How Elechi Lost Out in the Equation In what appears one of the biggest upsets in the current process, the Ebonyi State Governor, Martin Elechi, has practically lost out on all fronts, writes Benjamin Nworie As political activities of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State reached its crescendo following the governorship primary, the crisis which has bedevilled the party over leadership struggle may soon be a thing of the past with the governor, Chief Martin Elechi, now a spectator in the game. And with his deputy, Dave Umahi, as the issue in the contest as well as the big political bourgeoisie, it has turned the political history of the state against imposition and impunity The governorship primary, which was keenly contested by seven aspirants, was adjudged to be free and fair and peaceful. Umahi, in a landslide victory won with a total of 541 out 592 votes. Security operatives were seen at strategic positions to ensure that there was no breakdown of law and order. The election was conducted by a panel headed by Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose. Apart from Umahi, other aspirants were Senator Paulinus Igwe Nwagu, Paul Okorie, Chief Hyacinth Ikpor, Chief Ajah Nwachukwu, Chief Ude Omanta and Senator Offia Nwali. Elechi’s anointed candidate and former Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, however boycotted the primary because Elechi had announced that they would not be part of the primaries following the disenchantment that dogged the delegates’ list. Prior to the election, Elechi was alleged to have said the leadership of the party had postponed the elections to enable the party resolve the lists but elections went on and peacefully, contrary to Elechi’s claims. Since the primaries for various offices which started with the state House of Assembly, it was obvious that the Elechi was alone in the battle. Before the assembly primary, Elechi said he would not partake in the election because of the flaws that characterised the Delegates’ lists, which is still in contention between him and the National working Committee of the PDP. The party has issued a directive which ratified the Umahi congress lists but Elechi insisted that for them to participate in further elections – perhaps, the primaries – the delegate congress should be repeated. Interestingly, when Elechi had not got wind of the authentic lists, as an informed source at the Wadata Plaza revealed, he had reportedly admitted that the congresses went peacefully in the state but all that changed when he eventually saw the list of the delegates from his said peaceful congress. As events unfolded, there were speculations that Elechi was making covert moves to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and later, the Labour Party. An inside source who confided in THISDAY revealed that Elechi and his group had concretised plans to join the Labour Party, LP, but wondered how he secured the support of the people, since the majority of them are workers, who are not in the good book of Elechi. He was said to have been rebuffed by the APC when he approached the party. But whichever party he settles for, Elechi has assured his supporters that all would be well and their mandate would not be stolen. Already, Elechi’s faction of the state executive Committee of the party recently signed advertorials in some national dailies which published the results of their factional delegates. Observers however noted that the first division in the party started with the removal of the acting chairman, Chief Joseph Onwe, on the grounds of alleged medical incapacitation and replacing him with former commissioner for Commerce and Industry under the Dr Sam Egwu administration, Chief Ben Akpa. Since the emergence of Akpa, the party had become polarizsd. Elechi and his anointed successor belong to Akpa’s faction, while other stakeholders in the state including the remaining seven aspirants and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim and Egwu were in Onwe’s NWC recognised leadership. Egwu was said to be angry with Elechi for the latter’s insistence that he preferred his aged in-law, Senator Chris Nwankwo for another term in office. The greatest trouble for Elechi, according to one of the governorship aspirants, is that they have teamed up against Elechi and Chukwu and may do everything humanly possible to ensure Elechi’s defeat. This threat became palpable on Sunday when Elechi lost his senatorial seat to former PDP chairman in the state, Chief Obinna Ogba. Elechi’s heart desire, Chukwu, was purportedly adopted by stakeholders of Abakaliki Political bloc at a meeting presided over by the governor at his lodge. Ever since, the allegation was rife that Elechi did so without any recourse to the opinions of other stakeholders and aspirants in the governorship position in the PDP fold. Lack of thorough consultation, informed sources noted, was responsible for Elechi’s ordeal, although Chukwu may not have been the choice of the masses because according to analysts, he was not a known politician. Again, Elechi was accused of being tight-fisted even among his party men. A PDP governorship aspirant, Senator Offia Nwali was among the stakeholders that have openly faulted Elechi on the choice of Chukwu, when other aspirants and nationalities in the state have not been adequately involved in the entire process. Despite the ploy to frustrate Chukwu by aggrieved members of the party who categorised him as a ‘food is ready politician’, Elechi has stamped his feet on the ground to ensure that he delivers his successor. The choice of Chukwu, opinions revealed, was not bad but the process that led to his emergence negated the principles of democracy and attitudinal change which Elechi has pursued over time. Apart from the strange alliance by the key stakeholders against Elechi, the 28 development centres coordinators recently sacked by Elechi for supporting his opponents, was another big blow on the face of the governor. The sack, according to Observers, further solidified Umahi’s camp. Already, different interpretations have been given to the sack. For instance, Elechi had blacklisted Umahi because of the wave and gravity of his campaigns and the solidarity in and outside the state. And any of his appointees identified to be supporting him was automatically labelled anti- Elechi. The sack of these Coordinators perceived to be romancing Umahi has again infuriated the anger of stakeholders, especially the foot soldiers like the coordinators who contended that if Jonathan must be delivered in Ebonyi, it may be dicey handing the structure of the party to the governor. The crisis in the assembly has been linked to the struggle for the soul of the Green Lake and further compounded Elechi’s problem. Now, there is sharp division among the lawmakers, worst still was the abuse of court orders, restraining Hon. Blaise Orji from parading himself as the Speaker of the House. Despite this, Elechi has continued to identify with Orji and giving him the prominence that befits. In his Executive council and local government systems, there is division as most of the two arms boycotted government functions to register their discontent with the way and manner Elechi is piloting the issue of his successor. With the sack of the 13 council chairmen in the state, Elechi has no foot soldiers to protect his interest in the grassroots. Particularly annoying is Elechi’s alleged leadership impunity where he has administrated without giving a level playing field to other politicians to freely express their ambitions. This increased the support base of Umahi, who was mostly favoured by the people. As the battle for his successor continued, Elechi had tried all he could but the popularity and dexterity of Umahi shifted no ground for him to have any fresh breath because already, the assembly was unapproachable for the governor to use against Umahi, perhaps for impeachment. Undoubtedly, the series of crises in the assembly was linked to the governorship race. The Speaker, Chukwuma Nwazunku was first removed but Elechi flagrantly returned him. The second time when he was perceived to have parted ways with the governor, Nwazunku suffered another impeachment. This time, the Deputy Governor had parted ways with Elechi and Umahi swiftly upgraded the political prospects of the embattled Speaker and further secured his job as Speaker. To get all the lawmakers intact, Umahi was said to have approached Nwazunku to discontinue his return bid to the assembly and pick the form for the House of Representatives, which the Speaker strongly accepted. This made Nwazunku develop more confidence in Umahi against Elechi. Umahi was said to have told the Speaker to use his office and test his political supremacy. Now, not only that Elechi has lost out completely, the lawmakers have reunited to impeach him. THISDAY gathered that the lawmakers are planning to impeach the governor for not accounting to them how he utilised the 16.5 billion naira Bond, which he borrowed from the Capital Market. On the whole, as Umahi takes the ticket of the governorship of PDP, there was wide jubilation in the capital city of Abakaliki for obvious reasons. One, that Umahi has liberated the state from political bondage of impositions and two, that the people can now put their destiny into their own hands by rejecting and accepting any candidate.
Posted on: Wed, 10 Dec 2014 08:36:50 +0000
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