Why
is Imo’s Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, becoming such a powerful
technician of power and such a powerful figure in Imo politics with a
frightening personality? Of course, in the last few moments, some of his
detractors have been raising false alarms to create the impression that
Gov. Okorocha is plotting to impose Madumere on Imo people come 2015.
Some have even tried to blackmail him. But the question remains’ Is it
that Gov. Okorocha is imposing Madumere on Imo people? Or that Prince
Madumere, by merit and public opinion, is the most possible credible,
capable politician to man the Douglas House, if his boss gives him his
support? And the funniest part of the game is that Madumere is not even
concerned with 2015 elections and has shown no sign of any ambition
whatsoever, to the best anyone can say. So let’s accept that such moves
by his contenders are born out of fear or whatever motive.
I
have read a few notable books on politics and social wave ideologies
including Alvin Toffler’s ‘The Third Wave’. There is Robert Green’s ‘48
Laws of Power,’ ‘The Art Of Seduction’ and ‘The Art of War,’ I have also
read the Mafia Lord series of Mario Puzzo including “The God Father”
and “The Last Don”. There was also “The Prince” by Machiavelli De
Prince, ‘Office Politics,’ and ‘The Mafia Manager’, all by Machiavelli
De Prince. I have read ‘The Corporate Guru’ and also ‘The Strategist’,
including Malam Nasir el-Rufai’s ‘The Accidental Public Servant’ and
Abdul Salami Abubakar’s biography- The Legacy of Honour. I once glanced
through the pages of ‘The Incorruptible Judge’, and ‘The Impeccable
Mortal Man’, including ‘The Satanic Verses’ by Salman Rushdie, exposing
the dirty political side of the Islamic temple insiders, including the
corruptions and maneuverings.
In addition to all these, I once walked into the room of a catholic
insider and a friend and saw a copy of a book titled “In God’s Name” by
the legendary David A Yallop- An investigative account of the other side
of the “Holy Vatican”, the murder of Pope Paul 1 by brother cardinals,
and the Vatican cover-ups. The daring author gave a shocking, but
fascinating account of the high level of corruption, powerful political
intrigues, maneuverings and manipulations that dot the lives and
activities of the cardinals that rule the Vatican city- the home of the
Pope. The book sees them as the brothers of the pope, the holy reverend
gentle fathers who forgave the sins of others on God’s behalf, yet
living their daily lives as the princes of power and normal political
figures who employ same dirty political tools as used in the world out
there. But let’s leave that for now, so that my parish priest won’t deny
me Holy Communion. But for sure, nothing could have been more
fascinating like understudying ‘the making of holy politicians and
saintly mafia in the holy home of our holy father the pope. I also came
across many other political books while I studied philosophy with the
Pontifical Urban University, Rome.
In
all these books, I discovered one single truth; none of the authors,
including my political philosophy lecturers where able to answer the
question “How do people rise in politics and power to the extent that,
suddenly, their names get so shrouded in Mystery? Sometimes, like me,
you are forced to ask ’How did this guy get here?’ And ‘’How come he has
become such a mystery personality in the polity? I have asked ‘How did
Barack Hussein Obama, the street side son of a Kenyan immigrant father,
make it to the White House as the President of America? I have asked
“How did Tarcisio Bertone become the most powerful diplomat and global
figure in the Vatican? I have also asked “How did Adel Fatah El’ Sisi
become such a symbolic figure in Egypt, Arab’s most populous nation?
Today in Nigeria, I have joined many close watchers to ask “How did
Prince Ezeakonobi Madumere get here?
The
more you ask questions like the ones above, the more the echoes of your
voice returns back to you like a man shouting into an empty ancient
Greek orchestra hall. This is one of the things I learnt in my study of
political symbolism and Imagery. A South African thought me about it
when he took me on a few lectures on Media Strategy and Creative Writing
as it relates to politics. One day he told me “Creating a big name in
politics is not about how much publicity you can engage in. It is about
getting things done… It’s about fixing things and being able to deliver…
It’s about developing and deploying realistic strategies that get
results in politics, in administration and in human relations… Sooner
your name becomes symbolic and your personality becomes god-like. It’s
all about your qualities and capabilities, and your ability to deploy
them against your opponents or in favour of those who believe in you.
