By Dr Austin Uganwa
Akin to several People’s Democratic Party governorship primaries held
across the country last Monday, Imo state own has also come and gone
leaving on its trails tough contest, appreciable records and forecasts
that came to pass.
Days and even hours before the PDP Imo gubernatorial primaries was held
most political watchers were unmistakable about one fact, namely; that
Hon Emeka Ihedioha , Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives would carry
the day. Even though they also acknowledged that Senator Ifeanyi Ararume
and Former Governor Ikedi Ohakim were key contenders
This explained why when Ihedioha arrived at the entrance of Dan Anyiam
Stadium, Owerri venue of the event at about eleven in the morning, he was
heralded by a large crowd. The crowd surged rejoicing to catch a glimpse
of him, chanting solidarity songs. He waved, bewitching soft smiles, in
apparent recognition of the cheers
Radiating in total aura of confidence, Ihedioha struck a picture of an
Army General sure-footed of winning a fierce battle. The election which
commenced at about 11 am with accreditation of delegates on Local Council
basis was a study in transparency, openness, orderliness and tranquility.
The security operatives were on top of their job, ensuring that law and
order were instituted throughout the duration of the process
This reality provided the delegates the desirable conducive environment to
cast their votes freely and evidently wisely. Shortly before midnight the
chairman Imo state PDP Governorship Primaries Committee, Hon Tengu Tsegba
was ready to announce the result. After announcing the figures polled by
each of the aspirants; he announced Ihedioha winner of the primaries to
the admiration of many
Ihedioha polled 346 votes to emerge the flag bearer of PDP in Imo state
gubernatorial election slated for February next year. His closest
opponents, Senator Ifeanyi Ararume and Chief Ikedi Ohakim, former Governor
of Imo state scored 336 and 213 respectively to be placed second and third
positions
Ihedioha captured the reasons behind his choice by the delegates thus:
“It is as a result of your trust and confidence in me that I was elected
as the PDP Governorship flag bearer in the 2015 general election”.
To him, the election was one of the best primaries ever conducted by any
electoral committee of the party. “It was the most painstaking, thorough,
transparent and credible primary election ever conducted in the history of
primary elections of any political party in Imo State”, he said
Evidently, the emergence of Ihedioha as PDP governorship flag bearer in
Imo state is symbolic in many respects. This is the first time since
inception of this political dispensation in 1999 that a serving Deputy
Speaker of the House of Representatives would clinch the PDP gubernatorial
ticket in spite of their efforts in that direction
Chibudon Nwuche who was Deputy Speaker, 1999 to 2003 was the first to
pursue the PDP governorship ticket in Rivers state. He failed in the bid
losing to the incumbent Governor Peter Odili at that time. Austin Opara
who succeeded Nwuche also tried his hand at securing the governorship
ticket of Rivers state. Even though he was the clear choice of the people
of the state; Odili who was the Governor single handedly stopped him,
instead gave the ticket to Rotimi Amaechi, who has been the Governor since
2007
Usman Nafada who was Deputy Speaker, 2007 and 2011 was similarly unlucky.
He also failed in his sustained efforts at getting the PDP governorship
ticket in Gombe state to run for 2011 gubernatorial election. Apparently,
the Imo reality has in no small way broken the growing jinx, a huge
source of comfort for future occupiers of the exalted Office of Deputy
Speaker
Ihedioha has remained consistent in PDP since inception, unlike several
other aspirants. Since 2011 when PDP lost Imo state to All Progressives
Grand Alliance(APGA), Ihedioha has been the leader of the PDP in the
state and one of the major financial pillars, resulting in the survival
of the party during the trying period
Using his position as Deputy Speaker, he has been synonymous with
empowerment programmes especially for vulnerable women and youths in the
state, attraction of infrastructural development projects, distribution of
education facilities and equipment in the state. Not a few political
watchers believe that these realities contributed immensely to his
emergence as PDP guber flag bearer of the state.
Armed with PDP governorship ticket, Ihedioha faces a bigger challenge of
dislodging Governor Rochas Okorocha’s All Progressives Congress government
in next year’s election. He appears set to achieve it. He has started by
reaching out to his opponents during the primaries, delegates and all
party stakeholders and indigenes of Imo state to join him as a united
force in the struggle to reclaim Imo.
In a move to bring all stakeholders under one umbrella ahead of 2015 guber
elections, he states: “I appeal to all my brothers and sisters who
contested with me, all the delegates, PDP members and all indigenes of Imo
in all walks of life to rally behind me and all other PDP Candidates for
various positions, towards ensuring that the party records wide-ranging
and resounding victory in Imo State in 2015 General Elections”
Dr Austin Uganwa, wrote from Owerri