In fulfillment of my earlier promise posted on my facebook to delve into matter, this week’s political commentary will focus on possible replacement for our dear governor, in Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha if he decides not to run for second tenure.
As part of his campaign strategy preceding the 2011 election, Okorocha was not ambiguous when he told people who cared to listen about his one-term ambition, maintaining that he was “too big” for the Imo Guber job. He added that his ultimate desire is to rescue Imolites from bad governance inflicted on the populace by previous governments. Okorocha did not mince words when he noted that the presidency is his political destination and not governorship. With fifteen months to enter another political dispensation come 2015, the picture is becoming clearer what next is on the way for Okorocha. Mid way into his tenure, the Imo state governor engaged in certain political maneuverings that suggest he wants to leave state politics for national stage. Okorocha not only abandoned APGA that became his vehicle to climb into elective power for APC, but also engaged in aggressive national politicking that has earned him the Chairman of APC governorship forum.
Only recently, the media was awash with his desire to become the vice-Presidential candidate in next general election. A notable national daily made the exposure, though Okorocha fired back that it was mere speculation and part of the fanthom lies bandied about by uninformed persons about his future political ambition.
On his return after a few weeks break abroad where he visited the daughter that recently gave birth to twin boys, Okorocha did not make public his future political desire while addressing the mammoth crowd that heralded his return from USA.
However, recent developments in Government House, Owerri since this week are indirect indications that a fresh successor may carry the Rescue Mission flag under APC banner in 2015. This particular write-up will not go into issues or reasons why Okorocha may not likely want a second missionary journey in 2015. Rather, my work will reflect on the special ingredient that characterizes this back page column; exposing political gladiators that would dominate proceedings in 2015, their strengths and weaknesses with a view to x-raying their chances for political positions come next general election. In this regard, I will look at the early birds rumoured as possible contenders for the position if Okorocha vacates in 2015.
Taking into factor the persistent clamour by socio-political organizations that it is the turn of Owerri Zone to produce Imo governor, the APC camp and indeed Okorocha will not turn their backs to people of Imo East (Owerri Zone) who were instrumental to his emergence as governor first with APGA ticket. In this regard, frontliners from Owerri Zone in Okorocha’s camp will be my focus.
At a meeting in Govt House on Monday, where APC facilitators and coordinators met, Okorocha reportedly declared intention to move to the centre come 2015. Though he was not specific whether it would be president or vice-president, but the bottom-line is that the governor inquired from the APC egg heads about their individual future political ambitions in the coming general elections.
When it became the turn for his would be successor, a former governorship aspirant and commissioner in the state, Dr Charles Onuoha jokingly declared intention to run after a pin drop silence that greeted Okorocha’s question. The names of the Deputy Governor of the state, Prince Eze Madumere and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Jude Ejiogu were also mentioned at the meeting as being rumoured to be interested in succeeding Okorocha by May 29, 2015.
I will not go into details of what transpired during the meeting, my brief will concentrate on the aformentioned persons.
Onuoha from Ogbe Ahiara in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of the state indicated interest to run for 2011 election under the Labour Party when Okorocha commenced his political maneuvers to govern Imo. To ensure success of the Rescue Mission, Onuoha abandoned his guber ambition and joined the campaign team of Okorocha on the latter’s request. Since the present administration came into power, the banker turned politician has been in the corridors of power holding one office or the other. From Special Adviser on MDGs, to Commissioner. However, Onuoha rejected to serve as a member of the reconstituted Imo State Independent Electoral Commission, ISIEC, after the last Exco dissolution before he was reassigned to serve as Chairman of Imo Housing Corporation months after he departed the office as Commissioner for Housing.
Relatively unknown in politics of the state until the coming of Okorocha government, Onuoha is upbeat about his desire which began in 2011. After missing the chance three years ago, 2015 is another chance. His Mbaise background which is also in Owerri, the zone clamouring for the emergence of Imo governor of Owerri Zone extraction is an opportunity. In APC quarters, Onuoha is seen to be one of the forces that would challenge the Armada of governorship hopefuls from Mbaise clan warming up in other parties.
As the first to declare his ambition when the governor threw the question to his lieutenants over who wants to succeed him, Onuoha may be relying on verbal promises from Okorocha about the Mbaise Clan during a campaign outing at Ezinihitte Mbaise in 2011 where Okorocha enjoined Nde Mbaise to jettison the Deputy Governor position extended to them by Ohakim’s PDP and go for the Governor seat when the time comes in 2015 after he must have served a single tenure. At that moment, Dr Ada Okwuonu from Ezinihitte Mbaise was the Deputy Governor, while another Mbaise woman, Prof Viola Onwuliri was again picked as Ohakim’s new running mate.
Competent sources in Okorocha’s camp further revealed that Onuoha may get favours and support from Okorocha in his fresh quest after losing out from certain privileged appointments. Onuoha, it was learnt would have been made Okorocha’s deputy in 2011 before the Agbaso factor crept in after the senior Agbaso, Martin surrendered the APGA platform to the incumbent governor. When Jude Agbaso was impeached, Onuoha’s name crept up as possible replacement. Even when Madumere rose from Chief of Staff to Deputy Governor position, Onuoha was among those said to have been considered before Ejiogu was appointed.
