Imo State LP 2023 gubernatorial race
Labour Party is riding on populist waves.
In the south east today, the party is where serious contenders want to play which makes internal democracy more challenging, indeed bitter unless checked from on set.
LP chieftains need face/resolve a recent historical malaise as they prepare for the Imo gubernatorial race scheduled for November, 2023.
Recent past governors of Imo state (1999 to now) are from Okigwe and Orlu zones. In 2019, former House deputy speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, was elected but was sacked via a troubled supreme court ruling that gave victory to the incumbent despite the electoral umpire, INEC, saying the figures being brandished by the appellant was strange to the commission.
The LP presidential flag bearer, Peter Obi, is vastly supported in the South East beyond his personal records and character. The need to right the wrongs done Ndigbo vis-a-vis the presidency is a driving force also.
Former Enugu State governor, Chief Jim Nwobodo opposed Dr. Alex Ekwueme to avenge his view that Ekwueme betrayed Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe in the 1979 race.
Equally, Orji Uzor Kalu opposed Ekwueme over the party’s zoning policy. Orji feared that Ekwueme’s victory would stall his chance for years until the opportunity returned to the South East.
Thus, along with other leading Igbo sons, they backed Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
The view that top military brass favoured Obasanjo to compensate the Yorubas over Chief Moshood Abiola’s toppled victory in 1983 is false.
They wanted one of their own for selfish interests. Igbo sons turning their back on Ekwueme strengthened Obasanjo and continues to haunt the race to this day. Had Ndigbo stood behind Ekwueme, Obasanjo would have served one term and Nigeria wouldn’t be what it is today…
The point is this: Imo State Labour Party can and needs to right the wrong done the Owerri-Mbaise peoples regarding the 2019 gubernatorial election.
PDP’s Emeka Ihedioha (Mbaise) showed utter impudence. LP zoning the governorship ticket there in one accord helps the battle ahead.
The thirteen nominees may be eminently qualified. Yet, fighting for the ticket will inevitably drain each and bring bad blood to bear.
I suggest each zone picks one nominee (not limited to those on ground) from the Owerri zone and present them for the party primary.
The notion that everyone qualifies to run in a democracy leads to chaos and sows the seed for inevitable failure.
Let’s look at the North! Rarely do they present more than a candidate in each election cycle.
Why? More than other ethnic groups, they understand unity is strength. Their problem, however is that ‘unity’ is forced down the peoples throat! It can and should be done better.
Without a common front against him, the incumbent wins, his irredeemable past ever present.
Imo gubernatorial race 2023 is lost with LP settling for internal free-for-all. Yet, honesty, equity and unity borne of wise counsel, make the difference!
