There are palpable fears in the Imo State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), as indications have emerged late last week that the National Leadership of the party and the Presidency are alleged to have concluded arrangements to endorse the candidacy of Distinguished Senator Ifeanyi Godwin Araraume for the 2015 governorship election in Imo State.
This is not however without some high level objections and protests from certain quarters both in Imo and Abuja. The alleged endorsement does not however fore close the conduct of a seeming transparent governorship primary that will produce an acceptable candidate. However presidency sources have revealed that the magic that produced Ayo Fayose in Ekiti State and Senator Iyiola Omisore in Osun State has since been adopted for the Imo State primaries. In both states, not only did the old war horses emerge, as the governorship candidates, there were wild protests and rejection by other contestants; some of who demanded a refund of the #11m nomination fees which each of them paid.
Senator Ifeanyi Ararume was endorsed for the fact that he was unjustly maligned, maltreated and punished even though he was principally responsible for the victory of the PDP in Imo State since 1999. By 2003 when the likes of late Sam Mbakwe and other major stakeholders of Okigwe Zone including Late Senator Emeka Echeruo kicked against a second tenure for Chief Achike Udenwa, it took the political pragmatism and sagacity of Senator Ifeanyi Ararume to destabilize such dissent and return power to PDP despite the near dessertation of PDP by the likes of Emeka Nwajiuba, Chief Humphrey Anumudu, Dr Joe Obi Njoku, Chief Martin Agbaso, Chief Charles Ugwu, to mention but a few. Among top political leaders strongly and unrelentingly pushing the case of Senator Ifeanyi Ararume are Governor T.A. Orji, the party’s BOT Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih, and Alagbo Graham Douglas. Others are Dr Peter Odili and a host of others who felt it is time to compensate Godwin Ararume for the injustice and wickedness meted out on him.
Interestingly, President Goodluck Jonathan seems to have had a premonition of this particular permutation in mind, while speaking on the occasion of his receiving PDP decampees at a mass rally staged by the party in Owerri. In his speech at the occasion, he declared, “no demon will stop PDP governorship victory in 2015”. Speaking further the President drew the attention of the party faithful to the fact that once they have been readmitted into the party, there would be no other exit. To realize the new re-alignment in Imo PDP that will throw up Araraume as the preferred choice, the National Leadership of PDP, has entered into a pact with Achike Udenwas Redemption Camp to which a Deputy Governorship slot has been conceded. Initially the choice was dangled before the powerful wife of Governor Udenwa but the offer was rejected by the patriarch who prefers his loyal confidant and former ALGON State Chairman, Major Chukwudi Eze. Another interest group has been fronting Senator Chris ND Anyanwu as running mate to Senator Ifeanyi Araraume as a condition for compromise. They reason that any consideration that eliminates Owerri Zone from contention at the Executive Council this time around under the PDP, will be counterproductive. They insist that the least the Owerri People can accept or tolerate is the option of a Deputy Governor. This they believe is to further prepare Owerri for succession in 2019. Meanwhile, both Hons. Emeka Ihedioha and the Bethel Amadi who are frontline gubernatorial candidates have continued unperturbed over the romance of the Presidency, PDP National Chairman Muazu and BOT Chairman Anenih with Ifeanyi Araraume. While RT Hon. Bethel Amadis in-law, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion has concluded plans to dump the PDP, following the party’s refusal to endorse the son in-law for the governorship election, Bethel Amadi is said to be eyeing the Labour Party (LP) as an alternative platform to realize his dream should PDP deny him the ticket.
When Community Watchdog Newspaper called the PAN African President to confirm this speculation which was rife and gaining grounds he promptly denied it and claimed it was the handiwork of his opponents and detractors especially from the Ihediohas camp.
The worst case scenario is that unrepentant and sworn enemies of Distinguished Senator Ifeanyi Araraume have once more gone back to the drawing board with their evil machinations and invidious conspiracy to scuttle his ambition once more.
Stunned by the impenetrable level of acceptance, goodwill and support enjoyed by the two time Senator, these perceived detractors are already spoiling for war with a killer punch on the premise that Obasanjo will never live to see Godwin Ifeanyi Araraume become governor not knowing that Obasanjo is no more relevant in this dispensation part of the demonic strategies they hope to play up to rubbish the Ugwumba Okigwe is to re-invent the same old story of Okigwe Political gladiators who though accept a black President for USA, are busy asking “nna gi obu onye imo”. They had deceived Chief Udenwa in 2007 into abandoning Araraume because of their threat to follow Charles Ugwu to ANPP. Others are the likes of Dr Alex Obi who swore that he will not forgive Araraume for rejecting him in 2011 for RT Hon. Noel Chukwukadibia Agwuocha as running mate.
Courtesy: Community Watchdog Newspaper
