As Imo State, under the leadership of Owelle Rochas Okorocha, formally endorses the merger of opposition political parties to form All Progressives Congress (APC), Okodili Ndidi in Owerri reports that the success of the progressives dance of victory, tagged Imo Rally, has redefined South-East politics.
The journey to takeover the South-East geo-political zone by the emerging All Progressives Congress (APC), took off on thunderous note in Owerri, the Imo State capital, when eight serving governors and their host, Governor Rochas Okorocha, formarly introduced the party to the people of Imo in a grand style.
The battle-ready APC warriors tested their feet in the waters of Southeast politics with the sensitisation and awareness at the political carnival, simply tagged Imo Rally.
The event which held at the Heroes’ Square, in Owerri, may have been outwardly named Imo State Rally, but the attendance and the behind-the-scene intrigues confirmed that it was the take-off of a seemingly well conceived political revolution aimed at changing the political leadership and political temperature of the entire South-East zone.
According to the eight APC governors present at the glamorous carnival, what happened that day was a mere starter of what is to come in the next few months as the party takes its message of change across the five states of the zone.
How far can APC go in the South-East?
The tumultuous crowd that greeted the unveilling of the APC in Owerri suggests strongly that the party may have an easy ride in the zone. One thing that seemed most obvious at the event was the fact that the people had long become tired of the old way of doing things in politics and governance and are anxious for a change, which the new party is offering in a rather convincing manner.
As early as 7.30 in the morning of that Tuesaday, May 7, 2013, the old and young, women and children, have thronged into the Square to listen to the much anticipated words of hope that have been preached in other parts of the country. They defied the scorching heat and dared the security agents who fought tirelessly to keep them under check.
In attendance were governors Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, Adams Oshiomole of Edo State, Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Ibrahim Shetima of Bornu State and Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State.
Speaking at the rally, which was also part of activities to mark the Imo Freedom Day celebration, Okorocha noted that his party, (APGA),” is not joining any political party nor is it in any alliance but in a merger to form a new party called APC.”
He said it was a matter of time for the APC to take over every level of governance in the country, adding that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has failed the people of the South-East for the twelve years of democracy, stressing that the entire Ndigbo are for APC.
Okorocha told his teeming supporters that the selling point of the new party is the visible achievements of its proponents, “these my brothers (APC Governors) have transformed their states and are doing more, that is what the new party stands for, it means freedom to the people, the poor masses and the indigent widows, who have been victims of PDP’s misrule.”
The visiting governors, who were visibly impressed by the massive turnout at the rally, took turns to deride the PDP style of leadership assuring that the APC is committed to give Nigeria better leadership.
Fashola who drew a resounding ovation from the ecstatic crowd, described APC as a great train of change, “we have set about a course that is irrevocably committed to giving power back to the people. We believe that Nigeria needs a change and APC will bring about that change.”
Also speaking, Ajimobi, noted that the PDP has gone from bad to worse, noting that the only option left to salvage the nation is APC.
In his speech, Shetima said the exceptional performances of the APC Governors are testimonies of how great the country would be if APC emerged the ruling party and urged the people to support the party for their good.
He said the party was not for self but out to redefine the concept of governance, stating that the party is on a rescue mission for the nation.
Amosun, in his speech, said they were pleased to see that the performance of the Imo State Governor was real and concrete and not a newspaper achievement.
“This is what we want and this is what APC represents. The battle has just begun; APC must succeed for the benefit of Nigerians because there is no better platform.”
Nasarawa State Governor, Al-Makura, said Okorocha’s performance was just the beginning of what the people of the state will witness in terms of development, noting that it was worth celebrating. He urged the people to support the governor, especially now that the right party has emerged.
“You cannot salvage the country with people who are fake, people who are pseudo-democrats,” he said.
Kayode, was emphatic when he said: “a time like this calls for visionary leaders as seen in all the states where the APC are holding sway. No amount of intimidation will deter us from working together to salvage the country.”
According to him, “no one is happy with what is going on, that is why we have embarked on this rescue mission; that is why we have embarked on the freedom journey.”
Aregbesola who held the surging crowd spell bound with his songs and dancing steps, described APC as a bulldozer that will crush everything on its way including the PDP.
He called on the people to say no to unemployment, poverty, hunger, which he said PDP has given Nigerians as a political legacy.
Comrade Oshiomole noted that when he led a protest of workers to Imo State as a labour leader, he met a state with filthy streets dilapidated infrastructure, “but now everything in Imo state has changed.”
He said that was an example of how Nigeria will look like in every area of national life when APC becomes the ruling party. He called on the people to continue to support the governor for more of the good works.
Another thing that was obvious during the Imo rally is that what had remained of the resistance by the PDP in the state caved in after the invasion of the progressives.
Also with the public declaration made by many APGA members, it is likely the party leadership at the national level will have no choice but to fully endorse the merger.
