By Charles Kumolu, Deputy Features Editor

No matter how it’s viewed next week’s governorship election in Imo State promises to be a fierce battle.

Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorochaokorocha

Unlike conventional wars governed by rules, there are no laws to be observed.

All the political players are going for broke without recourse to reason.

Whether there would be victims or not, is a rhetorical question because only a few will count their blessings after the contest.

Whatever happens in Imo could either pass as an endorsement of the culture of imposition or red card for impunity.

Much as the situation is worrisome for Imolites, it largely presents an opportunity to redefine politics in the state.

Settle for an option

Saturday Vanguard believes the choice before the 1,932,892 voters in the state are difficult but they must settle for an option.

It is unlikely if the circumstances under which the decision would be made would not be unpleasant considering the deep-seated animosity among the candidates and their supporters.

The atmosphere is charged already with the state governor, Rochas Okorocha, his son-in-law and governorship candidate of Action Alliance, AA, Uche Nwosu, governorship candidate of All Progressive Congress,APC, Sen Hope Uzodinma, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, flagbearer, Chief Emeka Ihedioha; Chief Ikedi Ohakim of Accord Party and All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, candidate, Ifeanyi Ararume set for the mother of all contests.

Given that Okorocha’s insistence on having Nwosu as his successor contributed to making Imo a flashpoint, it is right to assume that the exercise may literally be between his son-in-law and Uzodinma.

But that is not the case as the candidacy of Ihedioha, Ohakim and Ararume has also raised the stakes in Imo.

Last-minute maneuverings

Like the other two candidates, Ihedioha and Ararume are in the war from a position strength, while Ohakim does not seem to be a factor in the race.

However, the strengths and weaknesses of all the candidates are the arsenals that could make the contest implosive.

Anyone, who underrates another, would be doing so at his own peril.

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To finish strong, Saturday Vanguard learned that the candidates have embarked on last-minute maneuverings to woo stakeholders.

Some moves were found to be surreptitious, increasing fears that the poll could lead to an implosion in the state.

For instance, sources told Saturday Vanguard that one of the candidates, whose ambition is opposed by the national leadership of the APC, gathered Independent Electoral National Commission, INEC, officials in Owerri, where he made juicy offers to them.

Specifically, he was said to have promised each of the officials N1million, plots of land anywhere of their choice.

Explaining these to Saturday Vanguard, the source said: “The candidate whose ambition is causing trouble in the state, invited   INEC officials to Brook Hotels last Tuesday in the evening and made several promises to them. He said that if they delivered, each of them will get N1 million and plots of land.

“The young man, who boasted that he is already the Governor-elect, asked them to get the numbers of   collation officers across the state and get back to him on Friday evening.”

Worried about this, the source called on the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in the state, Prof Francis Ezeonu to ensure that his men do not compromise the electoral process.

“The   REC should call his officials to order because anyone who works against the people may not live to enjoy the money collected from any candidate,” he threatened.

However, Saturday Vanguard learned that things are looking up for APC’s Uzondinma, who emerged as the party’s candidate despite Okorocha’s preference of Nwosu and Emeka Ihedioha whose party, PDP performed well in the February 23 Presidential and National Assembly elections. Ihedioha was believed to have done well in the 2015 elections but lost to the bandwagon effect after APC won at the centre.

The rivalry that characterised Uzodimma’s relationship with state governor’s camp would definitely play out in larger scales on Saturday.

It may even be worsened given fears that the governor could use security agencies to influence how people would vote.

The anxiety stemmed from claims that Okorocha used the police to intimidate INEC officials during last Saturday’s senatorial polls.   INEC had promised to look into the various petitions against the governor but there is apprehension.

There is apprehension

There are fears that the incident which saw the governor’s supporters allegedly forcing the Returning Officer in Imo State, Prof Ibeabuchi Innocent to announce Okorocha as the winner of Imo West senatorial poll, may also play out next week.

Should this happen, there could be a general revolt given that majority in the state is believed to be united against impunity.

A source in Uzodinma’s camp said apart from the support of the national leadership, the senator representing Orlu Zone enjoys the backing of the generality of those opposed to Okorocha’s son-in-law.