However, Onuoha may lack the necessary logistics and financial muscle to prosecute a governorship election. Since he has neither ran for a competitive election nor recorded electoral victory, it would be difficult getting the ticket under APC platform even as he would suffer from popularity problem, unlike Okorocha who won the hearts of Imolites ahead 2011 election.
Chief Jude Ejiogu needs no introduction. The Chief of Staff to the governor is one of the shining political aristocrats from Owerri North. Owerri North LGA no doubt has crème-de la crème of political elites in the state. It is in Owerri North you hear the likes of Ndaa Ambu, Ndaa Nkema, Ndaa Martin, Ndaa Captain, Ndaa Ray, Ndaa Jerry, Ndaa Nick and several other Ndaa who are political “timber and caliber” in their own stature. Emerging from that hegemony is Ndaa Judge Ejiogu. The Chief of Staff has been consistent in politics of the state by seeking one elective position each election year. In 2011, he sought to represent Owerri Federal Constituency under PDP but lost out to Hon Ernest Ibejiakor (Nwandaa). Before he sought refuge in defunct ACN where Chief Gibson (Oyiga) Achonwa Njemanze emerged the flag bearer. He now galvanized with other aggrieved PDP members to work in favour of Okorocha and other APGA candidates the Equity Group. Ndaa Jude first started as SA to Okorocha on Revenue before becoming Chairman of Civil Service Commission. His next bustop was Chief of Staff and Special Duties Commissioner.
The rumours making the rounds that Ejiogu is one of those in Okorocha’s camp seeking to succeed him in 2015 could be germane if recent relationship with the family of the first citizen of the state is anything to go by. Undoubtedly, Ejiogu is having a swell time in office and seems to be the man-Friday of Okorocha. How he managed to record this meteoric rise has continued to baffle allies of the governor. The new found rosy relationship buoyed with trust and confidence can tilt the succession bid in favour of Ejiogu.
Again, the dark-skinned former banker is waxing stronger daily and gradually becoming a power broker in Okorocha’s camp. His new function as Chief of Staff to the governor and responsibility of undertaking day-to-day operations of the governor’s activities is another added advantage to get the face of his principal and APC faithful in the state for the governorship election. As a seasoned politician with the tactical know-how, Ejiogu could also be the man to watch out in Okorocha’s camp.
Forces that may work against Ejiogu is his Owerri North background and the brewing shenanigans in Okorocha’s camp. One of the reigning cultures of Owerri North political class is their penchant to struggle for power and supremacy amongst them which ultimately translates to “pull him down syndrome”. The array of political icons in Owerri also bears negative consequences. Instead of becoming a common front to secure what they want in the polity, it gives rise to political altercations among the key players. The ambition of Ejiogu may not be an exception. Dr (Mrs) Kema Chikwe of PDP received a dose of this treatment when she ran for the Senate seat against the eventual winner, Senator Christy Anyanwu from Mbaise in 2011. While Mrs Chikwe succeeded in other LGAs, it was in her Owerri North domain she lost woefully, thereby giving Senator Anyanwu chance to excel. The people of Owerri North not only worked against her but also voted for her opponent to emerge victorious.
Ejiogu may also be a willing tool in the hands of Okorocha as against the popular belief that a rosy relationship exist between them. Political pundits are of the opinion that the Emekuku born politician became relevant as a result of the sour romance Okorocha had with the Agbasos. In a bid to checkmate the Agbasos and rejig his Owerri North structure against possible hatred from the people as a result of ill-treatment meted to sacked Jude Agbaso, Ejiogu was brought to limelight to checkmate the Agbasos and any insurgence from Owerri North. Indications are rife that the Chief of Staff may be shoved aside during the time of reckoning. Another snag is that despite his avowed desires to contest for elective posts Ejiogu has never won any election in the past.
The last but not the least among the rumoured persons is Madumere. I have in one of my earlier write up discussed about Deputy Governor and chances of succeeding his longtime boss and beneficiary. The question about who succeeds Okorocha would have been a fait accompli for Madumere if the number of years and intimate relationship they have had is anything to go by. Madumere is Okorocha and Okorocha is Madumere. I stand to be corrected to state that one of the persons that is capable of reading the governor’s body language, gestures and postulations better is Madumere. No wonder he became his Chief-of-Staff before 2011 and succeeded in that position after Okorocha was sworn-in as governor. No person in the present cabinet will write Okorocha’s history better than Madumere. If smooth relationship is anything to be considered, Madumere will have the upper hand, no wonder he moved from Chief of Staff to Deputy Governor and Okorocha during a recent outing stated: “he is my son in whom I am well pleased”.
It is not likely going to be a smooth sail for Madumere. The Deputy Governor is yet to prove his mettle in the political landscape of the state that he is capable of fitting into the big shoes of Okorocha if his boss finally decides not to run for 2015 guber. Madumere must do more to shore up his popularity and win the acceptance of the masses. The Deputy Governor’s involvement in petty controversies may rub the shine off his chances of steering the ship of Rescue Mission in the state by 2015. The sad memories of what transpired in his Mbieri communities recently when he visited for interactive sessions with youths of the affected places also serves as a signal of what to expect if he eventually joins the fray to succeed his boss. The Deputy-Governor needs a political turn-around maintenance that will galvanise his image. The coming months will offer him the opportunity to re-address some nagging issues that have turned to encumbrances for his political future.
