Let me sincerely apologize for the repetition of this particular topic last week. It was based on popular demand. Some readers who I suspect were thrilled by the reigning kukere music and dance requested for a repeat. Before I enter into the concluding part this week, it is pertinent to inform readers that a concerned reader called my attention to say that the music I am referring to is called Etighi dance and not Kukere. However, she said that Kukere satisfies the commentary therein.
To refresh the memory of those at lost on the kukere story and relationship with Chief Eugene Dibiagwu, who is having a running battle with some powerful forces ostensibly enjoying government support to stop him from being sworn in after overcoming legal hurdle and victory during the August 8, 2012 bye – election in Oguta state constituency, Rt. Hon Ben Uwajumogu, Speaker and Imo Assembly members who are at the epicenter of the controversy, the tactics and modus operandi employed by the warning parties to outwit each other over the swearing – in saga is what I dub the Kukere dance.
Another major party poised to carry the gold medal in the kukere dance show, is His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha. Owelle’s interest in the lingering battle for who represents Oguta in the state Assembly ignites more fireworks in the power tussle. It is a common believe in some quarters that the Governor’s interest may have induced the APGA controlled leadership of the House to frustrate Dibiagwu. Owelle’s interest may have led to the hurried adjournment of Imo House when it was discovered that Dibiagwu has fulfilled all conditions stipulated for swearing – in, and the subsequent long adjournments by the House, including the recent compulsory trip to South Africa by the state lawmakers. Speculations about Okorocha’s interest were rife until few weeks ago when the Governor had a breakfast meeting with members of the Independent Newspapers Publishers Association, INPA, which yours truly is part of, where he confirmed his interest in the lingering matter. According to the head of the Rescue Mission government, who also joined the Kukere rockins, Dibiagwu winning the Oguta Assembly seat and been sworn – in is not the issue. Rather, he as the Governor is the target of some other powerful opposition forces employing all known and unknown machinations to unseat him in office. Okorocha told print media owners that INEC is playing double standard over the Oguta Assembly seat as there was no reason for the electoral body to conduct a bye – election in four wards only on Saturday Aug 8, 2012 when it had declared the Tuesday April 26, 2011 election inconclusive. The Governor said that by recognizing the Aug 8, 2012 bye – election and eventual swearing – in of Dibiagwu will put his Supplementary Election victory in jeopardy. Okorocha went further to disclose that one of his major challengers, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume of ACN, is in court to rubbish the Supplementary Election and the likes of Ikedi Ohakim has asked to be joined in the case as he came second according to the guber result. Okorocha claimed that his challengers are trying to exploit an imaginary rift between him and the Presidency to plot his removal. Propelled by survival instinct, Okorocha may have secured the services of some macabre dancers to join the Kukere boogie. And the new joiners are some willing party leaders of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP, who rushed to Federal High Court, in Portharcourt, to seek A fresh order restraining Speaker Uwajumogu, Imo House and Clerk from swearing – in Dibiagwu. This was after their parley with Governor Okorocha at the Government House Owerri. Even when an earlier court in Orlu Judicial Division presided over by Justice Orijiako had vacated an earlier order by Justice Ngozi Opara, three parties including APGA went to court for a fresh order. In what looked like the hands of Esau in the matter, some of the parties who joined APGA to ask court not to swear in Dibiagwu were reported to have met with the state governor before going to court. In a Kukere style, the affected parties again secured the services of the learned legal luminary, Niyi Akintola (SAN) who is handling state government cases, for the matter. The parties surreptitiously proceeded to the Federal High Court in Portharcourt, but were disappointed when their requests were not granted. Instead the court asked that all parties involved be noticed before the next adjourned date. The case was however transferred back to the Federal High Court, Owerri, for accelerated hearing.
Apparently aware that no legal impediments would stop the member – elect for Oguta from getting accepted as a lawmaker in the House, the state legislature announced a decision to embark on a foreign strip for “legislative experience”.
TheSouth Africaexperience is a welcome development as it is not unusual trip in the history of the state legislature as capacity building for lawmakers in other climes has always been a periodic exercise. What however disturbed keen watchers of State Assembly events was the manner the overseas legislative function was arranged and the mandatory order attached to it. Some of the lawmakers who had no plans to travel abroad were hurriedly packaged to move out to avoid sanctions and blackmail.
When it became obvious that the trip was a mirage as few days to the scheduled Sept 18 resumption date as the lawmakers were still in their offices in Owerri, a dying minute effort was ignited to get visas and air tickets for the lawmakers trip abroad. With no court stopping Dibiagwu’s swearing – in and House of Assembly members back to Owerri after the South Africa short refresher course, the Kukere dance has continued as the fate of the Oguta member – elect is still unknown.
