On May 29, 2015, Douglas House in Imo State will play host to a baggage free brand new Governor. The fresh Governor will emerge from one of the two distinct groups in Imo State politics, made up of Fifteen [15] identified candidates. Nine [9] politicians out of the two identified groups can be as analogue or old political activists, the rest six [6] are digital or new political activists.
In the mix are politicians like, immediate past governor, Ikedi Ohakim, Senator Chris Anyanwu, Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, Senator Hope Uzodinma, Emmanuel Iheanacho, Professor Jude Njoku, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha. Others are, Martins Agbaso, Tony Ezenna, Festus Odimegwu, Ben Njemanze, Humphrey Anumudu, and so on. Ordinarily, it will be politically naive for anybody to write off any of the two sets of politicians identified here as pretender to Imo State governorship seat in 2015, because of lessons of our political history in Nigeria. OF THE TWO IDENTIFIED SETS OF POLITICIANS IN DISCOURSE HERE, THOSE WITH BAGGAGE WILL SURELY GET SHOCKER OF THEIR LIVES IF THEY STRAY INTO IMO STATE GOVERNORSHIP CONTEST.
In an ideal situation, one can pitch his tent with any of the two groups of acknowledged politicians and still marshal out sound argument in favour of the group. For the new breed of politicians, their arguments on why the old ones should give way are legion. First, is the case that older politicians cannot cope with the rigors of the work of executive governor of a State as a result of old age. Secondly, new breed politicians believe that older politicians lack the innovative power to take the State to the next level developmentally because of their conservative and obsolete approach to governance.
On the other hand, proponents of the older breeds are always of the view that experience which is an asset is the joker these set of politicians have and can be used to turn things around if voted into power. Proponents also believe that old politicians have no urgent needs to satisfy in short, medium and long run, to warrant meddling into the finances of the State at the expense of development. According to them, older politicians have finished training their wards in school, just as they have finished taken care of issues that may lead them into stealing government funds. Also, proponents believe that older political activists can boast of huge financial war chest to prosecute elections, and that is why they have succeeded in staging dramatic comeback to offices they left before in some instances.
In many instances where older politicians staged dramatic comeback to power after leaving offices, according to supporters of analogue politicians, were as a result of the factors enumerated in the preceding paragraph. Of note here is the political exploit of late Senator Evans Ewerem in Imo State. As we know, he was one time governor of Imo State and later became Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State was voted out in 2003, but he staged a comeback to the office in 2011. In recent past, former governor of Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu, served as a governor in the administration of General Ibrahim Babangida, he too, staged a return to Luggard House in 1999 still as a governor. Of recent in Ekiti State is the return of Ayo Fayose as the governor elect of the State, on account of the governorship election he won.
Here in Imo State, critics may want to know why Senator Nzeribe has taken it upon himself to pontificate on who should govern the State in 2015. Should this question arise, it will be an interesting poser. In the last three [3] governorship elections in Imo State, I looked the other way when the governors were being installed by outsiders. In this very project of seeing that decent and straightforward politician takes over the mantle of leadership in Imo State, I will never look away again. I made genuine mistake in the past and kept quiet, this time around, it will be undemocratic, if not immoral and cowardice of me to keep quiet.
I know those politicians who will not rule Imo State in 2015. In-fact, we don’t want those that will run our economy down to file out either as pretenders or as contenders to the governorship seat in the State in 2015. Those whose agenda are to buy and fuel private jets, build intimidating Estates in choice places like, Ikoyi in Lagos State, and as well as in the heart of Federal Capital Territory[FCT], at the expense of the State will not get near Douglas House. Surely, Imo State will not fall on the hands of those who want to continue to own houses in strategic areas in the United States of America [USA], England, Dubai, Canada and so on and so forth. Also, those who purchased and own private Banks in tax haven countries abroad will not be allowed to govern Imo State come 2015. The dubious politicians maintaining fat foreign accounts in different hard currencies will not come near Douglas House in 2015.
What Imo State urgently requires today above any other thing, is a baggage free candidate that will win primary election, goes ahead to win the governorship election proper, and then provide good governance and leadership; irrespective of where he or she comes from. Senator Francis Arthur Nzeribe, is not just making wild statements, the evidence are there, when the time comes, we shall see. This time around, I and the other like minds [stakeholders] will not sit and watch Imo State looted. Money will not be an issue for stakeholders in the project of purging Douglas House of looters. Already, the stakeholders have come together and consultations are continuing. Purging Imo State government house of treasury looters is a task that must be done. Imo State is no longer for sell!!
Signed:
Senator [Chief] Arthur Nzeribe
“Haven of peace” Oguta, Imo State, Nigeria.
P. O. Box 170.