You just become a mystery to the guys out there.” Today in Imo state,
same question echoes in every coroner about the personality of Imo’s
current Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere(MFR). ‘The Diplomatic
Prince’ as he is regarded in many corners now, Madumere surprisingly
came from the flanks to become a powerful political figure and the most
trusted loyal ally his boss, the governor, can trust without blinking.
As he makes an unimaginable impression on the masses and the political
class, the ‘Madumere mystery’ remains a case study for political pundits
and a shocker to those who never gave him a chance.
As
political pundits scratch their heads to figure out how on earth the
young Comrade Tony Nwoye sprung such a daring surprise to emerge PDP’s
flag bearer in a highly competitive political terrain like Anambra PDP,
even more puzzling is the speed at which the image of Prince Eze
Madumere is seizing the Imo political terrain. How did the son of a
1970’s moderate income earner become one of the top brand politicians in
the star-studded political circles that dominate Imo state politics? At
the threshold of the Nigerian independence his father rode to work on a
bicycle in the Southern city of Port Harcourt; As the Nigerian-Biafran
civil war raged, he was a small lad moving with his father from one town
to another as the Nigerian military captured Owerri; But by the end of
2011, immediately after the 2011 general elections, Prince Ezeakonobi
Madumere has become a test case in political symbolism and social
imagery. How on earth did it all happen? This is one question that all
political observers, including insiders, are asking.
One
of the things that have eluded the interpretative mastery of political
scientists, analysts, and pundits is the issue of myths in political
symbolism and imagery. That is why it is very hard for anyone, no
matter how informed, to accurately predict the next set of power brokers
to decide things politically after the 2015 elections have come and
gone. Sometimes you wake up to hear that that common lad from the
village side has become a power broker of some sort, while money bag men
are yet to arrive after years of efforts. So, the ultimate question
remains ‘How does one emerge to become a political figure of relevance?
Is it by investing money into politics? Is it by connection to the big
and mighty in the society? Is it a game of luck and chance? However, my
South African friend and teacher has answered that question; It is by
getting things done, and Madumere’s case is a fitting case.
Traditionally
leaning pundits like me can attribute Madumere’s political success to
the fact that his political mentor, lifelong friend and principal,
Owelle Rochas Okorocha, practices a type of politics that encourages the
new young people to make fast inroads into the political terrain.
Okorocha has a reputation for believing in the ingenuity of the younger
generation in politics and human administration. Madumere is one of such
younger generation that never allowed that opportunity slip off by
proving his mettle in politics and his ability to manage men and
missions.
Of
course, immediately after being sworn in 2011 as the governor of Imo
state, the governor left no one in doubt of his approach to politics and
his believe in the younger generation to deliver. He changed the
political paradigm by pulling down the old political establishments
which bestrode the Imo politics like eternal colossus. First he stamped
out corruption and looting which were perceived to be the life wire of
the old guys of power in the “Ghana Must Go Republic.” Then he went to
town to look for the new guys to help him rebuild a state on the brink
of collapse. Some he called from obscure corners of the village sides of
the state; some he brought home from far away Asia, while some he met
in the downtown Manhattan, USA and brought them home for a chance to
create a political future for themselves. But there was also the story
of a young man of 28 years appointed Transition committee chairman of an
LG council just because there were evidences he has the will to get
things done. That is Okorocha for you. But the story of his journey
with Madumere dates too far into the past.
