The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Guber polls

  • Guber polls: Worries over violence in Imo

    As the political parties perfect their last minute preparations for the forthcoming governorship election, Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu, reports that electorate in Imo State are afraid of possible violence arising from the complexities that have shaped the election campaigns

    THIS week’s suspension of the outgoing governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, from the All Progressives Congress (APC) has further heightened the anxiety that has enveloped the state’s polity since the crisis that has threatened the ruling party.

    Okorocha, who until this week had remained the party leader in the state, was suspended by APC’s National Working Committee (NWC) for anti-party activities, a development that has created fears amongst APC supporters over the likely effects on the fortunes of the party in this weekend’s elections.

    Although APC has said the suspension of Okorocha and Governor Ibikunle Amosun will not affect the fortunes of the party in the forthcoming elections, The Nation learnt that the responses of Okorocha and his henchmen give impression that the rivalry between Senator Hope Uzodinma, the APC governorship candidate and loyalists of Okorocha in the state may further heat up the polity during the governorship and House of Assembly elections.

    Okorocha set the mood in his first reaction to the suspension, when he said: “Adams Oshiomhole was determined right from the outset to destroy APC in the Southeast and unknown to party chieftains from the zone who had genuinely supported his chairmanship,” he said.

    He added that Oshiomhole was “playing the politics of 2023 in 2019 and in playing it, he has thrown caution to the wind. In all the Southeast states, there are crises and all arising from the fraudulent manner he conducted the primaries,” he said.

    Reacting to the suspension, APC members loyal to Okorocha also vowed to ignore the NWC’s suspension, thus heightening the tension in the state.

    For example, at a press conference in Owerri, the APC chairman in the state, Daniel Nwafor, said “the suspension of Governors Rochas Okorocha and Ibikunle Amosun was null and void,” as according to him, the suspension did not follow due process.

    Citing APC constitution, Nwafor said the suspension of any member starts from the ward level and not from the National Working Committee.

    Nwafor said “I am here with the APC chairman from Ogboko ward where the governor hails from. There was no letter from the NWC to him to query the governor for any offence. The truth is that Oshiomhole is a man who has no respect for rule of law. He has a penchant for disobeying valid court judgments and orders.”

    It would be recalled that last week’s Presidential and NASS elections in the state was also conducted in a very tensed atmosphere following the brutal assassination of Ifeanyi Ozoemena, the APC Ward Chairman of Logara/Umuohiagu, Ngor Okpala Council Area of the state, few days to the election. Ozoemana was murderd by thugs in front of his family members shortly after he presided over a party meeting.

    Since the crisis that trailed the APC primaries, there has been palpable fear that the elections in the state may be marred by violence.

    Following the inability of Governor Okorocha and the other leaders of APC in the state to resolve their differences over the party’s governorship candidate in this election, informed observers have expressed fear that except the security agencies take extra care to oversee elections in the state, especially the governorship election, the state may be thrown into chaos as the desperate candidates and their supporters may be tempted to reach out to each other’s throat.

    It would be recalled that barely seven months earlier, at the peak of the leadership intrigues in the party, Chief Sunny Ejiagwu (Onaneze), the party’s Chairman in Ideato North Local Government Area, was also reportedly murdered in very worrisome circumstances. As would be expected, the news of his assassination caused panic in the state because he met his violent death shortly after he and 27 others were inaugurated as the party’s local government chairmen after the state APC rescheduled election as ordered by the court.

    Even before the recent assassinations, The Nation had reported that in the entire Southeast geo-political zone, Imo State, which is currently administered by an All Progressives Congress-led government, promises to be the hottest state to watch during the elections.

    Insiders confided to us that this fear is primarily because the disintegration of the political family of the out-going governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, had created so much bad blood that it is feared today that the estranged members of the ruling party in the state, the APC, and some of their estranged members now in other parties may make room for the opposition parties as they are likely to see themselves as the primary political opponents in the contest. If this happens, as is being feared during the governorship and other state elections, it may be difficult to guarantee violent-free elections there.

    We have reported earlier that the political tension in the state could be traced to the high level criticism against the leadership style of Okorocha almost all through his second term in office. This was worsened by the open disagreement of top members of his political family and other stakeholders within the political party over the result of the governorship primaries.

