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Recent news coming out of Owerri, Imo State courtesy of Daily Champion newspaper (26 October 2007) is that the State House of Assembly has asked the Federal Government to honour INEC Chairman, Prof. Maurice Iwu. The legislators described Iwu as a “soldier of democracy”. Similarly, the Assembly men requested that a street be named after the infamous Professor. They asserted that Iwu be commended for making the State proud.
On the surface, this would seem perhaps a strange turn of events in this strange land called Nigeria. But to understand it, one needs to understand a thing or two about contemporaneous Imo politics.
Back in mid 1998 When General Abdusalami Abubakar announced an inevitable transition programme to democratic rule after Abacha mercifully keeled-over, Chief (now Eze) Ilomuanya called a meeting of the top “contractors”, hustlers and 419 practitioners of Imo descent, then mostly resident in Lagos, to advise a diversification of trade. That meeting took place in Lagos and in attendance were big players like the late Maurice Ibekwe, Hope Uzodinma, Tony Ezenna, Tony Chukwu, and a few others.
With the example of ex-Senator Arthur Nzeribe as bidding proof, these young turks did not require too much persuasion at all. Awash with cash, they relocated to Owerri and moved assiduously to put themselves in the right places. For guys who make it their business to always know where the action is and to read the scene correctly, a home was quickly found in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). As we say: why proceed to a funeral when there’s a chieftaincy party happening just nearby.
What initially began with diffident steps has become de rigueur. Protocols have been established; lines clearly delineated; and a well refined modus vivendi is now in place. Welcome to Imo State; home of REAL money politics.
In Imo politics, there is money, and there IS money. The new entrants not only possess the dexterity and cunning not available to the previous establishment grandees, they also have the foot soldiers. A lesson bitterly learnt by that old fox, Arthur Nzeribe. His “old money” just couldn’t compete. Quite a few of them have successfully inserted themselves into national and State political offices. Obviously, not all of these people ran for elective offices. Some have remained in the background (voluntarily or otherwise) directing traffic and oiling the wheels. Hope Uzodinma is one. This fine chap – for all intents and purposes – owns the Republic of Sao Tome. Tony Chukwu is another. INEC would probably not function logistically/materially without him. All roads (literarily) stop at Ilomuanya’s doorstep. Others are similarly reaping a bountiful return on their investment.
These are the true power blocks of Imo politics. The major stakeholders. Especially powerful is the Orlu axis. You cannot even think of beginning a political move or career in that State without going through them. When you go to introduce yourself to them individually, ensure you’re holding - among other things - a couple of cow ropes that you place affectionately on their coffee table. And on your trip for a collective audience with them, please fold away your political service programme or agenda. In fact, leave it at home. And if within five minutes of the audience granted you, you have not produced serious money, they walk out on you leaving you standing there looking silly. But you’re not done yet. You then proceed to the Chairmen of the relevant Local Councils to pay homage. You’ll have to say something like: “Chairman, I am passing through your kingdom. This is your drink; this is your envelope”. Then you proceed to the council of Ezes to, again, do the right thing. That is how you pay your dues. And lately, at election time proper, you’ll have to contend with the one and only Maurice Iwu. He, true to form, doesn’t come cheap at all; but he delivers. Among many others, Orji Kalu’s PPA would testify to this.
This system works so well that even their erstwhile Otimpkus (bag carriers; like some current State and Federal officers – for instance, one of its present Senators) are confidently allowed to hold top political posts. In Imo, Party affiliation matters very little. So, I’m always plenty amused when I read another news story of one “concerned citizen” group or one “Imo Association” or the other agitating about some irrelevant matter. These associations are mostly a motley assembly of lesser monies angling for a look-in. I laugh even harder when people try to ascribe higher or nobler intentions to the current political class in Imo. Not here Sir. It is strictly business - although the current governor seems to be making some initial commendable moves.
There are, of course, other heavyweights like Chiefs Udenwa, Rochas Okorocha, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and Senator Ifeanyi Ararume who are still in the thick of things. However, it is strictly speaking a symbiotic relationship with the NNukwu MMawus (chief masquerades) and their control of the political environment (with the exception of Ararume) is considerably weakened. The young turks have a hand in the appointment of every political office holder from the Local Government level right on upwards. Even Obasanjo knew enough to negotiate with them.
There is a variation of this system in Abia State. The difference is that while in Imo everything is done in a businesslike and completely civilised manner, in Abia, Orji Kalu introduced unpleasantness. Also, Kalu personalised everything and grabbed all for himself and his immediate family.
Even in the social arena, Imo remains peerless. Though the Yorubas invented the “spraying” of money at parties, this art has been redefined in the South East. In Imo State, it has been further inauspiciously elevated to an absurd level. You have never heard music switched around in mid play as quickly as Oliver de Coque does when these big masquerades turn up at a social function. In Imo, you just don’t spray the money; you have to learn the very special way the money is transported to the dance floor and the wonderfully fanciful way it is held!
This is the State with the highest literacy level in Nigeria. Until recently, it has a very vibrant and highly vocal professional class. Curiously, this class now seems quite happy to take instructions and directions from the new political class. Oh, things have changed vastly since the days of the very charismatic Chief K. O. Mbadiwe, the very man of timber and calibre. He talked quite brilliantly and talked quite often but he never left his people completely impoverished. Then came Governor Sam Mbakwe a man truly of the people who spoke and understood their language and needs. In fact, most of the infrastructures still feebly clinging on to life in Imo State were arduously put in place by him. Presently, there is not one single thriving industry in Imo State. What you have is a smattering of “me alone” firms and businesses doing the best they can. Now - as it is in the rest of Nigeria - it’s all about money and self aggrandisement.
demdem@hotmail.co.uk
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Posted by Robot| 05.11.2007 19:40