In nairaspeak, the boys have been separated from the men in the battle for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket for the Imo State governorship race, as only eight of the raucous field of 21 could pay for the N11 million nomination form.
The sale of the form closed on Thursday, November 6. The primaries hold on November 29. The ultimate aim is to unseat Governor Rochas Okorocha, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Among the prominent contenders are Senators Ifeanyi Araraume and Chris Anyanwu; House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha; former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Chuka Odom; former Governor Ikedi Ohakim; and former University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu governing council Chairman, Charles Amanze.
Araraume wants to fill ‘vacancy’
Araraume took a dig at Okorocha, pledging to change things if given the PDP ticket.
“I think there is a vacancy,” he argued.
“Rochas should also recall that when he was declared winner in 2011, there was a governor in that Government House and if Rochas could be elected governor, I feel that another person will be elected to take his place, not because of the fun of changing the governorship, but because he has not done well as governor.
“The basic things people need are not there. Ordinary materials like needles, bandages and syringes are not in our hospitals; the schools are almost dead.
“The teaching hospital is shut down, so many things are not going well in Imo and the people are wiser than they were in the past, and they are determined to get him out and install a PDP government. That is why I believe we will emerge victorious.”
Odom banks on power shift
Imo has three zones – Okigwe, Orlu, and Owerri. Both Okigwe and Orlu have produced elected governors, Owerri has not, so to say.
Odom’s optimism is based in part on his believe that Owerri zone, where he comes from, should produce the governor this time around.
Said he: “The basic issue is the general consensus of opinion that the charter of equity should prevail so that the next governor of the state will come from Owerri zone where I come from.
“I do not want to bother myself about the capability of individual aspirants from Owerri zone because we have capable hands.”
Anyanwu cites antecedents
Anyanwu did not dwell on her being the only female PDP aspirant – and on the potential of making history as the first female governor of Imo – but on her antecedents as a federal lawmaker.
Ohakim wants to complete tenure
For Ohakim, the zone he comes from did not serve out its full term when he was voted out of office in 2011. His rallying point is “let’s do one more tenure.”
His argument is that Imo West – the home base of former Governor Achike Udenwa, who served eight years; and Rochas Okorocha, who is serving out four years – has had the maximum term in office, and it is only fair that Imo North, his home base, should be allowed to complete its full double term.
Okorocha faces uphill task
Okorocha has his work cut out. Achike Udenwa is the only man who has won re-election as governor in the state in the past 15 years.
But Okorocha is not discouraged by that antecedent in his quest for a second term. His supporters point to Ekiti where Ayo Fayose has been elected for the second time, in a state where no one else has achieved the feat since the return of democracy to Nigeria in 1999.
However, Okorocha faces formidable opposition. How he holds up among the PDP candidate would be the test of his political strength.
Amanze’s community record
Amanze, Clinical Director of Pamo Hospitals and Clinics, Port Harcourt, said he is in the race to revive, refocus, and rebrand the state.
“Imo is in dire need of re-direction. As an accomplished medical doctor, I have all it takes to lift Imo, the Eastern heartland, to greater heights.
“My records can speak for me. During my tenure as Chairman, governing council, the UNTH was relocated to its permanent site at Ituku Ozalla, Enugu, a feat seen as impossible at that time.
“I have served in both the public and private sectors without blemish. Imo therefore needs a man of integrity and honour to pilot its affairs in 2015,” Amanze maintained.
He promised to make Imo the number one state in industrialisation, job creation, infrastructure, education, health, and security.
“I am confident that with your support and the will of God, I will make it. I have been rendering selfless services to humanity in various ways.”
A community leader in Ngor Okpala Council, Uju Madu, maintained that Amanze is more qualified to be governor because of his record of service to the under privileged, integrity, and academic qualification.
“Amanze has touched so many lives in the course of his medical practice. Many widows and other less privileged people have benefitted from his generosity and kindness.
“He is down to earth. Imo State will experience development, peace and stability if he becomes the governor in 2015,” Madu said.
Ihedioha on ‘rescue mission’
In his own pitch for the job, Ihedioha said, “I’m in the race to bring about a positive change to the state, especially in the area of education where the present government has failed.
“There is no doubt that the people of the state are behind me in this task and have vowed to support me.”
Ihedioha said he wants to “rescue the people from a decaying system,” insisting that the time has come for someone who is experienced and trusted to rebuild Imo, one of the oldest states in the South East, which “has not been blessed with governors” since the end of the tenure of Sam Mbakwe.
“We want to re-implement Sam Mbakwe’s policy to reinvent what the state is known for, the good legacy of Mbakwe till today bears eloquent testimonies,” Ihedioha stressed.
Competition welcome
He said Okorocha cannot boast of anything because he only applies paint on dilapidated structures he did not build.
“What I want to do is put up human capital development which Okorocha lacks. He was busy refurbishing old structures while we have unemployment challenge.
“Imo people want a change, a change from infrastructural doldrums, from political default, educational decay and administrative misconduct.”
Ihedioha disclosed that he wants to occupy Government House, Owerri because “I have served and got a lot of experience in the House of Representatives, so I am now going to the executive to implement what I have learnt.”
He said he is not afraid of other aspirants who have bought the nomination form, dismissing them as pretenders seeking relevance.
“I am aware that so many of them are here to obtain forms; maybe they have saved some money to plea for political bargain. We know them. I know that Senator Ifeanyi Araraume has bought the form as well as others.
“The incumbent is also there but we have set up so many strategies to oust him.”
Ihedioha applauded the PDP for reconciling aggrieved members from all the six zones, which has opened doors for those in political wilderness to test the waters.
“We know they cannot win, they should be waiting for their time.”
It’s our time, Owerri zone clamours
However, Alliance of Owerri Zone Indigenes in Diaspora (AOZID), based in the United States, has urged stakeholders to allow Owerri Senatorial Zone to produce the governor in 2015.
A statement issued by AOZID, signed by Edward Oparaoji and Charlie Nzeakor, argued that Owerri has “exercised patience and supported other zones as they aspired for the leadership of the state while waiting for an appropriate time to demand equity, justice, and balance.
“That time is now! Having put state before region, fairness demands that our brethren from other zones support the gubernatorial ambition of Owerri zone, at this time.”
The group said the disparity against Owerri is not a reflection of the will or zeal of the people of Owerri zone, but rather as a result of backroom political intrigues and horse trading.
“After all these years of executive leaderships from other zones with marginal development and returns, we believe that a different trajectory of deliverables and/or performance is needed in Imo State.
“With the best and most educated citizenry in Nigeria, Imo State cannot continue to trail behind in most developmental indices. It is really time to try something different. Owerri zone is richly endowed with quality and credible men and women, qualified to govern Imo State.”