By FRED NWAOZOR

The last time I checked, the erstwhile Imo State Governor whose reign was short-lived, Chief Emeka Ihedioha was no longer a registered member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

This fact was confirmed on 25^th April 2024 when the public sphere was characterized by a Resignation Letter (dated 23/04/2024) signed by the said politician and addressed to the Chairman of the PDP in his political ward (Mbutu Ward) in Aboh-Mbaise LGA of Imo State, as well as copied to the state, national and Board of Trustees (BOT) chairmen of the party.

It’s noteworthy that Chief Ihedioha was not standing alone. In other words, several other political stalwarts of the PDP, of Imo extraction, equally resigned from the party with immediate effect. This signifies that their actions were well planned.

Since the rebirth of democracy in Nigeria in 1999 via the emergence of the Fourth Republic, and till date remains unbroken, cross-carpeting has hitherto been not unlike a norm in the country’s democratic terrain.

It suffices to assert that virtually every active political actor within the shores of Nigeria, irrespective of class, has in one way or the other patronized the aforementioned societal practice.

To the best of my knowledge, the prime factor(s) that occasions such act is usually not unconnected with loss of internal democracy within the affected political party and/or selfish interest of the cross-carpeter (decampee).

But one could hardly deduce what actually prompted the action of Chief Ihedioha and his allies, though their reasons might not be far-fetched from the usual story.

According to Ihedioha, the PDP had recently taken on a path that’s at variance with his personal beliefs, and had reportedly refused to accept his counsel. He also pointed out that the party was “no longer able to carry out internal reforms”.

Many onlookers have opined that Ihedioha and his likes are moving to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as they could not afford to be in the opposition for the next three to four years. This set of people are of the view that the decampees are only seeking political recognition from the party in power.

If aptly considered and cross-examined, any discerning observer would realize that Ihedioha’s ordeal in PDP could be rightly traced to the last pre-electioneering era in Imo State, being 2023, that heralded the second tenure of the present Governor, Chief Hope Uzodinma.

During that phase, Ihedioha who earlier reportedly aspired to contest for the November 2023 Imo guber poll under the auspices of the PDP, against Chief Uzodinma of the APC, unceremoniously notified the general public that he would no longer be vying for the party’s ticket.

Though the announcement didn’t come as a big surprise to the few Imolites who then understood the internal political structure of the PDP, it was a ‘big blow’ to those who had longed and wished to see him emerge as the next executive governor of the State.

The Imo structure of the PDP was then apparently controlled by Senator Samuel Anyanwu who happened to be the National Secretary of the party, and equally nurtured interest to contest the State’s 2023 governorship election.

It’s worth noting that Sen. Anyanwu eventually emerged the flag-bearer of the party for the said poll, although he was later defeated by the sitting Governor of the APC during the main election.

A few of us who truly acknowledged what actually transpired in the State was of the view that Ihedioha would thereafter tender his resignation from the PDP, but perhaps his age-long ‘investment’ and commitment in the party since its inception propelled his person to consider a rethink.

History has it that Ihedioha was part of the founding members of the PDP far back in 1998, and had remained committed twenty six years later amidst all odds, having witnessed countless defections by thousands of stalwarts from the party to elsewhere at various occasions. For this attitude alone, he deserved a flower from any individual or group who has hitherto been following Nigeria’s political events.

Ihedioha remained consistent as regards maintaining his membership in the PDP, even years after the party lost out at the federal level. This behaviour is quite different compared to the present days’ politicians across the Nigerian State.

Ex-Imo Governor Ihedioha dumps PDP

In recent times, typical politicians in Nigeria have been known to pay more attention to stomach infrastructure than participating actively to protect their party ideologies. A few of them who may pretend not to be self-minded, would fall out the moment the their party begins to experience a minor internal crisis, which is not uncommon to most corporate entities across the globe.

This signifies that losing someone like Ihedioha as a member of the PDP, is a great loss to the party. Even if the rest of the party members pretend not to feel the pain that has befallen their platform, the discerning members of the public could obviously observe the quagmire.

The PDP’s leadership wouldn’t have allowed Ihedioha to take such a harsh step, knowing full well that he had remained a loyal member of the party, but the selfishness of some of the party members resulted in this very unpalatable phase.

A dedicated and committed member of any group, such as Ihedioha, could boast of mammoth followers and allies in the group, hence deserved to be pampered without using the baby pampers, taking into cognizance that his departure would create a great vacuum; and nature abhors vacuum let alone a colossal one.

The good news is that, the PDP still has a chance of reclaiming Ihedioha’s loyalty because they only lost him to resignation, not death; and I’m not unaware that the politician in question would also wish to retrace his steps if the expected respect and honour is accorded to his person by the leadership of the PDP.

This is the time the State, and the country at large, require a wholesome opposition for the good of the electorate. To have such a healthy feature, the PDP is in need of a true and old member like Ihedioha.

It’s really appalling and disheartening that presently, a country like Nigeria cannot boast of any opposition to the ruling party. There’s no single political party that currently tenders constructive criticism to the policies of the government. The only opposition the people could observe or feel is Mr. Peter Obi as an individual. This isn’t healthy for the growth of the polity; governance in particular.

Going forward, Chief Ihedioha and his teeming followers must apply caution, so they won’t end up losing everything they have laboured for as a team, because a good labourer deserves a wage. They ought to, therefore, be very mindful and cautious of any action intended to be taken in the nearest future.

Everyone, including myself, is anxiously waiting to see the following action to be taken by the group of decampees in Imo. The bitter fact is that most of these persons cannot wait to laugh at Ihedioha, some of them are waiting to jeer at his person, whilst just a few is interested in cheering him up.

Ihedioha and his numerous supporters may have arguably taken a commendable decision by officially resigning their membership from the PDP, but they must take into cognizance that any step taken henceforth might further build or end their careers as politicians. Think about it!

*NWAOZOR, a Policy Analyst & Rights Activist, writes via frednwaozor@gmail.com, +2348028608056

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