Imoke and the PDP
AT the formation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in1998, only few pundits gave the party a chance at sustaining the emerging democratic culture in Nigeria. Twelve years later the nation is set on the longest and most stable era of her democratic history. Most of the credit for this goes to the PDP
The party has been able to balance power amongst competing interests and strategic blocs through a zonal policy. This enables the office of political principals to pivot from one zone to the other. This inspires political stability and unity.
This rotational policy is perculiar, even exclusive to the PDP. It is largely a pointer to the multi-ethnic character of the Nigerian State. There are two notable consequences of this pragmatic policy: (i) it has allowed every geo-political axis in the country to have a stake in shaping the fortunes of Africa’s most populous nation. (ii) It has enabled the PDP to be returned to power at every general ballot since 1999. (iii) It is a factor in the ongoing stabilisation of the nation’s democracy.
At formation, the G34 was the nucleus of the PDP. The G34 was a group of 34, eminent Nigerians opposed to the dictatorship of late General Sani Abacha. This included figures like Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Chief Sunday Awoniyi, Alhaji Isa Kaita, late Chief Bola Ige, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Chief Tony Anenih, Alhaji Bamaga Tukur, etc. By the time the party came into shape, the group had expanded to include leading political figures from the 36 states of the Federation.
In Cross River State, it was Senator Liyel Imoke who smartly discerned the new party as the face of Nigeria’s democratic future. He therefore, aligned pronto with like minds in the PDP and its leaders. This easily conferred on him the leadership of the party in Cross River State. Indeed, it was Imoke who received the PDP flag for Cross River State. The flag is a veritable, symbol and instrument of authority for whomever it is given to.
Since then Senator Imoke has being providing strategic and operational leadership for the PDP in Cross River State. He also provided intellectual leadership for the party. He largely instrumented the politico-economic blueprint on which the development of the State has rested since 1999. Under the leadership of Senator Imoke, the PDP has never lost any election in the State since 1999. In fact, his leadership and strategy was so effective that by 2003, the PDP, was in total control of the state. The party held sway in all the 18 Local Councils in the State. The party won all the 194 Councillorships in the State, chairmanship of the 18 Local Councils, all the 25 State Constituencies, all nine Federal Constituencies, and all three Senatorial Districts. The party has won all governorship elections in succession since 1999.
In developing the PDP in the State, Imoke was developing the human capital in the State that made the PDP tick. This included those whom appointments into Local, State and Federal governance he facilitated. Imoke always ensures the recruitment of the best and brightest there is into the PDP. Membership of the party in the State is, therefore, a valued assemblage of the high valued human content of the State.
It is mark of Imoke’s pragmatic leadership that instead of offering coat tails to those below him, he decided to serve up an anchor. That is how Donald Duke ran for Governor, and other of his associates for various other offices. Imoke himself decided not to stand for any office. He was to be appointed a Special Adviser to President Obasanjo on Utilities and later a Minister and the political structure, Imoke and his associates put together in 1998, is still the dominant and most viable political structure in the PDP and in the State.
Imoke is an influential member of the PDP national establishment. He is one of a few foundation members of the party who is still in prominence since the formation of the party. As a former senator, presidential adviser, cabinet member, and now Governor, Senator Imoke enjoys a qualified privilege that accords the honour of making input into the decision making process of the party. Needless to say, he is a member of the strategic organs of the party. Imoke has played highly critical behind the scene roles in strengthening the ranks of the party, resolving knotty party issues and lending effective ideas to the party’s strategy, and campaign drive during elections.
In Cross River State, where Imoke is expected to run for a second term, there has been a surge in his support level. As 2012 electoral concerns gather pace, all the 18 chapters of the party have rallied around him. Countless associations and assorted groups have pitched camp with Imoke for 2012. Some of these groups like Supreme Coalition, Destiny Group, Imoke/Cobham Door-to-Door Campaign and the Cross River State House of Assembly among others paid Imoke a solidarity visit on January 1,2012 in his country home at Itigidi to re-assure him of their support. On that day, Itigidi was turned into one big carnival, and the next day, another socio-cultural group from the Southern Senatorial District, “Tinkoriko” also virtually ambushed the Governor in Calabar to pledge their loyalty and solidarity. The spectrum of support for Governor Imoke is as broad as it cuts across demographic and gender lines. This is not just a development natural to election seasons but a true witness to his approval ratings and an endorsement of the polarity and efficacy of his programmes by critical constituencies, interest groups, church leaders, elders and community leaders.
Senator Imoke’s legacy and political odyssey is far beyond the screeming headlines, and certainly beyond borders. It is a unique look at how a life laid at the service of humanity, state and country, has redefined the status quo and given the ordinary folks a different experience of governance.
Mr. ETOWA OKOI,a commentator on national issues, wrote from Calabar, Cross River State
