Araraume Loyalists Decamp
By Chidi Nkwopara
Very careful watchers of Imo politics, after the July 16, 2010, landmark judgment of the Supreme Court, predicted that the political pendulum had finally tilted in favour of the State Governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim.
The victory was sweet for the Governor and his loyalists but it did not come easy.
The political “war” sadly continued thereafter. The opposition largely composed of Chief Achike Udenwa’s Redemption 98 and Chief Ifeanyi Araraume’s Destiny Organization. Ohakim’s victory made them to quickly beat a retreat, forgot their political differences and fused into what is known today as Alliance Group.
Ohakim
One of the fiery politicians that withdrew from the new contraption was the former Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Nze Ignatius M.O. Umunnah.
With the successful resolution of the over 25 court cases that dotted the path of Ohakim since 2007, the opposition’s next battle field was the soul of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Petitions against Governor Ohakim and his lieutenants, started flying about and operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had to visit Imo State.
Today, many people, including Araraume’s deputy in the 2007 general polls, Chief Bethel Nzimako, co-ordinators of Destiny Organization, ward executives of the organization and scores of Alliance Group loyalists felt there has to be an end to the seeming endless political war in the state, in the interest of the citizenry.
Declaring their support for Ohakim during a colourful ceremony in Owerri, Nzimako recalled that the Supreme Court judgment which held that Chief Ikedi Ohakim is the winner of April 28, 2010 election in Imo State “put us in a fix”.
“If we have to be truthful to ourselves, we must admit the fact that the issue of 2007 governorship is over and done with, therefore we must face a new future. What we are doing today does not amount to betraying our leader. It is not even about seeking greener pastures, but to move Imo State forward after a long drawn battle, which has spanned over eight years”, Nzimako explained.
While insisting that what has a beginning must have an end, Araraume’s loyalists maintained that without intimidation, equivocation, all manner of prodding or inducement, “formally declare our support for Chief Ikedi Ohakim led administration”.
Nzimako said: “Ironically, some prominent members of the opposition, who have been heating up the system untowardly have their spouses, wards, associates, fronts and cronies actively participating in the government. They enjoy the perks and privileges of the offices, yet they approbate and reprobate.
We cannot therefore afford to be continuously misguided by throwing mud at the government and plotting strategies to distract the Governor from service delivery”.
Another thing irked him most: “The leaders of the opposition today, were the same men that concocted devious lies against Senator Araraume accusing him of all manner of evil, which turned out to be blatant lies.
Today, they at it again, trying to destroy another Mbano son by remorselessly adopting the same worn out tactics to malign the Governor but we can see through their lies and deceit and would not allow them destroy the Governor.
He then passionately appealed to their compatriots, who are still outside the fold to expand their horizon and embrace the future, which we have long avoided by joining the winning team, adding that “we must respect the will of God, which is that Chief Ikedi Ohakim is the political leader of both Imo State and PDP by the highest court in the land”.
It was his considered opinion that “we have no other choice as Christians and Good citizens of Imo State but to support to move Imo State to the next level” and congratulated Ohakim for “being large hearted and for not taking it out on his political enemies all these years, as well as his uncommon love to accommodate us”.
Speaking also, one of the financiers of Destiny Organization, Mr. Emeka Mgbudem, not only said that there are times to compete but also times to cooperate, adding that the political war was over. He donated 18 brand new Mitsubishi L300 buses to the campaign machine of Governor Ohakim.
Welcoming them, the Governor said what he has tried to check in the state is god-fatherism in politics, adding that he had been badly maligned, while rumour mongers had turn him to shreds.
“I want to say that I have forgiven all those who wronged me. I equally appeal to those who feel pained that I wronged them in the course of discharging my constitutional duties to please forgive me”, Ohakim said.
