Assistant Editor, South East, CHRISTIAN NWOKOCHA, x-rays the programmes and chances of leading Imo State governorship candidates in the February election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Imo State recently released the names of 16 governorship candidates, after claims and counter-claims of authentic party candidates among various political parties. The action came on the heels of intrigues, manoeuvring and, in some instances, crisis-ridden primaries.
The candidates
These names were: Ken Ojiri of Accord (A), Angus Uzoamaka of Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Charles Nnadi of African Peoples Alliance (APA), Governor Rochas Okorocha of All Progressives Congress (APC), Emmanuel Iheanacho of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chinwendu Nnaji of Citizens Popular Party (CPP), Chidi Ejimofor of Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), and Jerry Chigozie of Independent Democrats (ID).
Others are Excel Nwaneri of Kowa Party (KP)), Anselem Igbokwe of Mega Progressive Peoples Party (MPPP), Ibeh Ijezie of People For Democratic Change (PDC), Emeka Ihedioha of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Roy Iwuala of Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), David Mbamara of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Osmond Ukanacho of United Progressive Party (UPP), and Henry Nnaji of United Democratic Party (UDP).
The titans
But even with the unveiling of these candidates and their political parties, only four are really known in the state. These are Ihedioha, Iheanacho, Okorocha and Ukanacho. Others appear to have picked party tickets, perhaps, to tag along as also rans.
Within the four, analysts estimate that the actual battle is essentially between Okorocha and Ihedioha, and, to some extent, Iheanacho. Each has his areas of strengths and weaknesses.
Okorocha is making reasonable impact in the race, being the incumbent governor of the state, while Ihedioha, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, rides on the wings of the so-called PDP federal might.
The two leading candidates have already kicked off their campaigns, beginning with road shows in Owerri, the state capital. In their outings, they draw on their clouts and offices in terms of security coverage and prestige.
The agenda
Addressing PDP supporters in the state capital, Ihedioha promised that his administration would ensure free and qualitative education, improved healthcare and affordable housing programme. Other promises include: reviving the state’s economy through efficient budgetary system, employment opportunities through state and foreign investments in industries, tourism, agriculture, quality road projects and maximum care on issues relating to the judiciary.
He further pledged employing his legislative experience to reposition Imo State House of Assembly and the judiciary, with a view to making these arms of government truly independent, in line with the case at the federal level.
Okorocha, on the other hand, urged the Imo electorate to disregard issues relating to zoning, and promised a better future for Imo, if given the opportunity for a second tenure. He specifically promised to create more industries for employment opportunities, develop rural areas using his community government initiatives, invest more on his free education programme and eradicate poverty through skills acquisition programmes.
But Iheanacho pledged that, if elected governor, he would address issues of good governance and solve social problems like unemployment, poverty, and infrastructure decay. He also promised to address the issue of the state’s economy, which, according to him, was established on false premise, adding that manufacturing of viable products would be given priority. Contracts awarded without due process, he further vowed, would be addressed.
Ukanacho also has a blueprint on how he intends to govern Imo, if given the opportunity to serve. In what he described as “my covenant with Imo 2015”, he said his administration would provide the enabling environment for the electorate to actualise their full potential. His primary objectives in government, he pledged, would be to address health-related issues, particularly in the areas of mental, physical and emotional wellbeing of the people. The management strategy of his health programme would be geared towards preventive, curative, addressing issues of poor environment, malnutrition, provision of free healthcare for pregnant women with functional equipment in all the hospitals. He promised to initiate housing programmes, public parks, education, employment opportunities, career centres and agriculture, improved transport system and private enterprises.
Chances, challenges
On their chances of winning, Ihedioha has gained some degree of acceptability by the electorate. He is also relying on the zoning system which favours his area. He comes from the popular Mbaise sub-zone of three local governments in the state, widely known for its political awareness, connections across the country and population. Other top politicians from the area are Minister of State (Education), Prof. Viola Onwuliri, and Senator Chris Anyanwu.
Ihedioha is believed to have attracted several federal projects for his federal constituency of Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala. He is, in addition, supported by two former governors of the state Achike Udenwa and Ikedi Ohakim.
In fact, Ohakim, who contested the primary with him, is said to have let go his ambition to queue behind party decisions of adopting Ihedioha as the PDP flag-bearer. In similar stead, all elected former local government chairmen are behind his aspiration to be governor of the state.
PDP is determined to take over Imo. The Deputy Speaker is equally leveraging on his current position at the national level to create effect in the race.
But he has to contend with Senator Ifeanyi Araraume and his supporters who are determined to get his name changed by INEC through the state judiciary, claiming that he is the rightful PDP candidate. It is feared that unless something is done in this direction, festering crisis may mar Ihedioha’s chances of winning the governorship election.
Besides, his coming from Owerri zone as Iheanacho and Ukanacho may see the votes from the area split, thus bolstering the chances of Okorocha, the main candidate from Orlu zone.
Undoubtedly, Okorocha is determined to win his second tenure bid. In going about the exercise, he is relying on his physical projects within the state capital and other zones in the state. Though all the opposition parties in the state are determined to stop him, describing his projects as inferior, some electorate appear not to be worried about sub-standard projects and would prefer a physical structure on ground to justify the existence of the government of the day.
He has the support of teachers and other civil servants who are grateful to him for regular payment of salaries. The moral argument of the zoning formula is not favouring Okorocha. The argument is that if he goes for a second tenure, his zone would have dominated the state holding of the governorship position for 16 years, leaving other zones behind.
This notwithstanding, the governor may spring surprises and win, especially in cashing in on what appears to be the irreconcilable differences between Ihedioha and Araraume.
At the moment, the strongholds of Iheanacho and Ukanacho are their respective local government areas. They have good programmes, but yet to kickstart their campaigns. If the situation in 2007 in which Ohakim emerged as governor from PPA due to internal wrangling in PDP is anything to go by, any of the two may also spring surprises.
