RISING from a
recent meeting at a location in Orlu, Imo State, kinsmen of Governor Achike
Udenwa not only gave full backing to the aspiration of Ndi Igbo to clinch
the presidency in 2007 but only tipped this illustrious son of theirs for the
top job. The gathering was that of top politicians from the Orlu senatorial zone
where Governor Udenwa, now in his second term in office, comes from.
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It is tempting to see that particular
pronouncement on Udenwa’s possible presidential candicacy as simply one of those
things, a mere attempt by those present at the gathering to curry favour from
the governor who, reportedly, was in attendance. But this would be a wrong way
of looking at it. The pronouncement by Udenwa’s kinsmen is of a great
significance with respect to the Igbo agitation for the presidency in 2007.
First, it is coming against the backdrop of the impression in several quarters
that the agitation lacks teeth because it has no arrowhead. Critics of the Igbo
aspiration for the presidency agree that out there, Ndi Igbo have a
number of good materials for the presidency but that it will be difficult for
one of them to muster the courage to lead the crusade as an aspirant. They are
both right and wrong.
They are right because what do you make
out of a situation whereby at least three aspirants from the North, the major
contender for the presidency apart from the South-East, are all over the place
campaigning-albeit through surrogates-as against none from Igbo land. They are
wrong because the Igbo strategy this time around will be on consensus building
rather than solo efforts. In other words, Ndigbo’s ‘silence’ on whom
their presidential candidate will be may well be a golden one.
But then, it is beginning to look as if
the campaigners of the Northern aspirants, which include several Igbo elements,
are taking advantage of the absence of an arrowhead for the South-East project
yet to ‘terrorise’ the polity. This cannot be allowed to continue even if
Ndigbo need to bid for more time before coming out with a consensus
candidate. In other words, the time is now to begin to have a good mention of
such possible consensus candidates. After all, Ndigbo can only choose
from among those who either have shown interest in the job or on whom the
electorate see as having a track record of performance. This is where the
significance of the pronouncement by Udenwa’s kinsmen lies. Agreed, it is not
Orlu people or even Imo people on the whole that will determine Udenwa’s
candidacy but the point is that such a pronouncement underscores the required
boldness and courage in pursuit of the Igbo presidential project. The boldness
shown by Udenwa’s kinsmen is the type of thing needed to uplift the psychology
of Ndigbo on the project. As it is, Ndigbo have been generally shy
(some will even say, timid) on the matter. In fact, the courage displayed by the
Orlu caucus is another variant of the one shown by Chief Udenwa, himself,
earlier in the year when he challenged elements of the Northern political
establishment who were beginning to sound as if the presidency in 2007 is their
exclusive preserve. Udenwa’s intervention effectively revived the Igbo president
agitation after a long period of lull and during which it was almost taken for
granted that the 2007 presidency had become a no-go area for Ndigbo.
In a way, therefore, Udenwa’s kinsmen took
a cue from what he did earlier in the year namely, returning life to the Igbo
president agitation. Chief Udenwa has not yet shown any signs that he may take a
shot at the presidency in 2007. Until the Orlu caucus meeting, there had not
been even the slightest speculation that he nurses such ambition. Udenwa is
probably the only South-East governor whose posters (usually said to be printed
by unknown persons) on the 2007 presidency have not appeared anywhere. Yet,
should he decide to make a move in this direction, he will probably be the only
presidential aspirant who will not be saddled with the burden of opposition from
his own people. This is what the position taken by the Orlu caucus means. And,
of course, even within the larger Imo community, an Udenwa presidential project
will receive massive endorsement. And charity, they say, begins at home. This is
where he will be different from other aspirants not only from the South-East but
from the North as well. Take the three well known contenders from the North.
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the current Vice-President of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria, is facing formidable opposition from his own kinsman, Buba Marwa. The
reverse is the case; many believe that Marwa’s dream is a pipe one so long as
Abubakar is also in the race. Former Head of State, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida’s
bid-which is no longer a speculation-faces its biggest challenge from the trio
of Atiku, Marwa (within the Peoples Democratic Party) and, of course, Muhammadu
Buhari, who is sure to fly the flag of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).
Within the South-East each of the serving
governors will face big opposition from within their states. Abia and Ebonyi
states have politicians who are believed to be positioning themselves as
possible consensus candidates. In Abia, Adolphus Wabara, incumbent Senate
President, is widely believed to not only have an eye on the presidency but
would also stop at nothing to prevent Governor Orji Kalu from being accepted as
a consensus candidate by Ndigbo. Governor Egwu will face the same problem
from former Senate President, Anyim Puis Anyim, who is believed to have merely
‘stepped aside’ the other time for strategic reasons. It is widely believed that
Anyim will dust his political tunic once the coast gets clearer. Chief Jim
Nwobodo is believed to be making plans to return to the PDP. And, not
withstanding the rumour that he has made up with Governor Chimaroke Nnamani, it
is very doubtful that the former senator will allow Nnamani to get a
presidential ticket. Governor Chris Ngige is not in the presidential contention
for obvious reasons. Former secretary general of the Common Wealth, Chief Emeka
Anyaoku, whose name is being mentioned in some quarters is believed not to be
keen on the presidential project.
Udenwa does not suffer from such
encumbrances, first because he probably has been luckier than his counterparts
in the other three states in being able to work in harmony with the Imo
political elite. In other words, Udenwa is expected to reap the benefits of his
natural disposition as a man of peace and for whom there is no bitterness in
politics. Besides, as things stand today, Imo hardly harbours any politician
with presidential ambition; or who would like to play the spoiler for Udenwa
just for the sake of it. Interestingly, maverick politician, Senator Arthur
Nzeribe, was at the Orlu caucus meeting where Udenwa was tipped. Former Senate
President and one time Governor of Imo State, Senator Evan Enwerem, shows no
inkling whatever that he has presidential ambition. Same for Chief Emmanuel
Iwuanyanwu who, after two bold attempts previously, is showing signs of fatigue
despite still being a rallying point in Igbo politics. What all this point to is
that Udenwa is, probably, the only fellow who will give Ndigbo little or
no hassles in picking a consensus candidate when the chips are down.
He will face little or no opposition from
his home base as seen above. This is certainly an advantage. But, of course,
Udenwa’s biggest selling point is his track record as governor of Imo State in
the past five years. Udenwa has excelled in sundry areas but most prominent are
the areas of building of roads, provision of electricity and quality education
in the state. Under Udenwa, the Imo State University, Owerri became acknowledged
as the best state-owned university in the country. Besides, the University’s
Teaching Hospital in Orlu has come on stream. Governor Udenwa may not have been
given to media hype but he has shown sufficient flair in the ability to channel
scarce resources towards productive ends. When Chief Chike Uzoma Udenwa resumed
office as the Executive Governor of Imo State, payment of salaries of civil
servants in the state was in upwards of six months in arrears. But not anymore.
Payment of salaries for both teachers and civil servants have been frequent.
Above all these is Chief Achike Udenwa’s
enviable cool and calculated mien. His philosophy of politics without rancour
put Imo ahead of the other four South-Eastern states as most peaceful in the
past five year. It needs no emphasis that Governor Udenwa is one of the most
tolerant politicians of the new order. Not given to unnecessary controversy,
Governor Udenwa does not go out of his way to court publicity, his belief being
that whatever accomplishments he makes as a governor is there to be seen by the
people on their own, not through media hype.
His Orlu kinsmen may have inadvertently made a prophetic
pronouncement. Given the way udenwa has carried out his assignment as governor
in the past five years, there can be no doubt that he still has more places to
go.
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