    It would be recalled that the bone of contention was the choice of the governorship candidate, a disagreement that led to a major division between Okorocha and his deputy, Prince Eze Madumere, who is today the running mate to APC’s governorship candidate, Senator Hope Uzodinma. Okorocha had pushed for Uche Nwosu, his son-in-law, who also served as his Chief of Staff, as the party’s candidate, but APC national leadership finally chose Uzodinma with Madumere, as his running mate, a decision that Okorocha has continued to oppose openly.

    Not only had Okorocha condemned the decision of his party’s leadership on the matter, he had continued to back Nwosu, who had since defected to Action Alliance (AA) where he hopes to actualise his ambition.

    Since last December when President Muhammadu Buhari openly declared support for Uzodinma at a rally in Owerri, notwithstanding Okorocha’s disapproval, the complexities of Imo governorship election have become more obvious. This complexity was further emphasised by Okorocha and Nwosu’s AA supporters’ resolve to support Buhari in yesterday’s presidential election but to contest against APC’s candidates in the governorship election. Since Governor Okorocha remains a member of APC, observers wonder how his open support for AA candidate in the coming governorship election will ultimately affect the fortunes of both APC and AA and how it will impact on the polity?

    “The situation is not just complex, we hope it is not an open invitation to chaos. The truth is that in Imo State today, there is confusion, especially among the members and supporters of APC. Some of us do not know who to believe as our known leaders in the state have parted ways and are telling us different things. It will be a miracle if in this circumstance; the forthcoming governorship election in Imo is violent-free. We are not only worried but afraid,” said Mrs. Nkechi Chikezie, a woman leader in Okigwe.

    APC governorship candidate, Senator Hope Uzodinma, has also expressed concern over the complexities that seem to define Imo governorship elections. Uzodinma, who spoke to journalists after the last women rally, said “The world has seen how the governor is working against APC in the state. I want to appeal to the leadership of our great party to look into the matter and take appropriate action. I cannot tell you whether his action is anti-party or not but you could see the response of our members when he made his comments. You people will judge. But I will only tell him that only God, and not him, can make me governor. And I will become governor because Imo people have spoken and God heard their cries. Rochas has only few months to leave Government House and whether he likes it or not, he will leave on May 29, 2019,” he said.

    These concerns, according to Dr. Kingsley Uzoma, confirm the fear in the state today that the ruling party in the state, the APC, may have become the most endangered as a result of the disagreement of its leaders.

    The Nation however reports that in the forthcoming governorship elections, APC is not the only party that is now under tension. The other leading parties have issues that have made the likely outcome of the elections rather difficult to predict. It would be recalled, for example, that the governorship candidates that would contest with APC’s Uzodinma, include the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha (PDP), Senator Ifeanyi Ararume (APGA), Honorable Tony Nwulu (UPP), Linus Okorie (YPP) and of course, Uche Nwosu of AA.

    Backed by Okorocha, there is no doubt that Nwosu will be one of the major frontrunners in the governorship contest. Sources said his campaign was one of the most funded and intense but added that because of the circumstances that threw him up as a candidate, it is feared he may suffer some protest votes not necessarily intended against him as an individual but against the political forces that is desperate to crown him.

    Commenting on the development, Dr. Vincent Nwahunanya said “the campaigns for this year’s elections in Imo were very tough and intriguing. Apart from the fact that all the parties have strong and rich backers, the emergence of AA and its candidate specially helped to spice up the campaigns.  The situation was that Uche, the AA candidate, has enormous financial backing to embark on grassroots campaigns but the long drawn campaign against Okorocha’s plan to impose his son-in-law on Imo people may be the major challenge for the youthful politician. The fear is that most of the people, who would have voted for him ordinarily, may deny him of their votes as protest against the outgoing governor’s brand of politics,” he said.

    Whatever is the case, our investigation shows that the fortunes of Uche and his party, AA, in the governorship election is of special interest to all informed observers of Imo State politics today. Most of the respondents who spoke to The Nation during the week also alleged that the fear that the governorship election may witness unnecessary violence can be traced to the explosive relationship between APC supporters and AA members.

    Another source of concern, we gathered, is the fact that with the implosion in APC, it is yet to be determined which political party is in the majority in Imo State today. It would be noted that unlike Nwosu’s AA, which is a child of recent and intricate circumstances, the other major parties, like PDP and APGA have strong roots in Imo. In 2015, the state had to hold a supplementary election before the serving governor can claim victory.

