Attack on Nzeribe's Office, Fresh Challenges Before PDP

By

Emeka Oraetoka

limpidresources@yahoo.co.uk

 

One frightening implication of hesitation on the part of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in decisively dealing with future occurrence of the ugly incident of looting and arson in its fold as witnessed on 18^th April 2006, in Orlu LGA, will surely be an organized incubation of anarchy in PDP in particular, and Nigeria in general.

 

Before the incident, at least there were more than 30 advertorials on the pages of reputable Newspapers alone, as well as electronic media in Nigeria, on the recall of Senator Arthur Nzeribe from the senate. First, the promoters informed that they have opened registers for signatures in the Twelve (12) local government areas that constitute Orlu Senatorial Zone, for the recall of Nzeribe. While it is the inalienable right of the recalling constituency to collect signatories, it is democratically wrong for them to embark on wanton destruction of properties and looting in the name of recall. Having opened registers for the recall of Nzeribe, was the rally organized for the purpose, legal and democratic, considering the fact that police permission may not have been sought for the rally in the first place, otherwise, what justification do the organizers of the rally have for the looting and destruction of properties in Nzeribe’s office during the so- called rally?

 

The report of what transpired on the 18^th April 2006, in Orlu LGA as written by many National dailies showed that the demonstration was carefully organized. This is how THE GUARDIAN, of Wednesday, April 19, 2006 reported on the protest: “Among those at the protest tagged: “one million man March against Nzeribe”, was a senior official of the state assembly as well as some serving and former Imo government officials. This report clearly showed the hand of state government in Nzeribe’s travail. Rationally, if we are to go by THE GUARDIAN report, it becomes obvious that the recall adverts in both print and electronic media, estimated at roughly Fifty Million Naira (N50M), suspected to be taxpayers’ money in Imo State, can only emanate from the purse of state government.

 

From speeches at the protest ground as reported by ThisDay, The Punch and GUARDIAN Newspapers, it could be established beyond doubt, that the reason behind the recall mantra is the issue of State Creation agitations’. The protesters were apparently agitated over Nzeribe’s advocacy for the creation of Orashi State, as against the creation of Orlu/Njaba State. Perhaps it was the realization that the recall option could never see the light of the day that its promoters decided to organize what they called “one million man March”. How can they muster the requires 2/3 majority in the twelve local government areas [12] that constitute Imo west, when the Orashi State being canvassed by Nzeribe and Co. is made up of six [6] local government areas from Imo west. With this scenario, how can only 6 LGA sign up for Nzeribe’s recall in mind, they resorted to arson and looting, probably out of frustration.

 

Reports have it that governor Achike Udenwa led agitation for the creation of Orlu/Njaba State was an after thought. Experts say that since Udenwa has seen that as far as Imo state PDP is concerned, his political hope remains bleak, as the whole PDP structure has been taken away from him; then as a fall back position, he is opting for the creation of Orlu/Njaba State, which he hopes to use to fight PDP at a later date. It will be recalled that before now, Nzeribe and Udenwa were in league for the creation of Orlu/Njaba State, but when Udenwa lost out in the control of Imo state PDP, which analysts attributed to his “shifty loyalty” to President Obasanjo and PDP; Nzeribe and Co. felt that it will be suicidal for them to stick to the early agitation for Orlu/Njaba State, as it may amount to political hara-kiri. It was further felt that for them [Orashi State agitators to be given a chance to produce a State, there must be a clean break from Udenwa’s group] they then resolved to apply the principle of  “half bread is better than non”- since it is no more reasonable to stick to the creation of Orlu/Njaba State in view of Udenwa & Co. open transgression against PDP, it becomes logical to demand for State base on loyalty to PDP led government in power. It is on the basis this fact [disloyalty and subversive-ness] that Udenwa and Co. were advised to forget about their agitation because there is no way President Obasanjo led PDP government can open its eyes and donate a State to it’s enemy, Udenwa and Co.

 

Lovers of democracy have warned that the latest thuggery politics introduced in Orlu LGA in Imo State PDP should be halt at all cost. They reasoned that reactionary forces could capitalize on this unfortunate incident to creep into PDP led government if not comprehensively checked. They hinged their view on the curious but mind-bugging looting of property and arson, as issues that call for serious action on the part of PDP led government. For instance, Dr. Samfo Nwankwo, who is probably the leader of Orlu Political Consultative Assembly (OPOCA), and the President of National Union of True Igbo moverment (NUTIM) on Sunday, April 16, 2006 page 9, threatened to deal with Lawmakers from Southeast in support of 3^rd Term agenda. For avoidance of doubt, this is how ThisDay Newspaper reported the threat from Samfo Nwankwo led NUTIM, said to be an affiliate of Ohaneze: Ohaneze Threatens 3^rd Term Lawmakers. A rational reconciliation of Samfo Nwankwo led NUTIM’s threat on Lawmakers from Southeast in support of 3^rd term, and the same Nwankwo led OPOCA call for Senator Nzeribe recall, for agitating for the creation of Orashi State; one can then see the reason behind the desperation in the camp of Udenwa and Co. for the creation of Orlu/Njaba State [ get Orlu/Njaba State at all cost so that at the appropriate time we would use it to deal with PDP led government]. Nwankwo was reminded that Achike Udenwa supported 3^rd term in Abakaliki, during the public hearing on Constitution amendment, why exonerating him from the NUTIM’s threat?