Imo 2015: Araraume vows to reclaim mandate

BY WILLY EYA

Those who only read in history books the good old days of politics with Nnamdi Azikwe, Obafemi Awolowo and Ahmadu Bello drawing huge crowds, needed to be in Imo recently to relive those glorious days. This is not about renting crowds but real and touch­ing. It was exciting because the crowd was not only genuine but ecstatic.

For a man battling to retrieve his stolen mandate, the second in eight years, Ifeanyi Godwin Ararume, a two-term Senator of the Federal Republic, he could not have asked for more. If the crowd was a pointer to his huge popularity in Imo State, he more than confirmed it. They told him in unmistakable terms that he is indeed the governor-in- waiting. Ever since that troubling night of December 8, 2014 when opposing forces tried to deny him the ticket of People’s Democratic Party, as the governorship candidate, this was the first time they were beholding Araraume in flesh and blood.

Indeed, to say it was a heroic welcome to this veteran of Imo politics; the man whose master stroke in 1999 won the governorship for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, against a formidable All Peoples Party, APP, a man whose strength and political prowess the opposition dreads, would be stating the obvious. It was an acknowledgement of massive sup­port from the masses whose lives he had positively touched and would continue to touch since 1998. They were there to tell him that come rain or sun shine, they would stay with him. They were there to pledge their loyalty and hear from him the direction to follow as the 2015 elections fast approach.

As early as 7:00am on Monday, thou­sands of Imo people cutting across politi­cal divides had converged on Imo airport to await the arrival of Senator Araraume. They defied the early morning harmattan haze to identify with the iconic politi­cal iroko, who is a recurring decimal in Imo politics. The outpouring of love and solidarity was unprecedented, as the sea of heads took over Imo airport, otherwise known as Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri. Some danced, others drummed. Yet others gathered in heated debate. How could PDP attempt to deny itself of victory by denying Araraume the ticket he won? That was the refrain.

And soon enough, Araraume emerged from the bowels of the flying bird to the rapturous welcome of his people. The entire airport erupted in joyous celebra­tion. There was a mild stampede, as everybody wanted to touch him at the same time. Even for a man referred to as ’’ hard”, the drops of tears in his eyes, betrayed Araraume’s emotions. Amidst the gyrating and swaying crowd, Ara­raume’s security details shepherded him to his car, where he stood in an open roof to acknowledge cheers from Imo people. The long motorcade, which snaked out of the airport was as huge as they came. Not since the visit of President Shehu Shagari in 1982 had Imo people seen such a snak­ing long convoy. Some swore it was more than 1,000 vehicles. But more surprises awaited Araraume, as he arrived town through Wethderal and Mbaise roads axis.

As the convoy hit those streets, tricycle riders, popularly known as keke, took charge of affairs. With blaring horns and hoisted placards, they proclaimed that Araraume was the candidate of PDP and that the sooner President Goodluck Jona­than and PDP leadership gave him the ticket, the better for the party. Some of the placards read: “You are our governor’’; “PDP can only win in Imo with you as candidate”; ‘’Return the stolen mandate”; “Let’s correct the mistakes of the past”.

Chanting solidarity songs, the keke rid­ers rode through Mbaise Road to Douglas Road where the popular Ekeukwu (Ow­erri Central) market is located. Market men and women poured out from their shops. As Araraume waved, the crowd became more fanatical with chants of “our governor” renting the air.

Although efforts were made to force Araraume down from his vehicle to address them, the crowd was prevailed upon to wait till the man got to the party secretariat. That was a mistake. Why? The crowd became uncontrollable. The result was terrible gridlock that ground the entire Douglas Road through Okigwe Road where the PDP secretariat is located. Imo literally stood still, as many abandoned whatever previously engaged their attention and joined the march to the PDP office. A journey which ordinarily should have taken three minutes took two hours to achieve. But it was worth the wait for those who had camped out at the secretariat.

It was the first time they heard the sordid story of what was perpetrated by some PDP officials in the name of Imo primaries. It was the first time they were benumbed by the shocking mathematics that 1,006 valid votes cast now turned wings and inflated themselves to the mon­strous 21 extra votes for Emeka Ihedioha. However, Araraume told them that justice must prevail. He told them that unlike 2007, Imo people should not allow en­emies of the people to foist a stranger on them as their governor. He told them that he won the primaries fair and square and that he remained the only man who could defeat Governor Rochas Okorocha.

As the crowd surged forward in acknowledgement, a drama ensued when Araraume canvassed support for Presi­dent Jonathan and PDP. They shouted “no PDP without you as candidate’’; “PDP must right the wrongs immediately’’. Af­ter he managed to calm the restive crowd, Araraume reiterated his belief in justice, assuring them that President Jonathan had pledged to ensure that justice was given a free rein in the affairs of PDP. According to the Senator, all hope was not lost, as the relevant organs of PDP are on the case to ensure that justice is done.

Done with his brief address at the party secretariat, Araraume set out for his cam­paign office located at Onistha Road, the northern part of Owerri city. As the traffic eased off at Okigwe Road, the entire As­sumpta Avenue, Bank Road and Onistha Road became chaotic. Motorists coming into Owerri were stranded for hours, as the carnival-like convoy of Araraume took its time to head to the campaign office. The spontaneous gathering of Imo people to accord a rousing welcome to Araraume was instructive because it spoke volumes of the man’s immense popularity.

It is also instructive that after seven years when some political conspirators denied him the opportunity to be governor after he had won the primaries and the main election, Araraume’s popularity is yet to wane. According to Mrs. Esther Onuoha, the cries of the people had risen to God that Araraume is the human mes­siah who can truly rescue Imo from bad governance characterised by impunity, corruption and primitive acquisition of wealth. She, therefore, appealed to PDP and all those concerned to flee from the wrath of God by restoring the Araraume’s mandate.

Similarly, Mr. Nonso Njoku, a student leader, who was part of the welcome party averred that the crowd was the evidence and proof needed to confirm Araraume, as the man of the people. “Just imagine this huge crowd even in Christmas season. What does it tell you? Simple, that Araraume is the man Imo people want. Please, tell PDP to give him his mandate to win Imo back for the party and President Jonathan.”

 

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