    Then, the result of the election was declared inconclusive. It was only after the supplementary election that Okorocha was returned re-elected, with Ihedioha of PDP coming second and Emmanuel Ihenacho of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) coming third .

    Today, PDP is still strong but its opponents said it can no longer be described as being very strong in Imo as it was in 2015 because of Okorocha’s dominance in the politics of Imo during this period. Insiders said the only thing the PDP’s governorship candidate, former Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, will need to do to remain on top is to reach out to estranged members of the party in the state so as to have a more united house than APC.

    Already, it is certain that Ihedioha, the PDP candidate, is enjoying support even from unexpected quarters because of the intricacies of this year’s elections in the state, including, but not limited to the quest to realise the Owerri zone’s demand on the governorship seat.

    APGA is another political party with deep roots in Imo. The party’s governorship candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, is also another popular political leader in the state. But with the exit of many popular politicians who contested for APGA ticket, following the circumstances that threw up Araraume, observers are wondering if APGA can still be regarded as a strong contender in the elections?

    Perhaps because of former Governor Ikedi Ohakim’s personal influence, and the agitation of the Okigwe Senatorial District to be allowed to complete its second term, his Accord Party has also become a frontline player.

    With these complex sensibilities, deepened by the in-house fighting in the ruling APC, it can be seen that the forthcoming governorship race in Imo would be as unpredictable as it would be intriguing.

  • Guber polls: Saraki confident of victory

    IN spite of his humiliating defeat during the Presidential and National Assembly elections, Senate President Bukola Saraki is confident of victory for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s governorship candidate Razak Atunwa and other candidates in March 9th governorship and House of Assembly election.

    He urged his supporters not to be discouraged by the outcome of the presidential and National Assembly elections in the state, urging them to troop out en masse to vote for the PDP governorship and House of Assembly candidates come March 9 elections.

    Saraki was given a heroic reception on arrival at the Ilorin International Airport by crowd of supporters.

    He added that the PDP has the number to emerge victorious in the remaining elections.

    Addressing his supporters at the Charity House at his Iloffa GRA residence in Ilorin, the Senate President urged his people to close ranks and work in unison for the PDP in the governorship and house of assembly elections.

    Senator Saraki appealed to his supporters and other aggrieved stakeholders to overlook wherever the system might have erred in the overall interest of Kwara State.

    Saraki reminded them that “those you voted for in anger are not your people and cannot attend to your needs as we, who are your brothers will do.”

    He thanked the people of the state for their support, assuring them that he would always be around to cater for their needs.

    He added “I can’t run away. My covenant with my people transcends politics. I will never abandon my people. We should not fight. I leave everything to God. I will not fight even with those they declared winners of the last weekend’s elections. We must cooperate for the governorship election. Once we do this, we shall win the election.”

    He charged his followers to be more committed like the opposition’s supporters.

    “We should stop internal wrangling. We shall emerge victorious in the remaining election. I’m here to assure you that I shall never abandon you, my people. The people you have voted for are not known to you. We should forgive ourselves and move forward in the interest of our state,” he stated.

  • Guber polls: Worries over violence in Kwara

    With barely two weeks to the gubernatorial and state assembly elections across the country, a number of human rights advocates, observers, security experts and other stakeholders are concerned about increasing violence in the north-central state of Kwara, where the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) are locked in an unusual political battle for the control of the state, reports Dare Odufowokan, Assistant Editor.

    THE people of Kwara were shocked last month when political thugs unleashed unusual violence on many parts of the state, leading to the killing and maiming of persons as well as the destruction of properties across the state. Not a few people expressed concern over what many described as unusual developments in the politics of the north-central state.

    Chief Theophilus Adegboye was a notable member of the Kwara State chapter of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) in the Second Republic. The Offa-born octogenarian also played active politics in the truncated Third Republic when he ran for a seat in the National Assembly on the platform of the defunct Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN). Speaking to The Nation on the spate of violence ahead of the next governorship election in the state, he described it as unprecedented.

    “Let the truth be told, the gladiators must realize that they are dragging Kwara into a serious crisis that may not end with these elections. Too many people are eager to forwent trouble over votings, when they all should be concerned about how we will have a peaceful election. The news we daily hear about killing and maiming are too worrisome and these things didn’t use to happen in Kwara.

