Indeed, it has been an exciting season of political transfer in Imo State, though it is not very unusual with our nation’s political system, especially since the current dispensation began in 1999.
Interestingly too, it is a 4-year periodic exercise during which politicians struggle most to transfer membership from one political party to another and as well, within this period, political parties skim to woo players into their various parties.
Also within this transfer window, some politicians make entry into four or more political parties, if not all, before the close of the season, either because they were unable to meet their targeted personal interest such as securing an election contesting ticket or higher financial aggrandisements.
In the football parlance where the axiom sprung; “Transfer Window” is the informal term commonly used to connote the “registration period” of players as described in the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players. It is the period during the year in which a football club can transfer players from other playing staff into their playing staff. Such a transfer is completed by registering the player into the new club through FIFA.
According to the rules, each national football association decides on the time (such as the dates) of the ‘window’ but it may not exceed 12 weeks. The second registration period occurs during the season and may not exceed four weeks.
The transfer window of a given football association governs only international transfers into that football association. International transfers out of an association are always possible to those associations that have an open window. The transfer window of the association that the player is leaving does not have to be open.
The window was introduced in response to negotiations with the European Commission. The system has been used in many European leagues before being brought into compulsory effect by FIFA during the 2002 to 2003 season.
Obviously, with the November 2023 Imo governorship election drawing nearer, political parties are exploring opportunities in order to have a winning edge over the others. And the exploration is geared toward human persons ordained with various political talents, ingenuity, large peoples’ followership or rare mastery that can develop the party towards the path of victory especially in its elections.
Political parties are expected to be vital platforms for developing and providing critical political policies that reflect its ideology as a party. But, very unfortunately this is not the case in Nigeria. And this obvious failure may have compelled the surging movement of political players in Nigeria from one political party to another.
On the other hand, political players can move or identify with other parties on the grounds of its visible and outstanding performance, this ground favours more parties in government, commonly referred to as ruling party either at the national or the State (particularly those with conscience).
Again, some nomadic politicians see it as free search for greener pastures not even an opportunity to spread valuable ideologies that can grow a given state.
However, in Imo State, the All progressive Congress (APC) has acquired the highest number of top form political players both through numerous endorsement and mass defection. Therefore, barring any possible slip, the coast is clear and smooth for the APC’s Hope Uzodimma in the forthcoming November 11, governorship election in the State.
Certainly, this development can be attributed to Governor Hope Uzodimma’s grandstanding achievements and eloquent performance as well as the inability of the other political parties in the State to maintain rancor free house and an all-inclusive party system.
The breaking struck is the recent defection of many top flying politicians and their numerous followers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Grand Progressive Alliance (APGA) and other parties in the State.
Though, the list is unending but top on the list of the defectors were Hon Bede Eke (Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency), Rt. Hon Henry Nwawuba (Mbaitoli/ Ikeduru Federal Constituency) and Rt. Hon Ikenna Elezianya (Owerri Federal Constituency), all PDP chieftains and federal lawmakers from the Owerri zone.
The others include; Hon. Bruno Ukoha from Ezinihitte/Ahiazu Federal Constituency, PDP Apex Leader in Ngor Okpala, Hon. Emma Nwogu and Pastor Frank Onwumere from Okigwe.
And to add more sugar to the already sweetened tea, the defectors, in unison, endorsed the second term bid of Governor Hope Uzodimma and pledged to work for his reelection come November 11, 2023.
And the highly excited Uzodimma could not hide his joy for this first stage win, when he said “My heart is full of joy…”
Yet, another possible tsunamic defection is imminent if the Labour party does not step up to address the multiple divisions rocking its internal peace which gave rise to about four different primaries with four different candidates emerging for same election. Haba!
For me, APC, Uzodimma can go home and rejoice!
