WRITTEN BY NZE DURU KIZITO

One of the things that characterize every political period is propaganda. Some of these propaganda are too watery to deserve a rejoinder, hence it is allowed to die a natural death. Some are professionally shaped and manufactured to a point that the receiver or the target would have to engage media warlords to counter and change the narrative. But overtime, events have shown that, no matter how watery or unbelievable a narrative appears to be, there is need to combat it with truth before the little false story grows into a monster and causes so much damages to one’s political career.

Lies if continuously propagated, watered, fertilized and allowed a favourable ambience to thrive, will always attack and dominate truth, thereby causing individuals affected by their peddling to count loses, unreservedly.

Lies are like cankerworms which should not be allowed a space near a priceless wood furniture, else it wreaks damage on it. Hence, no serious minded individual, public figure, group or organization smiles at lies, especially when they are unleashed by mischievous individuals with the intention to damage a reputation or deprive a price.

The series of media attacks arrowed towards the direction of the National Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), by a few but loquacious individuals, who have not shown signs of shutting up, calls for a proper review, with the view of establishing lasting truth that will restore peace, unity in the party and above all, stop the underserved attacks and calls for the resignation of the National Chairman.

I do not share the omnipresence powers with God Almighty, hence in dissecting and analysing how candidates emerged in APGA, I will limit my observation to Imo State where I reside and follow passionately political happening and developments in the State. I have little knowledge of what transpired within the party and how candidates emerged, in other states of the country.

I was aware when party faithful started purchasing Ad-hoc delegate forms for the primary election in Imo. As much as eyebrows were raised over the amount the form went for, people cared less. In fact, some aspirants, notably the governorship aspirants, bought as many forms as possible and gave it out to those who they think if they make the delegate list, will vote for them.

On the day the Ad-hoc delegates election was scheduled, the governorship aspirants decided on a harmonized Ad-hoc delegate list which didn’t go down well with the NWC of the party, but after much pressure from the aspirants, the SWC of the party had to succumb to their wish. The aspirants didn’t however come up with the so called harmonized list, as clash of interests beclouded their sense of judgement. With time running out, the party then decided that since the aspirants could not produce a harmonized list, that only the statutory delegates should participate in the primary election. This decision by the party didn’t go down well with some aspirants who accused other aspirants of hijacking the statutory delegates list.

Anyone living in Owerri or lived in Owerri last month will attest that for three days, the electoral committee sent to Owerri to conduct the primary election made frantic efforts to conduct the primary election, but on each occasion, thugs allegedly loyal to some of the aspirants on countless occasions threatened hell and brimstone if things did not go of their principal. Of course with no adequate security guaranteed, the electoral committee panel couldn’t risk their lives by conducting the election. Importantly, some aspirants even boycotted the would – have – been primary election.

Having seen the all efforts to have a peaceful primary election didn’t materialize, the National Working Committee together with the members of the party’s Board of Trustees, the State Working Committee and indeed major stakeholders of the party, to take a decision on who becomes the candidate of the party, so as to meet up with the last date for the submission of candidates ‘ name by the Independent National Electoral Committee (INEC).

After much considerations, the party settled for Senator Ifeanyi Araraume as the party’s governorship candidate. Expectedly, other aspirants didn’t welcome the development. Most supporters of the party in Imo called for the head of the National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Oye. It appeared the existence of APGA as a party was about to come to an end. But some aggrieved supporters of the party who had threatened to leave the party, after some days gave in to superior argument and saw reasons not just to stay back but to support Senator Ifeanyi Araraume’s candidacy.

There are still a few members of APGA that are insulting, cursing and engaging all manner of abusive words against Chief Victor Oye. APGA is not the only party ravaged by crisis after her primary election. The PDP was sued to court by Senator Samuel Anyanwu over what he called over -voting and manipulation of the Adhoc delegate list. But you will not hear the Senator nor his supporters ask the National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus to resign. Have you read supporters of Uche Nwosu asked Adams Oshiomole to resign, even when the Edo born National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) made Hope Uzodimma the party’s governorship candidate in Imo as against Uche Nwosu, the other serious aspirant and contender.

There is nothing wrong in seeking justice if one feels shortchanged, deceived or cheated, but in doing that, decorum must be applied and character assassination jettisoned. Chief Victor Oye is not a saint but he is not one who prides in impunity. The Press Release from him shows a man whose decision is hinged on the overall interest of the party. He may have made some mistakes, which all of us are culpable of one time or the other, and should not be singled out for decisions made by the NWC and BOT members of the party. He only presides over meetings and cannot make sole decision for the party. A reconcilation committee led by Chief Jerry Chukwueke has been set up to reconcile aggrieved members. This is what a responsible and responsive leadership is all about.

The overwhelming task to replicate the 2011 heroic outing of the party in Imo should be our utmost concern. Senator Ifeanyi Araraume’s capacity and ability to rub shoulders with the political gladiators of the PDP and the APC is not in doubt. Chief Victor Oye may turn out to be the Messiah the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) craves for.

Let us give peace a chance.

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