    “Election day in Kwara before now use to be like a festival. Nobody think about fighting. We all want to enjoy the holiday and laugh over the eventual outcome. You will see opposition politicians laughing and gisting together before, during and after the election. I recall that we use to sit under the same canopy, UPN and NPN chieftains in Offa alike, and nobody fights anybody.

    “But since the advent of this 2019 general election campaigns, it has been violence all over the place. It is unfortunate. It is so bad that people are now very afraid to even think of going out and vote. The gladiators must be told to end these killing and maiming of persons as well as the destruction of properties across the state. That is not what Kwara politics is known for. We are known for the drama we bring into our political contests, not killings,” he explained.

    AbdulAziz Imam, a program officer with the Voters’ Rights Network (VRN) in Ilorin, said even the rhetorics that have emanated from political actors since campaign started have largely been violent. He accused both chieftains and members of both the ruling PDP and the opposition APC of fueling hate and enmity with the speeches they have been making on their campaign trails.

    “We have not seen much of the singing and dancing that Kwara politics has been known for over the years. The dramatic flowing rhetorics of politicians like Olusola Saraki, Cornelius Adebayo, Josiah Olawoyin, Shaaba Lafiagi, and many others of that glorious era, have been replaced by violent threats, abusive innuendos, barefaced curses and outright attacks on persons during campaigns,” he lamented.

     

    Unending blood-letting

    Last Wednesday, the All Progressives Congress (APC) petitioned security agencies over the alleged attack on Lola Ashiru, its senatorial Candidate for Kwara South. Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, the APC National Publicity Secretary made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja. He said the alleged attacks, which occurred in Ojoku town in Kwara South Senatorial District of the state left no fewer than eight persons injured, while two others were shot dead.

    Issa-Onilu noted that the Palace of the Olojoku of Ojoku, HRH Oba Abdulganiyu Adegboyega Afolabi was not spared in the attacks, saying that the monarch was also stoned. He called on security agencies to fish out and arrest the masterminds of the attack, who he said have since gone into hiding. Issa-Onilu added that such crimes could not be swept under the carpet in the name of politics, adding that the mastermind and his accomplices must face the law for their involvement.

    Sources at the scene of the incident vowed that the attack was specifically against supporters of Ashiru, who was leading a campaign rally to the palace of the traditional ruler of Ojoku. Ojoku is the hometown of Senator Ibrahim of the PDP, who is seeking re-election. “The attack was caused some hoodlums ordered the APC campaigners to stop the chant of their political slogan, “O to ge” (it’s enough).

    “Soon, some youths gathered and started chanting ‘O tun ya’ (one more time) the PDP slogan, leading to a confrontation between the two camps. The APC campaign team came under a serious attack during which various dangerous weapons were used. Some people died and many people were injured in the melee that followed. Even the royal father and his people were not spared,” a source claimed.

    Barely 24 hours after the Ojoku attack, news filtered in that the convoy of the vice president Yemi Osibajo was attacked by political thugs who fired gun shots at the APC campaign train. The thugs fled immediately after the shooting spree. Reporting the incident and calling on the police to halt the attacks on its chieftains, the APC said the brazen attack on the Vice President was the height of intolerance.

    Rafiu Ajakaiye, media aide to APC governorship candidate in the state, Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, said “We condemn the brazen attack today in Ilorin on the convoy of the Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo by armed PDP thugs, culminating in life-threatening gunshot injuries to at least two of our supporters while many others got seriously injured running for their lives”

    “The vice president was at Isale Aluko suburb of Ilorin on a door-to-door campaign when some dare-devil gunmen opened fire at his convoy which included thousands of APC members and supporters.” “In what is a reminiscence of the Offa robbery, this attack is the height of recklessness on the part of these street urchins who have long been empowered and armed by the discredited dynasty to terrorise our community and anyone who has contrary views to their amala politics.”

    Last month, thugs attacked the family quarters of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki in Ilorin, the state capital after same occurrence took place a week earlier. Saraki who visited the affected areas and patients to assess the level of damages done however urged both his family members and the people of the state not to retaliate. “I have urged my family members and all the people of Agbaji to remain calm and not be provoked into retaliation or reprisal attacks,” he said back then.

    Trouble had started earlier when the vandalization of billboards belonging to political parties and their candidates in the state by unknown persons suddenly became rampant. Tension rose as PDP and APC engaged in accusations and counter-accusations over the issue. Both parties lost a number of billboards across the state as the development snowballed into an orgy of destruction.

