Kizito Duru
I have read the statement from Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha conveying his decision to remain with the ADC. Expectedly, the statement has generated diverse opinions and different interpretations across political circles, especially among his supporters and supporters of Mr Peter Obi.
For starters, I appreciate how calm, philosophical and logical the statement was. Whoever handles Ihedioha’s public communication is clearly a professional who understands political messaging and emotional balance. Then again, perhaps that should not surprise anyone. Before venturing fully into politics, Ihedioha built a reputation around media, public communication and public relations. Those early years evidently still reflect in the way he communicates today. His statements rarely sound emotional or reactionary. They are usually measured, calculated and carefully framed.
That said, I understand the arguments of those who wanted him to move to the NDC alongside Mr Peter Obi. In truth, I myself would have loved to see Ihedioha in the NDC. Looking at the growing movement around Obi and the excitement the NDC appears to be generating among young Nigerians and many Southerners, it is understandable why many expected Ihedioha to make that political leap.
However, upon a more critical analysis of the situation, particularly when one considers the peculiarities of Imo politics and the amount of political investment Ihedioha has already committed to stabilising the ADC in the state, it becomes difficult to outrightly fault his insistence on remaining where he is.
And individual can wake up tomorrow and move support from one political party to another without losing much. Ordinary supporters can afford such flexibility because they are not carrying the burden of political structures, loyalists and alliances. But politicians operating at the level of Ihedioha do not enjoy such luxury. Their decisions are often bigger than personal preferences. Structures matter in politics. Loyalty matters too. In fact, what exactly is a politician without his political structure?
Ihedioha has invested heavily in the ADC in Imo State. His Rebuild Imo structure from the PDP was substantially collapsed into the ADC. Beyond that, there are several politicians hoping to contest for Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly seats under the ADC platform largely because of their confidence in Ihedioha’s leadership, political direction, popularity and acceptability among Imolites.
Just as many politicians across the country are presently depending on Peter Obi’s popularity and political wave to carry them electorally, many politicians in Imo ADC are also depending on Ihedioha’s own structure, influence and grassroots appeal for their political survival. Suddenly abandoning such people midway because of public pressure or prevailing political sentiments would have left many of them stranded politically.
That is why I think his decision, though unpopular in some quarters, was perhaps the difficult decision only a leader who genuinely thinks about others around him could make. Leadership is not always about following the loudest public mood. Sometimes it involves standing by people who have invested their political future in you.
I also admire the independent mindedness in his decision. At a time when many politicians are practically falling over themselves trying to secure a space within the NDC and benefit from Obi’s growing popularity, Ihedioha has chosen to rely on his own political strength and structure. Whether one agrees with him or not, that takes a certain level of political confidence and courage.
At the very least, those who previously accused him of remaining in the ADC merely to eventually benefit from Obi’s political wave may now have to reconsider their arguments. Interestingly too, I do not think Ihedioha’s refusal to join Obi necessarily translates to hostility toward Obi or opposition to Obi’s political aspirations. From all indications, Obi’s eventual movement to the NDC appeared to have taken many people by surprise, including political associates and allies across different camps. I honestly do not think Ihedioha envisaged that move happening the way it eventually did.
Even from the tone of Ihedioha’s message, there does not appear to be any bitterness or hostility toward Obi. If anything, both men still appear to share mutual respect despite choosing different political routes. It simply looks like two brothers pursuing similar national objectives from different political platforms.
This is also why I do not entirely agree with those trying to reduce Ihedioha’s decision to mere loyalty to Atiku Abubakar. To me, the issue appears deeper than that. It seems more about loyalty to his convictions, loyalty to the structure he has painstakingly built in Imo and loyalty to political associates who may have become casualties if he suddenly abandoned the ADC because of emotional pressure or public expectations. In politics, timing matters. Structures matter. Existing commitments matter too.
However, this is where things become truly interesting politically. The ADC is still widely expected to produce Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate. If that eventually happens, how does Ihedioha navigate the obvious political contradictions that may arise in the South East where many people strongly believe power should remain in the South? How does he convince Ndigbo to support another Northern presidential candidate while many of his own supporters may later campaign vigorously on the argument that it is Owerri Zone’s turn to produce the next governor of Imo State?
These are difficult political questions that will naturally emerge in the coming months and they are questions not only Ihedioha but several Southern politicians in similar situations may eventually confront. The coming days will certainly be interesting.
How Ihedioha balances loyalty to his current political platform with the sentiments of many Southern and younger voters may ultimately shape the next phase of his political future. Politics is rarely black and white. Decisions are often influenced by ideology, structure, loyalty, ambition, calculations and survival all at once. At the end of the day, supporters of the ADC will defend their position. Supporters of the NDC will defend theirs too. That is the nature of politics and democracy.
For now, I think Ihedioha has made his position clear. Whether one agrees with him or not, he deserves the opportunity to test the political calculation behind his decision and history, as always, will eventually judge whether he made the right call.
