2015: Who Carries The Cross Of Owerri Zone. Benito Musolini, the Italian World war 11 Prime Minister said war sets the seal of nobility on those who have the courage to face it . Mussolini’s motivational speech became the propelling factor that made his countrymen to give in their all during the war that later shaped the mordern world. Mussolini’s views connotes the political situation in Owerri zone. For two years running, the people of Owerri zone have echoed its determination and readiness to produce the governor of Imo State in 2015. They have said it in Emekuku, echoed in Osina and sang in Ihube. They have even whispered to the angels in heaven that they are the weeping child of the Imo political family and the only consolation is to produce the next occupant of Government House, Owerri For the first time in the political evolution of Owerri zone, relevant stakeholders of the zone insist 2015 is the year of political manifestation and any short of it is unacceptable to their people . Like the North who say they must stop President Goodluck Jonathan from seeking a second term in office in 2015 and are bent on realising their political desires, the people of Owerri zone have exhibited similar characteristics and tendency. Like a marginalized people feeling the pang of marginalization, only the governorship seat of the State will convince them that they remain part of the eastern heartland. The case of Owerri zone is reminiscent of a primary school child that has failed to pass entrance examinations to gain admission into secondary school, Owerri zone seems have done its home work and have taken sufficient exta mural lessons to to ensure it succeeds in the next exams. But are they good to go when those expected to carry the cross of the people are shying away from the contest? Aside Capt Emmanuel Iheanacho, the former Minster of Interior, who has announced to the world that he wants to take over from Rochas Okorocha in 2015, the ambition of other contenders from the zone exist within the realm of speculation. The ambitions of those interested in the race are still shrouded in secrecy.While they console themselves in the fact that 2015 is far away and time is not ripe yet for politicking, they forget that such political attitude can be counter productive.. Capt Iheanacho cannot carry the cross of the people alone!. Political procrastination, delay tactics and indecision has been the undoing of the zone . Since1999, what we have seen are reluctant governorship aspirants who wait till thy kingdom come before declaring their aspirations. We have seen eleventh hour guber aspirants that are either waiting for political anointing from the forces at Abuja or anticipating a “clarion call” from the people before they plunge into the guber race. This is a defeatist approach and it is unfortunate that such political trait has continued to manifest in the political character of some top politicians of the zone who are whispering to close political associates, family members and allies that they are aspiring to be governor of Imo State. I have this conviction that the race for 2015 guber in Imo State will be dicey. It might not have the same colouration with what was obtained in the political dispensations of 1999 and 2003 that were less less intense. That of 2015 will be keenly contested, fierce and intense. In 1999, it was an open race and less competitive as most politicians shied away from the contest unsure if the democratic experiment contrived by the Abdulsalami Abubakar led military adminstration will be successful or not. In 2007, we saw a different scenario, a charged political atmosphere that compelled then Governor Achike Udenwa to lose focus of the political compass of the State. We saw a governor that was unable to install his successor due to the political temperament of the State at that time. It was too hot for comfort for the then governor. In 2011, we saw an incumbent Governor, Ikedi Ohakim loose to Rochas Okorocha, an old political warhorse who never hid aspiration to govern the State. For the first time in the political evolution of the South East geo political zone, an incumbent governor was defeated in an election. That is how fierce the Imo governorship race can be ! Only the prepared can absorb the heat of the contest or inotherwords, the political rumble in the State. Every political era in Imo State has been fierce and competitive. The governorship race inclusive. Imo State is the only State in the federation where all the three geo political zones produce aspirants for the governorship contest. It is the only State where governorship elections have been conducted more than once to produce a winner. It happened in 2007 and 2011. Therefore, Owerri zone cannot sit down and expect to take power when some of its best brains are either dilly-dallying or have engaged themselves in political procrastination. This is the time to leap into the political stage to contest for the governorship of the State. Political power is not given but taken. And it is not for the lilly- livered who are either afraid of their political destination or unsure of what they want to accomplish. Whipping up the marginalization sentiment alone cannot attract sympathy for its cause or compel other zones to concede or surrender the governorship seat of the State. It cannot give the zone the governorship seat on a platter of gold. Gone are the days capturing political power is rooted on sympathy alone. Due to the depth of political sophistication in the State, any serious contender from Owerrizone must be seen to have tact, strategy and commitment to overcome the numerous political landmines on the path to power. The South East zone has severally brandished the gospel of marginalization for long yet it has been unable to dissuade other geo political zones in the country from conceding the presidency to the region on a platter of gold. This is the scenario in Imo State. At a time the zoning of political positions is gradually not appealing anymore to Imolites, Owerri zone cannot afford to anchor the actualization of its intention by continoulsy propounding the zoning gospel. The zoning jingle has given way to another song. That is the song of performance. Imolites seem to have aligned themselves to the concept of voting in and out those who either performed well or poorly in office. This is the acceptable political norm across the globe, nay Imo State. Based on this premise, it is therefore important that Owerri zone encourage governorship aspirants who posses sterling leadership qualities, tested and trusted men and women whose track record in various fields of human endeavour can serve as a powerful tool to convince Imolites that they truly deserve to produce the next governor of the State in 2015. I anchor my postulations on the basis that the next governorship election in the State will not be determined either by the factor of zoning or whatever form of political sympathy. This is why it is imperative Owerri zone present candidates who have the courage, tenacity to confront other challegers for the governorship seat from other geo political zones of the State. Only an Owerri zone governorship aspirant irrespective of the political party he or she belongs that is acceptable to the people of Orlu and Okigwe zones that can make headway in the next guber elections in Imo State. The emergence of governor Rochas Okorocha as Imo state governor in 2011 serves as a veritable case-study. His aspiration shattered the barriers of zoning and other primordial political considerations. And because Imolites believed in his political message at that time, he won the governorship contest based on the support of the masses. Okorocha’s emergence opens a new chapter in the book of politicking in Imo State. it shows that only those who posses the right message for the people can win elective office, especially the governorship race. This is the time Owerri zone and its governorship hopefuls climb the political podium, sieze the moment and convince Imolites why it is their turn to produce the next governor of Imo State. A stitch in time saves nine. I rest my case.
Posted on: Mon, 10 Jun 2013 21:45:41 +0000
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