    Also, last Christmas day, the supporters of the Senate President, Sen Bukola Saraki and the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq had clashed in Ilorin during the annual fundraising ceremony of Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU) disrupting the programme in the process.

    Abdulrazaq was invited to the podium by the organisers to announce his donation when supporters of the two rival political parties clashed, forcing the security officers of Emir of Ilorin, Alh Ibrahim Sulu Gambari to quickly take him away from the ceremony when the situation became uncontrollable. Both parties later accused each other of instigating the crisis.

     

    More worries

    Ajakaiye added that, ”Coming just a day after two of our supporters were killed in Ojoku in the convoy of our senatorial candidate Arc. Lola Ashiru, this is becoming too much and the madness must stop. Going into an election with these thugs clearly on the loose is an existential threat not just to all of us challenging the misrule in our state but to the entire people of the state and their properties.

    “We call for immediate arrest and prosecution of these thugs. We also demand investigations to reveal those who gave the orders for these deadly attacks. We call for all measures to be taken to ensure safety of lives and properties and sanctity of the ballot box in Kwara and beyond. “No one’s political interest should be at the expense of human lives and their properties. We insist that a political contest is a contest of ideas and no one must be allowed to cow or kill others in the process.’

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner  (REC) in Kwara, Malam Garba Attahiru-Madami,  has also expressed concern over the recent political violence in the state. Attahiru-Madami, who spoke at an interactive session with traditional rulers in the state on Monday in Ilorin, appealed to them to educate their subjects on the need to maintain peace during and after the general elections. He said the traditional rulers were brought to the interactive session to rub minds ahead of the elections.

    “I want to appeal to royal fathers to go back to their domains and invite leaders of political parties and their supporters and talk to them about peace. “We must conduct ourselves in a peaceful manner before, during and after the coming general elections. “I am sad because our campaign in Kwara has become violent; in December, the news came to me that destruction of campaign billboards was rampant,” he said.

    Even the police command in the state is worried about the turn of events as the governorship election approaches. While calling on the gladiators to eschew further violence, the command said it is doing all it can to nab those involved in the ongoing killings and maiming across the state. On Wednesday, the Kwara State Police Command confirmed the attack and said six suspects had been arrested.

    A press statement issued by Ajayi Okasanmi, the Police spokesperson in Kwara State, noted that the command was on the trail of other suspects. “The command received with astonishment the reported attack unleashed on Ashiru and his campaign train in Ojoku, Oyun Local government Area of Kwara State. Immediately the report was received, the Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, CP Kayode Egbetokun, dispatched to the scene of the attack at Ojoku a team of policemen.

    The team was led by the DPO Ilemona and the Squadron Commander 68 PMF, Offa. The teams successfully brought the situation under control, rescued the candidate unhurt and arrested suspects who were actively involved in the attack. Manhunt for the remaining fleeing suspects had since begun, while discreet investigation of the incident is ongoing. For the umpteenth time, the Command is restating its commitment to the safety of lives and property of the people of Kwara State.

    “While warning sternly that acts of hooliganism, thuggery, unlawful possession of firearms and other dangerous weapons will be met with superior forces and suspects arrested will be made to face the full wrath of the law, The Command is appealing to the victims of this attack and their sympathizers not to resort to self-help, but to have confidence in the Command to do the needful and ensure that culprits are brought to justice.”

    On his part, Bashir Bolarinwa, the Kwara APC Chairman, said the attackers outnumbered the policemen on the campaign train, which forced the APC candidate to quickly hide. He said: “The policemen who accompanied our candidate’s campaign train tried to repel the attackers, but they were massively overwhelmed. Our candidate, Architect Lola Ashiru, was quickly taken away from the place and he remained in hiding for over two hours before Police reinforcement came to rescue him.

    “We are reliably informed that the attack was allegedly coordinated by the PDP candidate for the Kwara South Senatorial District, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim, who hails from the same place (Ojoku) where our members and supporters were attacked. “We are also reiterating our earlier call on the security agencies to immediately arrest all known thugs and other criminals across our state so that they will not disrupt Saturday’s elections and the subsequent ones.”

    Adding his voice to the widespread concern over the spate of violence in the state ahead of the governorship polls, Kola Shittu, the chairman of the Kwara State chapter of the PDP, while alleging that the latest attack was part of “the plot by the APC to throw Kwara State into chaos and bloodletting so that INEC can shift elections and later conduct staggered election in the state”, called on security agents to up their game..

