Dr Chris Ikedi Durueke (chrisdurueke@gmail.com)
My inquiries have revealed that ever since the Imo State Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha announced that he was gunning for the Presidency and that the coast was clear for all his followers to declare their political aspirations, things have not been the same in Douglas House, the seat of power. According to media reports, when the Governor asked for those interested in his seat, only one man openly declared interest and that was former Commissioner for Special Duties, Prince Charles Onuoha. As it was learnt, this was not the man all eyes were on. Eye balls of all the aides were reportedly fixated on the powerful duo of Owelle’s political empire, Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere and the Chief of Staff, Sir Jude Ejiogu.
Not a few in the administration and general public believe that these two are natural successors to Owelle. However, it was observed that their refusal to declare their interest at that forum was more an act of respect for the incumbent rather than disinterest. Most likely, prior to that event, none of them had ever confided privately in their boss about such interest, hence would have been provoking a crisis of confidence by declaring it publicly for the very first time. Moreover, the State Governor had not really foreclosed decisively, any possibility of seeking second tenure.
Silence was the watchword at that forum but the events that followed later exposed it as a silence of the graveyard. From the gates of Douglas House; through the stables of media houses; unto the hallowed grounds of rural communities; It has been propaganda and counter-propaganda; intrigue and counter-intrigue; blackmail and counter-blackmail. We have been given a peep into what lurks deep in the hearts of some men.
I have watched with keen interest the ongoing tussle, which more or less is actually between the supporters and sympathizers of both strong men. One thing I observed is the desperation being manifested by one of the candidates. I have chosen not to mention name, so that I do not run the risk of being perceived as sponsored. Since that forum ended, no day passes by without one newspaper publishing one smear attack against either of the two by opposing faceless groups.
It is not cast in stone that the next Governor must emerge from either of the two. However, one cannot rule out their potential and for that reason, the actions and inactions of such caliber of persons should warrant public scrutiny. As earlier said, the antics of one of these two had been anything but mature, respectful and commendable. Again, I refuse to mention name but suffice to say that his colleague is at the receiving end of a vicious, spiteful and envious campaign.
When deceitful men bombard the media to warp the mind of the people it is left for people like us to take up the gauntlet and help protect the precious sensibilities of the public. The challenge has always been that because of the enormous lies being peddled in the media for personal gain, the public is usually suspicious of any praises. For this reason I praise no one specifically here but focusing on issues and facts that helps people to make up their own minds based on sound reasoning.
Back to the Douglas House Saga -henceforth let us identify these two actors as TOM and JERRY. Tom is smart even if he doesn’t flaunt it except in his actions when perturbed. Jerry on the other hand is full of hot air and exuberance, flexing muscle at every given opportunity. Now Jerry feels that the Douglas House is a traditional abode of the Cats and that Mice are unwelcome. Now Tom never really had issues with Jerry except that the audience of Jerry keeps being attracted to him on account of his Intelligence and smartness, which always comes in handy in times of trouble. Jerry is diplomatic in appearance but brutal at heart. On the other hand, Tom can be brutal when wronged or perceived to be wronged, but considerate at heart.
Jerry is a workaholic especially when there is a lot of material power attached to it. Tom is more of the kind that gets more work done with lesser energy and restlessness. Jerry can get the job done without any moral attachments, just to retain power. On the other hand Tom can call anybody’s bluff when matters hurt his conscience deeply. For some time now Tom’s pedigree as a solution provider throughout the polity has been a source of deep resentment to Jerry, who feels that such popularity could be a major hindrance to his political aspiration to be Oga at the top.
One thing that history has always taught us is that men that are always desperate for power are never respectful of leaders including those that mentored them. There is nothing wrong in anyone aspiring to any office in this country. In fact, someone should please tell GEJ that I am seriously interested in being President of Nigeria. Yes, of course! I am qualified except for not being a member of any political Party. However, the possibility as at now is minimal but there is no sin in dreaming. It is not the dream, hope or wish that makes the man questionable. It is the actions he takes towards such dream.
Any genuine leader knows that God gives power so why should men hate friends of so many years just because they feel that their existence and presence at a particular point in time is an obstacle to realizing power? This is where Tom and Jerry has found selves presently. Jerry needs to realize and very soon too, that Tom is not his problem. He is his own problem. Tom too has his own problems but in his case, it is clear he does not see Jerry as his problem, which implies he is working on his own demons. A problem known is half-solved, as they say. Jerry boy!, stop worrying about Tom. It is a huge distraction you can ill-afford. I am a security consultant and public policy analyst of over seventeen years and I am well experienced to appreciate the huge cost of the current focus of Jerry on Tom. If you are running a Hundred meter dash and keep looking sideways at your rivals, you victory is “UNASSURED”. The question is whether Jerry has it in him to avoid looking at Tom. Not a few strongly believe that the political hate of Tom is engraved in his DNA-that is then a pity.
What we expect Tom and Jerry to be doing now is to focus on governance and ensure that the plans of political opponents to undermine their government do not work. We have entered a precarious political phase when their mentor will need all the energy he can muster for them to wage a counter-offensive against armies mustered from the International, Federal, State and Community fronts-a war that threatens to suffocate the administration at the centre and railroad all the wonderful job that have done in the State these couple of years.
Anybody that thinks Douglas House is his birthright for reasons or factors that we were not party to as Imolites, insult our sensibilities and will surely fail. I am really less interested in who become Douglas House lord than I am in the pedigree of such individual. Tom needs to mellow down on his temper and isolated acts of defiance, which hide his considerate nature and leadership skill. Jerry on the other hand had already shown what he could do with power, both positively and negatively. If he can correct the general impression of him as very selfish person and not being a team player, then his prospects for Douglas House lightens up.
I am sounding this alarm now for Imolites to be alert. It is not just about Tom and Jerry but also all politicians. We must watch out for clear acts of desperation, not in actions meant to defend self but those designed to antagonize another. Right now it appears that Tom is exercising caution but Jerry has clearly activated the full machinery of war as can be clearly seen daily on the pages of all newspapers irrespective of their sentiments. Imolites should use the Tom and Jerry Saga to learn how to, or how not to be a leader.
We should look for those leaders who will not be afraid of our growth; leaders who will not fear the gifts that God has put in us; leaders who will NOT see such gifts as a threat but one meant to benefit humanity including them; leaders who apply fairness in leading their people; leaders who do not smile at you when you are facing them but eyeball you when you turn to leave their side; leaders who know that the fate and destiny of their subjects is not for them to dictate and determine but for God’s hallowed hands to weave; leaders who will work well even with their worst enemies so far as it will benefit the people; leaders who have families that can tell them when to stop or start for the sake of the people.
The lives of Tom and Jerry has been an open book in recent years, so Imolites don’t need being told who each person truly is-Imolites know already. You reap what you sow. Tom is well known and so is Jerry too. Even now, I could bet anyone that those familiar with these two could easily differentiate between them who is Tom and who is Jerry. One may wonder how anyone could do so when there is really no inherent clue? It is quite simple. People know the truth and when they match the truth here to the truth they know, the befitting profile emerges, whether on the positive or negative note. That is the power of truth. The Truth Is The Truth! Praise God! So I have avoided being perceived as sponsored but that which your own mind makes up on its own, definitely cannot be said to be sponsored. To God Be The Glory!
Truly Douglas House is burning-burning with the breath of Tom and Jerry! Who Will Quench This Fire? Is it Owelle? Is It The Duo Themselves? Is It The People? Is It The Opposition? Time Will Surely Tell.
NB: If you wish you may divide article into Parts 1 and 2 for space
