Ahead 2007: Ararume Versus Udeagu
By Obiora Onoye
A foretaste of what to expect at the 2007 governorship race in Imo State emerged recently when forces loyal to Senator Ifeanyi Ararume trounced those rooting for the State Deputy Governor, Engr. Ebere Udeagu. The occasion that provided grounds for the epic battle was the choice of a candidate for the Okigwe North House of Representative seat, which became vacant following the death of the former occupant, Chief Maurice Ibekwe.
Shortly after the death of Ibekwe in detention and long before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the seat vacant, many aspirants had indicated interest to replace the former lawmaker. Incidentally both Senator Araraume who represents Imo North Senatorial zone otherwise known as Okigwe zone and Engr. Udeagu were constituents of Ibekwe. In making a choice for his replacement therefore, both players believed to be working hard to succeed Governor Achike Udenwa were expected to make inputs.
Prior to the 2003 general elections, this would not have been a problem as both Udenwa and Udeagu to a large extent depended on the support of Ararume for their reelection. That support was so necessary that Ararume's homes both at the village and Owerri became a political Mecca for the politicians. From Okigwe zone, the real threat to Udenwa was Hon Emeka Nwajiuba and it was only Araraume that could tell Okigwe people where to go. In fact, it was in the House of Araraume that Okigwe traditional rulers issued a statement backing Udenwa for 2003 and warned all their sons to steer clear till 2007.
Strangely, however, as soon as Udenwa was reelected he started distancing himself from Araraume, thus giving credence to the belief that they only wanted to use the self-effacing senator. Matters also came to a head when it was discovered that Udenwa was not ready to back Araraume who is rich, independent-minded and commands a lot of followership among Imo people especially those in the fold of Peoples� Democratic Party (PDP). Put differently Ararume is not one to be controlled by anyone who cannot advance a superior reason or cause or ideas.
That was how the lot fell on Udeagu as far as Udenwa's camp was concerned. First, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr Vin Udokwu was to be foisted on Udeagu as deputy governor; second the governor will still be reporting to Ex-Governor Udenwa. All these calculations informed the apparent strained relationship between Araraume and the Udenwa camp.
Funny enough while they were distancing themselves from Araraume, the Senator still courted them, attending all functions organized by government and expressing support for her programmes. In fact when he held a press conference recently he pleaded with the journalists to continue to highlight the achievements and constraints of the Udenwa administration.
But when it was obvious to him that the government was not going to support him to produce the House of Representative candidate for Okigwe North, Araraume decided to fight back. He had already been hurt by the suspension of his men in the State Executive council of PDP by the now suspended chairman of the state, Dr Alex Obi. When therefore Dr Obi was drowning and Udenwa and others needed the assistance of Araraume, he looked the other way. "If Araraume had been present (read if Jesus had been present) Obi (Lazarus) would not have drowned.
To further demonstrate his grip on PDP both at Okigwe and the entire Imo State, Araraume sent his men on one mission only: Ensure that our man is the PDP candidate for the Okigwe North by-election.
After giving the directive, Araraume flew out of the country on an official assignment. As soon as Udeagu confirmed that he was not within Nigeria, he set to work to ensure his own candidate emerged on the day of the primaries, which was Saturday September 25, 2004.
To an outsider the Senator's camp was in disarray for there were many aspirants within the fold. Hon Mike Ohia, the eventual winner was there, Barr Emma Ibediro, former Onuimo LG boss was there even the widow of Maurice Ibekwe. Two other names were also mentioned.
Apparently thinking they were smart, the deputy governor's camp decided to sponsor only a candidate in the person of Barr Vin Okpaleke. Now, it showed how Udeagu always love to swim against the current. Like the blunder he committed when his candidate lost at Olu Okigwe election, the deputy governor picked a fellow whose strong credentials in politics depict nothing but failure. Barr Okpaleke ran for the local government chairman of Onuimo local government and lost. He contested for the State House of Assembly and had not even recovered from the heavy defeat inflicted on him when Udeagu took him out on clutches to run for the House of Representatives slot.
Still not adept on the manner which foremost politicians attract fierce loyalty, Udeagu decided to infiltrate the camp of Araraume by pretending to be sponsoring a fall-guy there as a candidate. The man who is prepared to die for Araraume like most of his supporters quietly reported back to the senator with the N400,000 they gave him to purchase a form. It was only on the floor of the election that they knew the man didn't even buy the form.
Meanwhile, unknown to them, senior aides of the senator were working behind the scene to know what was happening in the opponents's camps and so discovered that welfare packages for delegates had been worked out by the deputy governor. Those loyal to Araraume duly reported back. When words filtered in that the governor had directed that Barr Vin Okpaleke should be returned as PDP candidate, the delegates rebelled. Ever since the re-election of Udenwa and Udeagu, they had not looked the way of those who worked for their victory, unlike Araraume who monthly attends to their welfare.
Another matter that worked in favour of Araraume was that he had (has) lieutenants who could be trusted any day anytime. Those aides worked in his absence and delivered. For instance, both Araraume and Udeagu have members of House of Assembly from Okigwe zone working for them.
Whereas one of Araraume's men delivered in taking care of the welfare of the delegates, that of Udeagu was alleged to have made himself unavailable.
Similarly, while Araraume who came in only on the day of the primaries and still knew the time and the people conducting the election, Udeagu's camp never knew anything was in the offing until very late. In fact, their supporters massed in on the secretariat thinking the election would hold in the afternoon while those of the Araraume camp who knew it was going to be in the evening had a hearty lunch and serene siesta before moving in convoy to the venue, late afternoon.
But above all, the lesson to be learnt from the defeat of Udenwa and Udeagu even in their presence has confirmed beyond all reasonable doubt that Araraume is not just in charge but had been all these years. When before the counting of votes, he had expressed beguiled doubt whether the election was free and fair, Udeagu declared that there was no irregularity whatsoever. He vainly thought that they were in control, but guess who laughed last, Araraume.
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