Madumere,
like the rest of many others in his time, joined the Okorocha political
team as a humble figure from the countryside in the early 90s. However,
before then Madumere had already distinguished himself as a management
consultant in the United States of America where he spent most part of
his life. It was not too long Madumere emerged the second in command of
the Okorocha political team, following after his boss. Of course his
dual qualities of being a thorough bred political strategist and his
unflinching believe in Okorocha’s political future stood him as the most
appropriate disciple among many to earn the trust of his principal. But
beyond these, he was a figure of disarming humility and simple
lifestyle, buying big time into Okorocha’s ideology of philanthropy and
socialism. These, as a matter of fact, are the very ideologies that have
made Madumere’s personality greatly appealing to the masses, the
political class and the by-side watchers. Today, whether we like it or
not, Madumere’s entrance into the club of the political elites of Imo
has altered the traditional political equation of the state in a way too
significant to be ignored. Of course, the general perception in town at
the moment is that come 2015, if Gov. Okorocha moves up federal with
APC’s presidential offer, then the guber race in Imo is between Madumere
and the rest. The rating is not only because Madumere is Okorocha’s
most loyal, and most trusted aide. The fact is that by every standard
Madumere has proven to merit his rating and popularity among the Imo
people. And it is increasingly becoming evident, that beating Madumere
at the polls, if he is given the chance, will be synonymous to, as Jesus
said, passing the head of the Carmel through the eye of the needle.
The
fact is that with considerable accuracy, but with appropriate discount
for uncertainties, Madumere, who is the current Imo’s deputy governor,
is largely favored by every credible cluster of opinion ratings to
emerge the most possible credible successor to Gov. Anayo Okorocha of
Imo state anytime the governor serves out his 4- year or 8-year term as
he chooses, and if the masses renew his mandate. And observers at home
and abroad are once again puzzling over the reasons for Madumere’s
success. Is it his studies in management that gives him an edge in his
fast rise to power’s topmost echelon? His practical and realistic
approach to politics? Or his ability to combine an attitude of
independent mindedness with unflinching loyalty to his principal and
political mentor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha? No matter the question,
Madumere’s case is a unique one when it comes to decoding myths and
prototypes in political symbolism.
One
point most pundits can agree on is that almost all of Madumere’s close
watchers have underestimated him from the moment Okorocha picked him as a
political aid even years before Gov. Okrocha was elected governor of
Imo state in an election- an election whose success is largely
attributed to the political wizardry of Madumere and the crack team of
political strategist he put together. Madumere is now widely regarded as
one of Imo's most powerful political leaders, following after his
current boss. Comparisons have been drawn with the likes of Ifeanyi
Ararume and such other grass root political strategists. But the downing
of Ararume’s credibility by former president Obasanjo leaves the likes
of Madumere to grip the Imo political space with such a bestriding mien
anytime Okorocha leaves the seat for any reason. Madumere, a figure of
moderate lifestyle and few words, known as 'The Diplomatic Prince' for
his constructive approach in public relations, in political diplomacy
and negotiations, according to political analysts and observant
insiders, took strategic tiny steps to arrive at such level of political
relevance in Imo politics.
In
the 90’s Madumere returned to Nigeria to start a political career from a
sideway corner. Of course, he left Nigeria to the United State of
America as a teen, and returned back as a soundly educated special breed
in management consultancy and human administration. His political
career took off as an aide to Owelle Anayo Okorocha, and later earning a
reputation as Okorocha’s most capable political aide, and the most
trusted political insider of the Okorocha political dynasty. Of course
the Okorocha dynasty has been an old dynasty growing from the flanks
during Sam Mbakwe’s time when Okorocha dared the likes of the maverick
Francis Arthur Nzeribe. But the dynasty largely grew on the wings of
Okorocha’s reputation as a nationalist detribalized philanthropist and
socialist. Later Prince Madumere (MFR) vied for the senate in what was
seen as victory denied. But by the 2011 elections rolled on, it was too
hard to ignore the fact that someone like Madumere was in town to get
things done for his boss. In fact, as the elections went on, there were
two Nigerians to watch. The first was Douglass Oronto- the little known
countryside guy who mesmerized Atiku’s team to get Goodluck Jonathan on
the card. The second was Prince Ezeakonobi Madumere- a little known
fellow whose political strategies held the then incumbent Gov. Ikedi
Ohakim and his ruling Peoples Democratic Party to ransom.
