Date Published: 07/09/09
IMO PDP: INCHING TOWARDS RECONCILIATION/CONSOLIDATION
By Maximus Uba
PDP in 1999
Aside Anambra State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, the next other chapter so formed at the flag off of political activities in 1998 by the G34 as headed by Dr. Alex Ekwueme was the Imo State Chapter. Reasons adduced for this development include the fact that the political heavyweights from the State such as Nzeribe, Iwuanyanwu, Enwerem had already pitched their tent with the rival APP so there was need to put something on ground to stop APP from covering the whole ground, besides it was reasoned then that with Imo neighbouring Anambra and home to a quarter of the Ibo elite there was need to carry Imo people along on such an all important political voyage.
ENTER THE CRISIS
The Overbearing interest of Olusegun Obasanjo then a sitting President to emasculate the entire PDP Structure in the Country was perhaps what could account as the first sign of Crisis in a once United Chapter. In no time the PDP in Imo state was polarized along Abuja/Owerri in that while the sitting Governor then Achike Udenwa held one arm, the Abuja group held the other arm. After the 2003 election National Headquarters then sent Alhaji Kashim Imam, to visit Imo State and settle the quarrel between the egg heads in the Party but kashim would rather introduce the innocuous “Kashim Formula” which shared the Local Government Areas among the political heavy weights, a development that helped in no small measure into destroying an already fragmented Chapter. Matters got to a head sometime in 2006 when the Chapter flagged off the primaries to pick candidates for the 2007 election, a situation which became “All men to themselves and the party to no one in particular” a development led to the loss of governorship seat and other strategic positions meant for Imo State
INCHING TOWARDS RECONCILIATION
Having learnt bitter lessons over an unnecessary fight for the soul of PDP, the Government house and other Strategic seats, the Leaders of the party early in April 2009 began making moves to come together in the interest of the party. but the bitter war so fought would not encourage anyone to initiate any level of reconciliation, however maturity which was lurking around the corner then took root but not on an easy note. One the pillars of the party in the State, Senator I.G Araraume had just completed his Multi million Naira Super Market reputed to be best not only in Abuja but in the entire country. To open the place for business he was said to have invited Chief Achike Udenwa, the former Governor of Imo State who leads a veritable/strong arm of the party in the State to come in as Guest of honour at the occasion. Doubting Thomasses had predicted that Udenwa who is presently the Minister of Commerce/Industry under whose portfolio the Commissioning lay would dishonour the invitation but Udenwa, the only man who plays Politics Without bitterness, an art he learnt from his Master, the late Alhaji Aminu Kano not only hounored his friend Senator Araraume but came with his political henchmen, Members of the National/State Assemblies and the Senior crew of the Ministry of Commerce. Doubting Thomases were after this time put in their place as the two friends laughed and rejoiced during the event. But it did not end there, they went on asking themselves “how do we rebuild and consolidate the Imo PDP”, in this direction, private visits had been paid, meetings between the two groups in Imo viz Redemption and Destiny at various levels had been held, rough edges appear to have been smoothen out and the bitterness which has been the hallmark of the Imo PDP since 2005 appears to have taken flight. Now the Imo PDP once a laughing stock among Political class in Nigeria is now one in which the National Headquarters is looking at as one State it is sure to go to bed without losing sleep in 2011
WAY FORWARD : To consolidate the new/fresh beginning that is now Imo PDP, the new Imo PDP has set up a lot of Committees to make for consolidation of the Chapter even as 2011 approaches Some of the Committees so formed include Strategy, Media, Mobilization, Finance as well as Elders Committee. Already the Committees so formed have already began work not for the benefit of anybody but to ensure PDP stands on strong footing to prepare for the election of 2011.
CONSOLIDATION : Part of consolidation plans is for all actors in the game to sink their ambition and work for the reclaiming of the party come 2011. Aside, the reconciliation is aimed at re-engineering the PDP structures at the ward and LGA levels and make the office located along Egbu Road another haven for Imo politicians even as 2011 approaches. Already messages of reconciliation of the two groups are expected to have trickled down the wards with several meeting slated in the first week of July-2007 in all the recognized wards in the State
For now the question on the lips of many analysts, is will the reconciliation between the two big groups in Imo State PDP be enduring and will PDP once again stand out in Imo State as the party to beat even as 2011 approaches, only time will tell.
Maximus Uba Lives in Mbaise.