    The PDP boss said it is not true that his party is behind any of the attacks across the state, rather, he claimed the opposition APC is to blame. “It is unfortunate that while the PDP is preparing for the elections, the APC is busy orchestrating plots to unleash violence on our candidates and members in order to achieve its aim of having a staggered election in Kwara,” he added.

    While commiserating with the families of the dead victims and the entire Ojoku community over the attacks and praying for speedy and full recovery of the injured, Issa-Onilu, the APC spokesman confirmed the worries over rising wave of violence when he stressed that Kwara electorate have had enough of this kind of retrogressive politics and attempt to suppress the will of the people.

    On Monday, a group of concerned women in black attires, led by Hajia Sarah Adebayo, stormed the streets of Ilorin to condemn what they called the worrisome spate of election violence across the state. Speaking during the protest at the Government House, Ilorin, Hajia Adebayo called on the security agencies in the state to be alive to their responsibility of protecting lives and property.

    “We are showing our displeasure as mothers because our kids and youths are being killed. We have never witnessed this kind of violence in the emirate and the state before, we felt concerned and not happy and that is why we are showing our displeasure about the incident. We value our culture and heritage which is that of peace and harmony,” Hajia Adebayo said.

  • Fresh anxiety in Imo over guber polls

    As the political parties perfect their last minute preparations for the forthcoming governorship election, Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu, reports that electorate in Imo State are afraid of possible violence arising from the complexities that have shaped the election campaigns

    THE tension that has punctuated the political texture of Imo State, following the implosion of Governor Rochas Okorocha’s political family, has deepened since Tuesday’s assassination of Ifeanyi Ozoemema, the All Progressives Congress Ward Chairman of Logara/Umuohiagu, Ngor Okpala Council Area of the state.

    Eyewitnesses confirmed that Ozoemema was shot few hours after he presided over a meeting of his party in the ward. The meeting, according to insiders was part of the party’s preparation for yesterdays rescheduled presidential and National Assembly polls.

    The Vice Chairman of Logara Development Union, Chief Martin Opara, had told reporters, while confirming the incident that the community had been gripped by panic and mourning.

    “This killing is strange to our community. Report said that he was shot several times in his house until he died. We have met with the Eze-in-Council and have sent a delegation to the DPO requesting that the killers should be arrested immediately.

    “Logara community is known for peace and we won’t jeopardise it. The deceased just finished hosting a meeting of APC members in his ward, before gunmen operating in a jeep came and requested to see him. On sighting him, they shot him several times before they left.”

    Coming at this time, sources said Ozoemema’s murder has reawakened the fear of some electorates and stakeholders that the crisis in Imo APC may further endanger the peace in the state during the forthcoming governorship election.

    Following the inability of Governor Okorocha and the other leaders of APC in the state to resolve their differences over the party’s governorship candidate in this election, informed observers have expressed fear that except the security agencies take extra care to oversee elections in the state, especially the governorship election, the state may be thrown into chaos as the desperate candidates and their supporters may be tempted to reach out to each other’s throat.

    It would be recalled that barely seven months earlier, at the peak of the leadership intrigues in the party, Chief Sunny Ejiagwu (Onaneze), the party’s Chairman in Ideato North Local Government Area, was also reportedly murdered in very worrisome circumstances. As would be expected, the news of his assassination caused panic in the state because he met his violent death shortly after he and 27 others were inaugurated as the party’s local government chairmen after the state APC rescheduled election as ordered by the court.

    Even before the recent assassinations, The Nation had reported that in the entire Southeast geo-political zone,

    Imo State, which is currently administered by an All Progressives Congress-led government, promises to be the hottest state to watch during the elections.

    Insiders confided to us that this fear is primarily because the disintegration of the political family of the out-going governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, had created so much bad blood that it is feared today that the estranged members of the ruling party in the state, the APC, and some of their estranged members now in other parties may make room for the opposition parties as they are likely to see themselves as the primary political opponents in the contest. If this happens, as is being feared during the governorship and other state elections, it may be difficult to guarantee violent-free elections there.

    We have reported earlier that the political tension in the state could be traced to the high level criticism against the leadership style of Okorocha almost all through his second term in office. This was worsened by the open disagreement of top members of his political family and other stakeholders within the political party over the result of the governorship primaries.

