wield enormous influence in Imo politics. There is even stronger belief by politicians that its capture positions one in order to dictate political proceedings in the entire state since the forces at play indicate so.
This disposition exhibited over the constituency became the hallmark of politicians during the last general elections, which the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won in the state. Although several PDP members decamped to other parties to satisfy their selfish political ambitions, and ostensibly to decimate the party, the PDP still won the state. The PDP victory was an outcome of the commitment, and political dexterity and brilliance of some members of the party like the former Aviation Minister, Dr. Kemafor Chikwe, an outstanding mobiliser and strategist. Dr. Chikwe comes from Owerri North local government area of the Owerri federal constituency.
Current events showcase similar scenarios that characterise proceedings before the last general elections, as politicians in the state rise once again in apparent grand finale over the constituency. Various tactics and ploys have even been dispensed and engaged as the politicians resort to propaganda, rumour peddling and tarnishing the images and achievements of whoever comes between their respective ambitions.
The system is charged even more as subtle moves by APGA to dethrone the leadership of the PDP in the state, is not helping matter. Feelers indicate that the current governor of Imo State, Chief Achike Udenwa has been offered the presidential slot of APGA if he can facilitate this ambition. With such enticement, APGA is strategically positioning itself. However, the airwave is agog with an apparent deal between Udenwa and the maverick senator, Chief Arthur Nzeribe who are respectively eyeing the senate and the state's gubernatorial slot. There is equally a strong indication that most of the PDP members in the state today are only waiting for an auspicious time to decamp, perhaps to APGA after they might have weakened the party. Sabotage is a recurring decimal in politics, which is perceived as war affairs in our political lexicon. The reality of this is heightened by the fact that those who exercised a similar action in the last general elections are still playing roles in PDP today. How sincere such roles are left to be determined since there is strong indication that they are just bidding their time before they strike.
Dr. Chikwe is seen as a force in Imo politics in several quarters, especially in view of her dominant and effective roles during the last general elections. She is generally regarded as the politician to beat. Opposition against her, jostling for the state apparently rise by the day. Expectedly, her rising political status has been misconstrued as an attempt to take over from Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu. Such misconception could be the work of detractors in order to pitch the two political gladiators against each other. In a political environment like ours such development is no surprise since the nation�s politics is polarized by petty sentiments and degrading attitude of politicians who think that opposition must be annexed and eliminated at all cost.
Politicians resort to blackmail and all sorts to achieve a goal. This equally accounts for myriad spurious petitions, character assassinations, backbiting just to name a few that have formed part of our political attitude. The desperation of such politicians knows no bounds since friends and members of their target�s family could be drafted to facilitate their plots. The antics are numerous, but with a common undertaking to eliminate the target politically, even fatally and morbidly as witnessed in recent times.
2007 will provide an insight into the ploys of each group positioning itself for the control of Owerri federal constituency. Likely forces re-aligning for this task, especially to break Dr. Chikwe�s hold comprise characters like APGA state chairman, Charles Onyeagboko, former UNPP gubernatorial candidate, Martin Agbaso and Ambrose Ejiogu. Others are former FCT director, Nnaemeka Maduagwu, Dr. Henry Njoku, Prince Lemmy Akakeme, Uche Onyeagorocha representing Owerri west and APGA in House of Representative.
The interesting thing is that the group is harnessing all arsenals within its grasp, especially to direct the political wind of the state. However, when politics is played with bitterness not much is desired since most members of the group could be harbouring one grudge or the other against Obi or those they perceive as antagonists. For instance, London-based Mrs. Chidinma Ejiogu who is generally seen as the errand lady of the group is still hurt that she lost the primaries in the last general elections because she was not on the ground. She is equally the estranged wife of Dr. Chikwe's brother and incidentally contested the primaries against the younger brother in-law, Mr. Uche Ejiogu. There is even another twist in the entire matter as Mr. Ejiogu�s election into the House of Reps is said to have been quashed on the orders of some powerful interest in Abuja in favour of the APGA candidate, Mr. Onyeagorocha. The matter has since then become a subject of legal tussle between Mr. Ejiogu and Mr. Onyeagorocha. The Court of Appeal has ordered for the re-trial of the matter at the election tribunal after they discovered that Mr. Ejiogu could be the rightful winner of the election. Agbaso is equally sad that he did not get support for his 2003 gubernatorial ambition. Therefore, the alliance is perceived as a gathering of strange bedfellows whose respective ideological framework is at variance with each other. There is wide belief that at the end of the day the group may not withstand the heat when the chips are down.
How far can the group go to sweep PDP under the carpet, especially in view of the fact that strong PDP members like Nzeribe could be interested in the gubernatorial seat? Having drawn the battle line between the PDP and whatever other party or platform, perhaps APGA they choose for their schemes, is it then not foolhardy for the group to think that they are fighting only Dr. Chikwe. As it appears, this is the actual position since Dr. Chikwe whom they are opposed to is a die-hard member of PDP whose stand and position for the ruling party is deep-rooted. Apart from that, all the elected officers in the constituency are in support of the former minister. The same thing is said of Owerri North local government.
Politics being a game of intrigues remains a veritable source of surprises since politicians could even dine with their enemies just to achieve their ambitions. Public opinion continues to mount over the unfolding scenario in Imo State. 2007 though some years away, analysts believe that the intellectual zeal of Dr. Chikwe and her political strategies remain her strong points since mere witch-hunting, blackmail and rumour mongering do not translate into success at the polls, especially where the proponents of such are not on the ground. There are equally indication that the PDP would still retain their 2003 victory in the state come 2007. Sources close to Dr. Chikwe reveals that the former minister is less troubled or intimidated since her political arsenals remain oiled for imminent events.
Madueke, journalist writes from Lagos.
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