By Ike Lucky
More than 2000 years ago in world history, the proudest cliche that ruled the political space was: civis Romanus sum – I am a Roman citizen. And for about 200 years running now, the proudest boast has been: I am an American citizen. Significantly, all the way from year 2000 in Nigeria, the most exciting slogan being proudly recited by every noble and notable politician in the country is: I am a member of PDP!!!
That was because the People’s Democratic Party played leading and significant roles in the emancipation of the country from the clutches of draconian military regimes that lasted for 16 years, spanning from 1983 to 1999.
During these years, the PDP has grown in leaps and bounds, literally spawning several leaders at both local, state and national levels, who have sacrificed greatly and contributed substantially to the growth and development of the party, climaxing in its domination in power at the centre for an uninterrupted 16 years. This was the longest time by any political party since independence in 1960.
In Imo State, PDP has been a dominant force, both as a ruling and as a leading opposition party. In all of this, the PDP has produced all manner of leaders who have served in various capacities and positions. As a loyal party member who have seen it all since 1999, I have painstakingly and meticulously searched all the records in the party’s archives and library, and I can herein reveal with a high degree of shock and bewilderment that the name Mr Mike Ikokwu or Evangelist Myke Ikeokwu(Ikoku) is conspicuously missing from the pack!!!
Consequently, in view of his retrogressive and destructive posturing which has brought the party so much pain, loss of members as well as severe decline in confidence and intra party crisis, I make bold to ask: who is Mike Ikokwu?
Usually reliable investigation has revealed that Ikokwu is not a genuine PDP member. All things considered, he is a mole working for his paymasters, the APC. Just three years ago, after the supreme court controversially sacked Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha as governor, and when all PDP members were in deep mourning, it was Ikokwu who took it upon himself to launder the image of Governor Hope Uzodimma who was engulfed in a legitimacy crisis that has not abated to this day.
Thereafter, Ikokwu launched his pet project known as “Hopism” which he employed to brand and market the government and policies of Senator Uzodimma. As a matter of fact, Ikokwu, using his Hopism brain child vigorously campaigned as well as canvassed support for the troubled APC government in the state.
It is public knowledge that Ikokwu plunged tens of millions of naira in his fruitless efforts of selling Uzodimma through Hopism to the Imo people as he mounted countless gigantic billboards in all nooks and crannies of the state, including those that dotted the frontage of his All Seasons Hotels in New Owerri.
Suffice to say that Ikokwu was among the political merchants and mercenaries Senator Samuel Anyanwu commercially recruited for his vested interest – to destroy PDP in order to pave way for his friend and ally, Uzodimma. Suddenly, Ikokwu’s name and bearings began rearing their ugly heads in PDP and it was not long before his foul tentacles started polluting and scattering the party.
All said and done, Mike Ikokwu is in PDP to maliciously carryout the ill conceived biddings of Senator Anyanwu which is to render the party asunder, emasculated and worthless. Thus Ikokwu’a illegitimate groove recklessly came to a rampaging dimension when Anyanwu emerged the PDP governirship candidate for the November 11, 2023 election in Imo State.
Ever since then, Ikokwu, behaving and sounding like a loose cannon, takes philandering pleasure in harassing, insulting and and mindlessly intimidating our revered PDP leaders who have been working assiduously and tirelessly in making the party bigger, better and more attractive. These series of gross misconduct and crass insubordination cannot be associated with any sincere PDP member.
Yet, I am not in any way at a loss about Ikokwu’s uncouthness and total lack of respect for respected leaders and elders of our party. His penchant to always frolic with Anyanwu and his band of kill and bury fans has largely confirmed the fear of many and claim that Ikokwu is invariably an agent sent and armed to pull PDP down. This is why he does not find it expedient to attend our great party’s functions and gatherings.
Since 2019, PDP has conducted state and council congresses and Ikokwu was never seen neither did he participate in any. In fact, he has never been identified or seen at close range in any PDP fora. At least, in the 2019 campaigns, he was not there. During the seven distinguished months of PDP in 2019, he was not around there. In all the post Ihedioha’s controversial sack activities, when all members of PDP rallied round, working for the revalidation of Ihedioha’s mandate, Ikokwu was stubbornly missing in action.
He did not participate in the prayer sessions, particularly the grand summit at the Kanu Nwankwo Sports Complex. Even the peaceful protest organized by social crusader, Charly Boy Oputa, Ikokwu avoided it.
And so, again, the question still begs for answer; where is Mr Mike Ikokwu coming from? The fact remains that he has no locus standi whatsoever to challenge, argue not to talk of confronting any PDP leader because he is not a member, not in the least insulting our great party’s Founding Fathers from the state!!!
To drive my point safely home, any genuine PDP member must challenge Ikokwu to graphically and elaborately highlight his contributions to PDP in Imo State. Imo PDP supporters also want Ikokwu to state his investment in PDP. At his council, ward and booth levels, has he ensured victory for the party?
It is essentially an act of impunity and grandiose insensitivity for Ikokwu who is a foreigner in PDP to arrogantly label our performing PDP state chairman, Engr Charles Ugwu, a failure and purveyor of bad luck. Perhaps, in a classic display of ignorance and lack of respect for elders and leaders, Ikokwu, who himself is a super flop politically, does not factor in the fact that Ugwu has been a renowned industrialist, leading to his election as the national president of the top ranking Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN).
In all intents and purposes, Ugwu has come a long way. He was a founding father of PDP in Imo State and a former minister. Calling such a progressive minded politician, an elder statesman and employer of labour a failure is a demonstration of Ikokwu’s failure as a politician. At least, since his unholy political romance with Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the PDP is the worst for it as our members have been quiting the party in droves and our great national party is the worst for it. What a pity!!!
Imo PDP not allow a misguided Evangelist Myke Ikokwu and his ilk destroy the party in state because he is guilty of apostasy and he deserves sanctions according to our laws.
