The spill over effects of last weekend’s electoral victory of Mr Peter Ayodele Fayose of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, against the incumbent, Dr Kayode Fayemi, who is of the All Progressive Congress, APC, is also being witnessed in Imo state.
In the latest development, the All Progressive Congress members in Imo state, especially those in the inner caucus of the ruling Rescue Mission government are expressing shock and disappointment over the outcome of the Ekiti polls.
Trumpeta learnt that while those who travelled with the governor and other Imolites received the information with regret, the defeat of the incumbent who is of the APC sent cold shivers down their spines.
It was however gathered that Okorocha who saw the hand writing on the wall after the last minute campaign in Ado Ekiti, the state capital hurriedly left to Turkey with the chosen Imo citizens for the said trade ad economic mission. Dependable sources with the team in Turkey revealed that Fayemi’s loss jolted the Governor and other APC eggheads in the abroad trip adding that it was a solemn moment among the group in Turkey when results were made public.
At the home front, Government House sources also revealed that a pin drop silence reigned while discussion concerning Fayemi’s disastrous outing was observed in hushed tones by groups of persons.
Trumpeta was told that what disturbed Okorocha camp was that the loss of a core Yoruba state to PDP could be APC’s funeral in the South East states which had already showed distasteful gestures to the party in the past like the Anambra elections where a popular candidate, Chris Ngige could not pull through to win last year’s governorship election as APGA’s Willie Obiano emerged victorious.
APC faithful in Imo are of the opinion that the party is doomed in Igboland if Yorubas will reject it in the case of Ekiti and Fayemi.
Another factor that worried APC members was that Fayemi’s incumbency could not stop PDP influence in the area as the party could not even secure victory in any of the 16 LGAs of Ekiti state.
More disturbing is the psychological effect the defeat has given to again to Okorocha followers in Imo electoral contest. Since he became Governor in 2011, even under an Igbo-oriented APGA, it has been a woeful outing. It would be recalled that while in APGA in 2012, the governor’s candidate, Chidi Ibe lost out in the re-run of Ahiazu/Ezinihitte federal constituency seat against Hon Raphael Nnanna Igbokwe, while it was also a disappointing fortune in the case of Oguta state Assembly bye-election where Okorocha favoured Walter Uzownanne of APGA could not excel against PDP, in June 29, 2013 election. The fear is that APC may not fly in Igboland in 2015 and any attempt to use it as a ladder may witness negative repercussions.
In a related development, the Imo state chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the PDP’s victory in Ekiti as a moral booster to take over Imo state and calls for all hands die is on deck towards its efforts to win democratically in all elections under relevant electoral laws and guidelines.
Bar Nnamdi Anyaehie the Imo PDP chairman revealed this while addressing the 27 LGA chairmen of PDP and state party working committee in the state secretariat while congratulating the trio of President Goodluck Jonathan, PDP Party and the people of Ekiti state for embracing the real change.
Sir Anyaehie said the world is now a living witness to the gains of electoral reforms put in place and driven by President Jonathan describing the Ekiti election as the freest, fairest and the most transparent gubernatorial election in our recent history. He also toasted that it is the beginning of good things to come not only to PDP but to the Nation in general
Moreso, the PDP boss commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Security Agencies for the successful and peaceful conduct of the elections in Ekiti state and also congratulated the newly elected Governor Chief Ayo Fayose on his overwhelming and resounding victory. He commended the out going governor Dr Kayode Fayemi for quickly accepting defeat as a true democrat and sportsman as this would add fillip to the efforts of re-educating Nigerians that are seeking elective position that it is not a do or die affair.
He urged Imo PDP members to brace up to the challenges of bequeathing upon Imo state and her residents a new and credible administration that would be obedient to Nigeria’s constitution of, rule of law and due process.
