2019: PDP, Ihedioha And Imo State. By Francis Ogbonna

The failure by the Rochas Okorocha led government to leverage the good will it rode to power with in 2011 and deliver the proverbial dividends of democracy to the good people of Imo state, throws the door open for other well meaning political players to step in and grab the reins of power from the incumbent.

However, like most keen political watchers know, wrestling power away from incumbents (even when unpopular) or their stooges, like Uche Nwosu, the Okorocha-anointed replacement have been dubbed by many to be could prove a tough nut to crack.

Asides having the machinery of government, large staff and ‘public funds’ to execute their campaigns with, they also enjoy institutional support e.g. help from interest groups, as well as support from individuals who have benefitted from their reigns and hope to continue enjoying such privileges.

Consequently, to liberate Imo people, commentators say challenging parties must not only have a solid political structure across the state, but as well present a viable candidate as its flagbearer and at the moment only the former ruling party, the PDP is blessed with both factors.

Now that the PDP hold the all aces-that is have a robust political structure that can match or even surpass that of the current governor, it is pertinent that complement this with a not just a bankable but a capable candidate or the people of Imo will continue to suffer with the extension of Okorocha’s government through his son-in-law, Nwosu.

At the moment, the PDP have five governorship aspirants that have made their intensions to take over the ‘Douglas House’ known. They are a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha; former Imo State Governor, Ikedi Ohakim; Senator Athan Achonu; Imo State born Hon.Tony Nwulu who represents Isolo/Oshodi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives; Former VC of Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) Prof. Jude Njoku and Senator representing Owerri zone, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

Speculations are also rife that more aspirants will soon join the governorship contest.

However, of all these governorship hopefuls, one aspirant stands tall and that is the former Deputy Speaker of the country’s House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha and I’ll urge the PDP to rally around him, because he is the person primed to sack the present occupier of the seat.

Beneath are the reasons for my submission:

· No other aspirants, at least within the party have been able to articulate the daunting challenges facing the Imo people and proffer solutions to them one after the other, like Ihedioha has in time past. His understanding of the task ahead and what needs to be done to position the state on the path of productivity again is unrivalled. Talk about pedigree Ihedioha has got it. His experience and multiple capacities come in handy here.

· Ihedioha, having played politics (without rancor) at the highest level, know what door to knock at the national level and how to knock on such doors so as to get them opened to Imo people.

. The grassroots support and presence he has garnered through the various support groups, assiduously mobilizing for the actualization of the God's ordained Liberation of Imo State using Rt. Hon. Ihedioha, as a willing instrument cannot be ignored. He has readied, over 7 formidable well organised groups with structures from state, zonal, LGA, Wards up to polling booth level across the state. I consider these assets, veritable enough for the party at large.

· His passion also to see his people, especially youths of the heartland state take their place in the scheme of things sets him apart.

· Ihedioha will not jump ship like most of his contemporaries do. Since he helped found the PDP in 1998, he has remained faithful, loyal and committed to the party and its ideals, even at the peak of the Sheriff/Markafi crisis that almost consumed the party. Unlike some aspirants who stood on the fence, Ihedioha played a key role in the eventual resolution of the crisis.

More so, while the scuffle lasted, some major political parties, including the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), All Progressives Grand Alliance made deliberate efforts to woo him to their sides, understanding what having an Ihedioha could help them achieve, he politely has always scoffed at their advances.

· Add to this the fact that Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha has overtime helped stabilize executives in Imo PDP, both presently and in time past. We have seen him overtime replicate in Imo, the peace he and his principal, Rt Hon. Aminu Tambuwal brought to the House under their watch. Ihedioha is a bridge-builder, who exudes humility, confidence and maturity in all his undertakings.

· Lastly, Emeka Ihedioha is one leader who, neither has been fingered in any form of underhand dealings nor come under the scrutiny of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Not for once. Little wonder, even the church as a critical stakeholder in Imo elections, is reported to have taken interest in his governorship bid.

Despite the orchestrated campaign of calumny launched against him as the PDP governorship candidate in the 2015 general elections, there's a general believe that he not only ran the best campaign amongst other contestants but that he won the popular votes cast. Sadly the results as was revealed afterwards were compromised in connivance with some persons he mistook as allies.

The cheering news is that he bounced back too soon and has been consequentially involved at all levels in the reformation and rebranding of the PDP.

Another good news is that the many lies and negative propaganda that affected Ihedioha's image and campaign during the 2015 general elections have naturally given way for the truth as lies they say, thrive for just a while, and truth, a constant.

Ndimo, now know better.

So PDP, what are you waiting for? Behold your man-Rt. Hon Chukwuemeka Nkemakolam Ihedioha, CON!

Ndimo, Behold our governor!