Initially,
Madumere was never seen as a force to reckon with amidst such political
heavyweights and smart guys. Silently he coordinated series of
political strategies that put Ohakim and the PDP on the defending side
of the game, and finally secured victory for his boss. A lot happened
in-between, anyway, but let’s leave that for now. However, what
enshrined Madumere’s name in the sands of time in Imo politics is his
role as Chief of Staff to Governor Okorocha. He performed creditably
well in a way that left no one in doubt that Madumere is a capable hand
in all sense of it, whether in administration, in political diplomacy or
human relations. He also made it to the national honours list that
year, where President Goodluck Jonathan personally decorated him with
the MFR medal. Today, as deputy governor of Imo state, Madumere’s
ability to deliver has become a vindication to Gov Okorocha’s political
approach of giving the younger generation a chance, and the secret of
his soaring popularity is his ability to deliver.
Beside
his role in the 2011 elections, Madumere is credited with being a smart
guy in political strategic thinking. By 2011, lending their support to
the election of Okorocha was an off-the-table option for the old
political generation in Imo politics. Their reason was simple; this guy
is another new guy like Ikedi Ohakim. Because, Ohakim, in as much as he,
according to popular opinion, did not make positive impacts on the
polity in terms of developmental strides and was accused of
orchestrating a blatant campaign of looting and corruption, he also
dealt ruthlessly with the guys of the old political order in an attempt
to tighten his grip on the levers of Imo politics and the PDP
structures. Even Willy Amadi who was his closest ally was not spared the
hammer. For them, their support to the maneuverings that produced
Ohakim as governor is “Euphoria Turned Tragedy”. For them, Okorocha
would not be different. But Madumere and his team were able to broker a
deal to the skeptic old guys by developing a political bargaining chip
that revolved around the principle of Double Effects- a smart narrative
of bigger evil versus lesser evil. Of course, in ‘principle of double
effect’, you choose the lesser evil when you are faced with two evils in
which you must necessarily choose one. So Okorocha was made to wear the
toga of the lesser evil, and the old guys went for him. That is
Madumere for you. He knows how to develop a credible bargaining chip,
and how to deploy it in a way that brings results.
Personally Madumere comes along with rare qualities that make him a
mystery to the most discerning observer. I met Madumere for the first
time while I was undergoing an informal series on Media strategy and
creative writing as it bothers on politics. I had heard of his exploits,
so it was a privilege meeting my mythical figure in real life. I wanted
to understudy him and know his secrets, but I was puzzled the more. I
noticed one thing; he was consistently self controlled and has a
reputation for calculating carefully before every move. Madumere will
give you a task but won’t tell you what the final product should look
like and what it is meant for. That’s an incredible strategy in human
administration. Suddenly, I discovered what might be his secret; he was
too simple to a fault and everybody, no matter how lowly or common,
could access his office and have his audience. Of course, initially I
tried to let him know that meeting him was a privilege, but he insisted
on making me know that it was a meeting of two equal citizens and
brothers who must be united by the Governor’s vision to build a better
Imo.
However,
to my shock, I discovered that Madumere has no special marketing
technique to promote his image for political reasons as it’s the case
with a typical Nigerian rising politician. He has no penchant for media
and publicity. In fact, to make it more perplexing, he is very, very
conscious about image control. You just find out he has a plan about how
he wants to be seen and how information should come out, and joining
the media frenzy is not part of that. For him, it’s all about helping
his boss to get things done and realize the mandate the people gave his
boss. One day he said “Look, there is only one governor in Imo state,
and that is Anayo Okorocha. The rest are staff helping him to deliver on
his promises to the people” So how then did this guy’s name become that
symbolic? This is what has become the Madumere Mystery and a test case
in understanding political symbolism and social imagery. It’s a big
task for the detractors and distracters of His Excellency Prince Eze
Madumere (MFR). We keep our fingers on the pulse of Imo politics!
Okwuaku A.I.Okwuaku writes from Owerri
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