Eze Madumere, oKOROCHA & uCHE nWOSU. |
In
functional politics, there are so many unpredictability’s than in any other
human endeavor.
According
to V.O. Kay, a renowned political Scientist of American extraction, “since
politics centers round the behaviours of human beings and since human beings are
very unpredictable, there is no reason to have a firm reliability on the
collective or individual behaviour of persons of individuals”.
In
fact, whether we are talking of politics in America, Britain or in any other
polity in African, unpredictability’s are common occurrences. There
differences are that in African, mainly in Nigeria due to our own political
circumstances, such unpredictability’s become more manifest than in other
politics environments.
More
so, if this could be narrowed down to Imo state, since the creation of the
State, in 1976 circumstances surrounding the office of Deputy Governor have
been a matter the outcome of complexities .
For
example, when Chief Sam Mbakwe was nominated to run for the office of the
Governor, because he was from Okigwe zone, it was imperative on him to pick his
running mate from Abia in order to balance the ticket. He picked one Dr.
Bernard Amalaha, the senior Lecturer in Alvan Ikoku College of Education. After
the election, Chief Sam Mbakwe of NPP won with a landslide victory.
Unfortunately, his opponent, Dr. Nwakama Okoro, from Umuahia zone, went to
court to protest. His argument was that since Amalaha was not properly
qualified to run with Mbakwe because he was found deficient for not paying his
tax as and at when due, he was not qualified.
However
the court did not find it proper to nullify the election of Mbakwe on that
ground, rather it disqualified Dr. Bernard Amalaha and allowed Mbakwe’s
election to stand due to what the court termed, in the interest of political
justice and not legal justice.” (Political expediency) by Oputa.
Of
course, if the court had nullified the election, in fact, the entire State
would have been thrown into unmanageable precipitation and anarchy, because of
the popularity of Chief Sam Mbakwe.
Mbakwe
was asked to nominate another Deputy Governor. He nominated perhaps one of the
oldest persons in Imo to hold that office, one Chief Isaac Uzoigwe, whose
greatest performance to Mbakwe’s administration was to be “blessing Kola nuts
at every function where the Governor or the Government was involved.” He served
Mbakwe until when his government was truncated along with the Federal
Government of Shagari by today’s Buhari.
The
second Deputy Governor was a very fine gentleman, Dr. Douglas Achilonu, an easy
going person who contested the election with Chief Evan Enwerem. Unfortunately,
Chief Enwerem’s government was truncated by General Sani Abacha in 1992.
The
third Deputy Governor was Engineer Ebere Udeagu, who ran with Achike Udenwa in
1999. Udenwa’s Government was very lucky, it enjoyed uninterrupted two terms of
eight years.
When
it was time for Udenwa to go, there was uncertainties surrounding the selection
of Ebere Udeagu. Although there were so many speculations about his selection
to replace his boss, Achike Udenwa. Sp many persons showed up to vie for the
position. Ordinally, if Achike Udenwa has stamped his feet of the ground, Ebere
Udeagu would have sailed through. But he did not because of what many political
pundits and insiders termed the solid opposition to Ebere Udenwa by the
Governor’s wife, who wielded a lot of power within the “palace”.
Besides,
Udenwa could not overcome such mountainous challenges, when the election came,
there were so many katakata in PDP to the effect that even to select a
Governorship was problematic. There were about sixteen Governorship aspirants.
The party could not solve the problem. They carried their wahala to Abuja where
the then President, Olusegun Obasanjo twisted their hand and made a choice for
them, tossing Chief Ikedi Ohakim. Of course there were so many inconclusive
jingoism which went on resulting in Ohakim of PPA winning the Governorship race
in a heavily PDP dominated State. He chose for the first time a female Deputy
Governor, Dr. Mrs. Ada Okwuonu from Mbaise because he was looking for Mbaise
block votes.
He,
Ikedi Ohakim completed his first term of four years and was going for second
term. He dropped Ada Okwuonu and instead picked a towering female professor of
biological sciences, professor Viola Onwuliri from Mbaise.
Of
course, Ohakim’s campaign did not fly because of intricate and multiple
conspiracies against him, people believed was as a result of his role of not
supporting Jonathan when he was struggling to become the president when the President,
Yar Dua was mortally sick. Majority believed that the failure of Ohakim to be
re elected must be laid down at the door step of Goodluck Jonathan. Of course,
many have different opinions. But if one may read a book entitled, “democracy
by Military tanks,” by Okere, one could confirm or change one’s perception and
conclusion.
Owelle
got the ticket to run under APGA, which many believed would have gone to
Agbaso, who in twists and turns of political maneuvering nominated his younger
brother who had absolutely little or nothing about the chemistry of Imo
politics. Okorocha out smarted the two Agbaso brothers and ran with Jude Agbaso
as the Deputy. Many believed that he did that merely to but time. And at the
appropriate time, he used the most docile House of Assembly to impeach the
Deputy Governor on Phantom charges. He was removed. And indeed the most
preferred person, Prince Madumere was chosen as the Deputy Governor to
Okorocha.
It
was the opinion of the generality of the members of the public, but for the
outstanding personal qualities of Prince Madumere, including his inexhaustible
patience and undiluted loyalty, he would have been pushed out by overbearing
First Lady of the State.
Indeed,
when Prince Madumere became the Deputy Governor to Owelle in March 2013, nobody
ever thought that his relationship with Owelle would take a beating for the
worst for so many reasons. He was very confidant of Owelle long before Owelle
became the Governor. Their relationship was not only tight but also invincible.
Evidence are bound that he contributed substantially to Owelle’s ascendency to
the type of success he accomplished, including becoming the Governor.
However,
according to Michael Has, “in politics which is basically a pursuit for self
interest, when two interests collide, anything can happen.” Indeed, nobody
could believe that one day Owelle and Madumere could be at each other’s throat,
politically.
This
was surprising because before both parted ways, Owelle had at several for
assailed Madumere with several compliments including, referring to him, “as my
headache free Deputy Governor.” At one time, a writer has referred to Madumere
as, “a cooling system in Owelle’s restive government.” In fact, many people in
Imo State knew that Madumere because his striking qualities had enjoyed the
admiration of many Imo citizens. Nobody was in doubt that Prince Madumere would
get Owelle’s support as his replacement. Unfortunately Owelle had a different
political agenda to establish political dynasty, beginning with his son in law,
Uche Nwosu.
It
is on record that so many efforts and series of advice were made to Owelle to
change his mind against Uche. He could not succumb to accepting wise counsel.
Because, he under rated Madumere’s capacity to oppose him openly.
The
disagreement came to a head when Owelle told Madumere to contest for the Imo
East Senate sit which he rejected by towing on Owelle their trade mark neck
muffler.
From
then, both knew that the game was up. Madumere had formidable opposition
members of APC waiting to support him because he was the right person..
They
formed a coalition of APC strong members which indeed succeeded in check mating
Owelle to his astonishment. Today, Prince Madumere is very popular in Imo State
for his stand. If nothing, Owelle sponsors Madumere impeachment failed
woefully. Because according to one Igbo proverb, “one day, monkey will go to
the market and will not return.”
Today,
and on the 29th May, prince Madumere will remain as deputy Governor of Imo
State. Without doubt, he `would be present at the handover ceremony as outgoing
Deputy Governor of Imo State and will be so recognized. After that day,
he is likely to be the first name on the list of those to be considered for
Ministerial appointment by Buhari from Imo State. And he is likely to get a
Ministerial slot because he has remained a very faithful party person, loyal
and committed.
After
all, “he who laughs last laughs best.”
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