BY CHUKS OSUJI.
In the first installment of this series, I discussed the view of many Imo citizens, particularly columnist and commentators that Prince Madumere, the deputy governor of Imo state should begin now to indicate interest in his succeeding his boss as the Governor of Imo state in 2019.
I disagree with such assertion for some many reasons. In this second and final installment, I will proceed to canverse why I strongly believe that he, Madumere should not rock the boat now or at anytime.
We all know that Prince Madumere is a long time confidant of Owelle, long before Owelle became the Governor of Imo state. Such a long relationship transcends political relationship. For sure, I assume it goes beyond that.
Secondly, it is clear that Prince Madumere has earned and continuous for nearly six years now that Owelle went to the government with Madumere, as Chief of staff, Government House, (prime minister and secondly as the Deputy Governor.
Evidently, his Excellency is a unique person with different complexional and unpredictable operational variables. Some may say very difficult to comprehend appropriately. Yes, but like every other individuals he certainly has two personalities. “The public and private personalities. One can therefore say that except Owelle’s spouse, Prince Madunmere is one individual; that can adequately read and analyze Owelle’s disposition,
During the years of interwoven relationship, the ups and downs, Prince Madumere has remained constantly and unequivocally loyal, trust worthy and reliable. And he has never known to criticize his boss in private or in public.
Besides, he has preferred to remain as what John Collins, a social psychologist referred to as grand master of character assessment and adherent to ensure that two different individuals of different kinds remain as one almost two in one.
Furthermore, since within the last few months as 2019 elections were drawing nearer, people in various press speculations tend to stir some issues of concern which Prince Madumere could emotionally react to. But has remained incontestably calm, quiet and non committal, believing as he always believe, “he is Nwachinemere. “Because whatever he has gained from Owelle he gained to the cost of his undiluted loyalty. And Owelle knows it.
What is more, with such noble trust, he believes that this is time to continue to serve his boss and not time to begin to be drawn into preventable and worthless actions and speeches that would compromise his outstanding qualities for which Owelle loves, trust and relies on him. Why must he rock the boat?
Therefore, it is unpolitical, unprofitable and unworthy.
Because, for Prince Madumere to begin now to engage in talking or working towards becoming a candidate to replace his boss come 2019, to do this would amount to self destruction which his opponents within and outside Government house would explore and exploit to engender controversy between him and his ever respected boss who cannot afford to accommodate such dysfunctional and out of line behaviour from Madumere.
After all, Prince Madumere is a very careful human being whose understanding of political trends within the atmosphere of his boss’s horizon will always lie low and will be without any reproach. Couple of months last year, Owelle has described him as “my headache free deputy governor” Owelle was not joking. And I recall series of encomiums’ poured on Madumere by Owelle and the governor of Kano state during the presentation of Madumere’s book at concord hotel. So when Owelle flies kites, people should not jubilate or be downcast. Because politically, is not one that appear regularly on public opinion rather to be measured.
What is more as a Deputy Governor, he is still very honest to the Governor, continuously and regularly deputizing for him in every matter requiring closeness and confidentiality even at highest level with his boss. Over and above, Prince Madumere understands both the internal and external Owelle’s chemistry of politics. He can understand its chemical reaction and be able to dissect its composite layers. He should remain steadfastly to all, trusting even at this time to earn greater reliability and trust worthy to Owelle.
Said and done, in spite of some internal conflicts or rivalries which overzealous persons wish to start, it is a manifestation of which dignity in politics which will see prince Madumere through in clinching the APC ticket come 2017 by demonstrating till last those cumulative excellent qualities which he had displayed in the past. These are the personal rare qualities which had earned him from Owelle every lofty position he had gotten through Owelle.
After all, people have forgotten that Owelle is not and cannot be the only person to decide who will carry APC ticket. There are three principal beings that would do “Owelle, APC leadership but above all, God the almighty who gives and allocates powers.
Let me recall my encounter with my former boss, Prof Jerry Gana when we were both in Mamser. He asked me to define the meaning of the word Imo for him. I simply told him, “Imo is a small river that swallows Atlantic ocean”, there is no doubt that Imo politics is very complex and perplexing and does not have one directional wind flow arises easily. For sure, Owelle is a grand master in the understanding of Imo politics and the second is Madumere who has earned it from his boss. For him, this is the time to remain steadfast and focused. This is what I call dignity in politics.
.Dr. Osuji lives in Owerri