    It would be recalled that the bone of contention was the choice of the governorship candidate, a disagreement that led to a major division between Okorocha and his deputy, Prince Eze Madumere, who is today the running mate to APC’s governorship candidate, Senator Hope Uzodinma. Okorocha had pushed for Uche Nwosu, his son-in-law, who also served as his Chief of Staff, as the party’s candidate, but APC national leadership finally chose Uzodinma with Madumere, as his running mate, a decision that Okorocha has continued to oppose openly.

    Not only had Okorocha condemned the decision of his party’s leadership on the matter, he had continued to back Nwosu, who had since defected to Action Alliance (AA) where he hopes to actualise his ambition.

    Since last December when President Muhammadu Buhari openly declared support for Uzodinma at a rally in Owerri, notwithstanding Okorocha’s disapproval, the complexities of Imo governorship election have become more obvious. This complexity was further emphasised by Okorocha and Nwosu’s AA supporters’ resolve to support Buhari in yesterday’s presidential election but to contest against APC’s candidates in the governorship election. Since Governor Okorocha remains a member of APC, observers wonder how his open support for AA candidate in the coming governorship election will ultimately affect the fortunes of both APC and AA and how it will impact on the polity?

    “The situation is not just complex, we hope it is not an open invitation to chaos. The truth is that in Imo State today, there is confusion, especially among the members and supporters of APC. Some of us do not know who to believe as our known leaders in the state have parted ways and are telling us different things. It will be a miracle if in this circumstance; the forthcoming governorship election in Imo is violent-free. We are not only worried but afraid,” said Mrs. Nkechi Chikezie, a woman leader in Okigwe.

    APC governorship candidate, Senator Hope Uzodinma, has also expressed concern over the complexities that seem to define Imo governorship elections. Uzodinma, who spoke to journalists after the last women rally, said “The world has seen how the governor is working against APC in the state. I want to appeal to the leadership of our great party to look into the matter and take appropriate action. I cannot tell you whether his action is anti-party or not but you could see the response of our members when he made his comments. You people will judge. But I will only tell him that only God, and not him, can make me governor. And I will become governor because Imo people have spoken and God heard their cries. Rochas has only few months to leave Government House and whether he likes it or not, he will leave on May 29, 2019,” he said.

    These concerns, according to Dr. Kingsley Uzoma, confirm the fear in the state today that the ruling party in the state, the APC, may have become the most endangered as a result of the disagreement of its leaders.

    The Nation however reports that in the forthcoming governorship elections, APC is not the only party that is now under tension. The other leading parties have issues that have made the likely outcome of the elections rather difficult to predict. It would be recalled, for example, that the governorship candidates that would contest with APC’s Uzodinma, include the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha (PDP), Senator Ifeanyi Ararume (APGA), Honorable Tony Nwulu (UPP), Linus Okorie (YPP) and of course, Uche Nwosu of AA.

    Backed by Okorocha, there is no doubt that Nwosu will be one of the major frontrunners in the governorship contest. Sources said his campaign was one of the most funded and intense but added that because of the circumstances that threw him up as a candidate, it is feared he may suffer some protest votes not necessarily intended against him as an individual but against the political forces that is desperate to crown him.

    Commenting on the development, Dr. Vincent Nwahunanya said “the campaigns for this year’s elections in Imo were very tough and intriguing. Apart from the fact that all the parties have strong and rich backers, the emergence of AA and its candidate specially helped to spice up the campaigns.  The situation was that Uche, the AA candidate, has enormous financial backing to embark on grassroots campaigns but the long drawn campaign against Okorocha’s plan to impose his son-in-law on Imo people may be the major challenge for the youthful politician. The fear is that most of the people, who would have voted for him ordinarily, may deny him of their votes as protest against the outgoing governor’s brand of politics,” he said.

    Whatever is the case, our investigation shows that the fortunes of Uche and his party, AA, in the governorship election is of special interest to all informed observers of Imo State politics today. Most of the respondents who spoke to The Nation during the week also alleged that the fear that the governorship election may witness unnecessary violence can be traced to the explosive relationship between APC supporters and AA members.

    Another source of concern, we gathered, is the fact that with the implosion in APC, it is yet to be determined which political party is in the majority in Imo State today. It would be noted that unlike Nwosu’s AA, which is a child of recent and intricate circumstances, the other major parties, like PDP and APGA have strong roots in Imo. In 2015, the state had to hold a supplementary election before the serving governor can claim victory.