While this kukere dance is gaining momentum among the key dancers with concerned parties poised not to be shoved aside in the show, who are at the receiving end of this political imbroglio? If the APGA – led government knew the implication of Dibiagwu’s Aug 8, 2012 bye election victory and issuance of INEC certificate of Return necessary for swearing – in why did it not go to court to stop the bye – election or ask INEC not to issue the Certificate of Return pending the determination of the case in court? The present members of the House may also receive knock for their ignominious role in the whole saga. The state lawmakers undoubtedly exhibited legislative shortcomings ineptitude by putting into vote a question whether to swear – in Dibiagwu or not during one of their plenary session. The Uwajumogu led members may enter into Guinness Book of Records for putting into vote a constitutional matter that has legal implication since the matter was before a competent court of jurisdiction as at the time the motion rejecting Dibiagwu’s swearing – in was passed. By implication, the state legislature will require another resolution to vacate the earlier motion before the Oguta Assembly member elect would be allowed to sit on the hallowed chambers with his colleagues. While this drama continues, Oguta people are surely at the receiving end of the show.
Never in the history of Imo state has a constituency being denied representation from inauguration due to a political impasse. Seventeen months after, Oguta, one of the two oil producing councils with some of the finest brains, achievers and high profile personalities in Nigeria and the world have nobody to either speak for them in Imo House or cater for their needs in the legislative arm of government. If democracy simply means “government of the people, by the people and for the people, presently, are the people of Oguta captured in our nascent democracy? What is the offence of Oguta people for being denied representation in Imo House? Does it mean that the fat salary paid to state lawmakers, the Prado Jeep gift, personal aides empowerment and other privileges due to a lawmaker and his constituency are not good for one of the areas that lays the “Golden egg” for Imo people? Why would the people be denied their right due to selfish struggle power show? Nobody has briefed Oguta people over what is happening in Imo House while other constituencies enjoy constituency briefings from their lawmakers. Like the common adage which states that “where two elephants are fighting, the grass will suffer” it is the good people Oguta that are at the bearing the brunt of the endless power show. Permit me to recall that the political history of the state Assembly cannot be complete without observing that a House was inaugurated at the beginning of a legislative four – year tenure without Oguta constituency having a lawmaker. If Owelle is afraid that Dibiagwu’s swearing – in will hitherto somersault the “Supplementary Election that brought an APGA governor to power, why allow Oguta people pay the price? Is it not a case of robbing Peter to pay Paul? There are many questions to answer in this matter. There is need to intimate all the gladiators in this kukere dance that Ndi Igbo will say that “Onye si, imi nkita di ya mma, ka ebe cha pu ta ka omi chaa” (Anybody who fancies the nose of a dog should take it to lick) The whole scenario may sound funny but the interest of Oguta is at stake. They have missed a whole year without anybody speaking their voice. No Oguta person went toSouth Africa while the remaining 26 councils had their persons in the Mandela land. Who will nominate the three roads state lawmakers are expected to list for completion by the state government? Maybe Prof Anthony Anwuka, the SSG, will do it since he is the highest ranking political office holder from the area in the present state government. Who will monitor and protect the interest of oil producing areas, especially the activities of oil companies operating in the area and ISOPADEC, an interventimist agency for Oguta and Ohaji/Egbema areas since, Hon Luke Chukwu who represents Ohaji /Egbema is in-charge of House Committee on Agriculture? Does the non swearing – in of an Oguta lawmaker an ominous sign of danger for the oil producing communities in Imo and a calculated plot to annihilate the people? Again, there are so many questions that need answers. One is surprised that the area that produced the likes of retired Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, the late super Perm Sec of repute Sir A. Nwapa, frontile politician and old war horse, Ogbuagu Francis Arthur Nzeribe, Ogbuagu Mayor Nzimiro, first Mayor of Portharcourt City, Legendary sociologist, Prof Ikenna Nzimiro of Uniport fame Elder statesman, Ogbuagu Philip Udom and Gogo Nwakuche of Lake Constructions, Enugu, famous female writer, Flora Nwakuche and first female doctor in Africa, Dr Priscillia Nzimiro should be denied dividends of democracy.
Any where the famous NPP chairman, Chief RBK Okafor of the blessed memory who made politics of Imo and indeed Oguta thick is by leading Chief Sam Mbakwe to victory back – to back, would be in tears over the political denial meted to his people. Time shall tell and the people will know whose ass shall receive alignment after the kukere dance.
