Imo 2027: Can Uzodimma break the jinx of installing a successor?
In response Uzodimma has hinted many times that he will hand over power to Owerri Zone.
By Jotham Emenyonu
As 2027 approaches the struggle for which zone takes over power from the incumbent hots up seriously. Power, they say is not given but taken. Governorship position in Imo State since 1999 has been dominated by Orlu zone. By 2027 Orlu would have held power for 24 out of 28 years with their sons Achike Udenwa, Rochas Okorocha, Hope Uzodimma having done 8 years as the number one citizens of the State. Okigwe Zone’s only shot was a 4-year tenure by Ikedi Ohakim. Owerri zone is still left in the cold like an orphan.
Prior to Uzodimma’s tenure one glaring fact that stands out like a sore thumb is that none of the governors have been able to midwife a transition program that successfully transmitted power to a successor groomed by them to continue their activities.
This speaks sorely of the succession plans of each of the governors. The question hanging on the lips of political observers is, can Uzodimma break the jinx? Some are still wondering how Uzodimma is going to respond to this development.
In response Uzodimma has hinted many times that he will hand over power to Owerri Zone. He has also weaved and drummed more attention to the controversial charter of equity as the instrument that will going forward guide the transmission of power in the state.
Interestingly, both actions from the governor have attracted kicks and comments from curious political observers especially those that understand the manipulations that greet the political chase game.
In some circles Governor Uzodimma’s claim to hand over power to Owerri Zone has been criticized in the light of observing democratic tenets. Some argue that on what principle or law is the governor standing to lay claim to authority to handover to a zone of his choice. How would he shut down the right of choice of others especially those from Okigwe. Is he going to manipulate things unchallenged as in rigging in the candidate of his choice? How is he going to make things happen for Owerri?
Besides, speculations are also rife over who is going to be his successor. Rumour mills hold that the governor may be looking in the direction of one of his aides from Owerri Municipal has won the heart of the governor.
There are those who had earlier speculated that the state chairman who is now enjoying a federal board appointment,Macdonald is the preferred candidate. Another source indicate that the governor is keeping everything under wraps and may surprise the speculators.
The other tricky angle to it that may negate the chances of Uzodimma producing a successor is the emergence of better candidates from other parties in Owerri zone. Political pundits argue that the All Progressive Congress (APC) may not be enjoying the goodwill of the people drawing from its poor performance in governance. At both the state and national level its popularity rating is very low in spite of the propaganda to shore up its image. This no doubt will impact on the acceptability of any candidate presented by the party.
Still on poor performance the governors lack of grassroots touch may demarket any person he puts up. APC’s achievement is only in the imagination of those trumpeting it and not on ground. Rural environment that hosts the bulk of Imo population is yet to experience any form of development outside the media noise. Imo people are not fooled and this is visible anywhere you go.
The roads are still terrible in spite of the cries, the school system is long collapsed that even chalks are not found in schools neither are there sufficient teachers etc.
Given the governor’s influence to pick a successor who will cover his tracks and do his biddings the chances of APC producing a candidate that has popular appeal even in the party will be hampered.
The governor drawing from the previous elections does not believe in internal democracy and practices imposition of candidates. The reality speaks for itself. Barring any rigging and undue use of incumbency power APC is not rated as a strong force to reckon with in the polls.
The governorship contests no doubt is a direct confrontation between Imo East (Owerri) and Imo North (Okigwe). Imo people are very discerning in their choice of governor. They know how to punish incumbents who seek to impose candidates on them. Rochas Okoroch’s experience validates this when he sought to impose his in-law on Imo people. While attention seems to be focused on Imo East that is yet to have a shot on the governorship position, Okigwe Zone is jostling to be allowed to complete its remaining tenure after Ikedi Ohakim.
Orlu votes no doubt will determine who steals the show and this is going to be determined by the quality of emerging candidates. So far only few of the old contestants are showing signs of interest to run while a few new names are entering the blocks. In Owerri one name that is hitting the airwaves like hurricane is Chief Chima Amadi. He is the rave of the moment given the manner he is traversing the zone having a handshake with all across class boundaries.
Someone likened his entry with that of Chief Arthur Nzeribe back then when he used helicopter to campaign and touching all nooks and crannies of Imo State. But like Nzeribe how far Amadi will go in spite of his strong pedigree in academics, business and politics is anybody’s guess. Show me your friends and I will tell you the kind of person that you are. Amadi in the opinion of some observers have surrounded himself with some discredited politicians and this may likely rub off on him negatively.
Is he the best candidate? He has the advantage of coming from a section of Owerri zone that is yet to produce a senator or governor for the zone and they have the advantage of number going for them. He seems to have a credible and enticing program that is transformative if implemented. But he has to contend to with crowd pullers like Gov Emeka Ihedioha who is still attracting the sympathy of Imo electorates after he was robbed in the unpopular Supreme Court decision that was greeted with global outrage.
Ihedioha’s seven month show in power was a record performance and Imo people it seems are still rooting for more. He is gradually rebuilding his Rebuild Imo outfit but it is not yet certain on which platform that he is going to run.
Going by experience there are fears that the jinx of too many candidates emerging from Owerri Zone may affect its fortune at the polls. Each time the whistle is blown we have always witnessed numerous aspirants including the serious and the pretenders some of who are there just to rock the boat for others.
An intriguing or rather curious observation is that while it is believed that governorship contest is settled between Owerri and Okigwe Zones as per the charter of equity there are many who do not subscribe to it. It is the reason that we are still seeing aspirants from Orlu who are scheming to run.
The contention is that the charter of equity has no force of law and is not strictly binding on them. There are also those who state the so-called charter been mouthed since the 90’s yet it is flouted with impunity-reason Imo West better organized in terms of political arrangements has been stealing the show.
Some political observers have also queried who are the stakeholders and signatories to the agreement? What is the penance for violation and who is to enforce it and how is it going to be enforced a curious journalist, Ben Akalonu queried. He further asked if the charter was executed by the political leaders in the zone or between the parties in the state. While it is agreed that the charter of equity is good for the state,there are still those who hold the view that it was made up by the governor to enable him sail through his second term bid.
In my own view Uzodimma can only produce a successor if he can hold down all variables that can ensure a free and fair election. Imo people know how to reward performance and make wise choice.