    Then, the result of the election was declared inconclusive. It was only after the supplementary election that Okorocha was returned re-elected, with Ihedioha of PDP coming second and Emmanuel Ihenacho of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) coming third .

    Today, PDP is still strong but its opponents said it can no longer be described as being very strong in Imo as it was in 2015 because of Okorocha’s dominance in the politics of Imo during this period. Insiders said the only thing the PDP’s governorship candidate, former Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, will need to do to remain on top is to reach out to estranged members of the party in the state so as to have a more united house than APC.

    Already, it is certain that Ihedioha, the PDP candidate, is enjoying support even from unexpected quarters because of the intricacies of this year’s elections in the state, including, but not limited to the quest to realise the Owerri zone’s demand on the governorship seat.

    APGA is another political party with deep roots in Imo. The party’s governorship candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, is also another popular political leader in the state. But with the exit of many popular politicians who contested for APGA ticket, following the circumstances that threw up Araraume, observers are wondering if APGA can still be regarded as a strong contender in the elections?

    Perhaps because of former Governor Ikedi Ohakim’s personal influence, and the agitation of the Okigwe Senatorial District to be allowed to complete its second term, his Accord Party has also become a frontline player.

    With these complex sensibilities, deepened by the in-house fighting in the ruling APC, it can be seen that the forthcoming governorship race in Imo

  • Buhari to Kogi electorates: Vote for change, progress

    Buhari to Kogi electorates: Vote for change, progress

    Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Kogi State, President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the people of the state to opt for change and development by voting  for the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Prince Abubakar Audu.

    President Buhari made the call  at the APC governorship campaign rally held at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja, Wednesday.

    He said the time for change in Kogi has come.

    The President, who was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo,  noted that Nigeria is already moving forward and Kogi State must not be left behind.

    Earlier, the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, officially received some PDP chieftains, including 15 elected council chairmen, Senior Special Advisers and Special Advisers who defected to the party.

    Oyegun assured them of equal opportunity in the APC, urging them to work for victory on Saturday.

    He said the exercise required the collective responsibility of all to vote for change for the overall development of Kogi State, noting that the APC candidate, Prince Audu remains the best option at this critical moment in the history of the state.

    He said Audu has record of development, adding that “he has done it before and he will do it again.”

    Audu implored the people to vote enmass for the APC to rescue the state from  PDP.

    The former chairman of North Central of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Comrade Mohammed Ali, who spoke on behalf of other defectors, said they have decided to join the progressives, commending the APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was on the podium, for championing the progressive cause in Nigeria.

    He assured the APC leader that as youth leaders, they will deliver Kogi to APC on Saturday.

     

  • Election: Kogi orders closure of schools

    Election: Kogi orders closure of schools

    Kogi government has ordered the closure of all public and private schools in the state from Tuesday, Nov. 18 to Monday, Nov. 23.

    The Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Education, Alhaji Adamu Sheidu, confirmed the closure to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lokoja.

    He said that the order affects only all primary and secondary schools in the state.

    He said that the step became necessary as many of the schools will serve as temporary camps for security agents being deployed to the state for the Nov. 21 governorship election.

    Sheidu said that the closure order which came into effect on Tuesday will last till Monday, Nov. 23.

    The PRO advised parents and guardians to take note of the development and keep watch on the movement of their children during the period of the election.

    He also warned proprietors of private secondary and primary schools in the state against violating the order.

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Sunday Arase, had on Tuesday in Lokoja announced that 12, 000 policemen will be deployed for the election.

    According to him, a unit of mobile policemen will be sent to each of the 21 local government councils in the state.

    He explained further that a Deputy-Inspector General of Police, one Assistant Inspector-General of Police and no fewer than three Police Commissioners will be on the ground to coordinate the operation.

     

  • INEC approves observer groups for Kogi, Bayelsa polls

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved 50 groups to observe the forth-coming Kogi and Bayelsa governorship elections.

    The elections have been slated for November 21 and December 5 respectively.

    According to a letter signed by INEC’s Director of Elections and Party Monitoring Department (EPM), Bala Shittu, 43 out of the approved organizations are domestic, while the rest seven are foreign.

    The approved groups are expected to complete and return Form EPMC 002 for the two elections from the EPM between 8:00am to 4:00pm (Monday to Friday) from October 2-25, 2015.