HISTORY sometimes has a curious sense of humour. It has a funny way of playing some corny jokes on the human race, as it strives to repeat itself, perhaps to drum it into mankind’s thick skull that only its first cousin, time, and its grand self can determine the fortune or the misfortune of man on the planet.

A historical precedent seems to describe graphically Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan’s recent declaration of interest in the normally convoluted and thereby sissphean race to Government House, Asaba.

Uduaghan, perhaps playing the Jonathan to the hilt, few days ago broke his pregnant silence and fence-sitting over having any ambition to vie for Delta State’s biggest swivelling chair; that is after the hues and parrot cries of his retinue of admirers who had taken it upon themselves to blow his big trumpet for him.

The man might have been acting out a Jonathan script afterall, since that same political gambit is our President’s own very stock-in-trade.

You will recall that before Dr. Jonathan’s epoch-making declaration at the Eagles Square, Abuja – forget the fact that Atiku had denied ever knowing that the President had declared any interest in the presidency of 2011 (That man must be living light years away from this planet!), the battalion of admirers had been begging him practically to run in 2011.

However, the black-hatted ebony complexioned wonderkid had kept a judicious silence screaming with hidden nuances. Yes, the auspiciously favoured doctor had kept his political card close to his chest, so much so that a time came when the entire populace was left speculating and guessing. Then when it came to a shattering climax of expectation and quasi-evocation, Dr. Jonathan let the cat out of the proverbial bag in style, stunning the entire world in the sheer dramatic unpredictability of it.

Dr. Uduaghan, it seems, have borrowed a leaf from the President. When his political associates had been singing his praise seemingly, pre-empting his declaration of interest, the amiable medical doctor turned Governor had urbanely kept his cool, not saying a word.

Despite the paen of adoration and adulation Uduaghan had soaked all in keeping his political features, deadpan and inscrutable, his game plan shrouded in secrecy and deliberation. However, with the declaration of Dr. Jonathan. Dr Uduaghan has followed the President’s political barometer.

It must be affirmed right away that that Sapele declaration of Uduaghan days ago shares many things with his success at the PDP primaries at Ogwashi-uku  many years ago. For a start, it was first slated for Port Harcourt, but it was later to be transferred to Ogwashi-uku courtesy of an E.K. Clark’s factor.

Although regarded as the proverbial dark horse at that primaries, Dr. Uduaghan’s electoral fortune somersaulted auspiciously and he thrashed all the other contestants soundly, polling a whopping 2448 to Okowa’s – his closest rival – 1142. Ovie Omo-Agege polled 951, Ehwerido 507, Cario 280, Obule 176, Obielum 82, Ortega 76, Okumagba 50, Gbimije 20, Prof. Odita 19 and Gbagi four. The victory of Uduaghan was spectacular as it was surprising.

And the present declaration is in many respects similar to his endorsement in 2007. To start with, his declaration was first slated for Abraka, but for one reason or the other which seems to be concealed from people, it was shifted to Sapele, and it coming at the heels of Dr. Jonathan’s own declaration is doubly symbolic. As it was in 2007 when even in the midst of acrimony and dissension and even underestimation, Dr. Uduaghan won convincingly; so will it also be this time around.

Especially if one remembers that all those who contested the PDP primaries with him in  2007 have become members and operatives of his government, enjoying a high degree of rapport and empathy with him. It is perfectly clear that Dr. Uduaghan is getting set to ride roughshod over whoever and whatever the opposition might be this time around.

Mr. Gab Ejuwa, a journalist, writes from Lagos.