He said that two influential blocs, the Catholic Church and the traditional rulers, who the governor had allegedly offended, are backing Uzodinma.

Though the two groups which are non-partisan have not openly endorsed the governorship hopeful, Saturday Vanguard learned Okorocha’s battle with Archbishop Anthony Obinna and the suspension of the salaries of traditional rulers for two years, informed their grouse against him.

Ihedioha is another candidate many elders and traditional rulers aside the church have also endorsed. And if the last elections in the state are anything to go by he could be moving to the government house. The sentiment of the next governor coming from the Owerri-Mbaise areas appears to be working for him.

Stopping the Okorocha agenda

Giving the true picture of the situation in Imo, a source said: “ We can’t deny that the PDP is not exploiting the crisis Okorocha instigated.   I learned the Commissioner of Police, CP, has been removed. If we have a CP who will be neutral Hope (Uzodinma) or Ihedioha will win the election.     Rochas turned Imo into a family estate and the people are not happy about that. The fact that Hope ensured that Rochas’ son-in-law did not get the ticket, endeared Hope to Imo people. They have come to love Hope so much for stopping the Okorocha agenda.

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“In fact, Hope is now a hero in the state because our people recognsied that he was the man, who stopped Rochas from getting the APC ticket for Uche Nwosu. Even a few people, who were not supporting Hope before are now supporting him.

Another source strongly spoke of many things going for Ihedioha, one of which is the party which people now believe is pro people than the rest especially after their experience with the outgoing government.

“People are not happy with APC because of the way Okorocha tried to make government a family affair. Their agitation may count against Uzodimma who is leading the APC campaign as the candidate.”

Salaries of traditional rulers

However, another analyst said that Uzodimma being a former PDP member gave him the support of some PDP members in the state. He spoke of cracks in PDP structure in the state. “There was a time Imo PDP was known as new-PDP as a result of the division. The crisis affected the party in the state to the extent that they longer have structure.”

As true as this seemed, last election has proved that fences have been mended in PDP and they appear united for victory. Saturday will be dicey.

There was a time Rochas did not pay the salary of about 50 traditional rulers for two years. It happened after the traditional rulers welcomed President Goodluck Jonathan who visited Imo at the time. Hope paid their salaries for the two years that Rochas did not pay them.   Now, all the traditional rulers in Imos State are behind Hope for doing that. Being a member of the ruling party also raised the bar.

Rochas   offended the church

Ihedioha, who is banking on popularity, was gathered to have intensified his campaign across the 27   LGAs.

That is in addition to indications that some appointees of the incumbent governor are currently working for him secretly.

Their grouse, it was learned are mainly based on two grounds: The manner in which Nwosu’s ambition is being pursued by Okorocha and the master-servant atmosphere under which they claim to work.

Sources close to Ihedioha told Saturday Vanguard that the PDP presidential candidate’s   334,923 votes out of 542,777 total votes cast in the state, came as a morale booster.

He even alluded to the finding in a statement last Wednesday by the Spokesperson of Ihedioha Campaign Organisation,   Mr. Kissinger Imeokwu.

The statement said:” Ihedioha expressed joy that despite massive vote buying and intimidation, Imo people kept faith by voting the PDP. The results from across the state showed clearly that Imo people love and voted the PDP massively.

“He also urges Imo people to come out enmass on the 9th of March, 2019 to vote the PDP, because voting the PDP on March 9, is the only way to liberate Imo State from bad governance and place the state on a path of sustained growth and prosperity under Hon Ihedioha as governor.

“He further promised that under the PDP leadership Imo people will witness good governance, quality infrastructure, transparency and accountability in leadership, reformed civil service, improved revenue generation, quality and affordable healthcare, quality education and many more. He stated that PDP will guarantee full payment of salaries to Imo workers, while the welfare of the pensioners will be given adequate attention.

“He enjoined Imolites not to let anything deter them in their resolve to take back their state from those who have held the state back for the past eight years. He beckoned on Ndi Imo to come out en masse and vote for the PDP and ensure they defend their votes. He insisted that Ndi Imo should resist all forms vote buying and intimidation on the day of the governorship election.”

Imo people appear united against impunity and their verdict may favour Uzodimma or Ihedioha on Saturday.