BY EXCEL CHIMA, HEAD, INVESTIGATION/SPECIAL PROJECTS
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| ROCHAS..Yet To Choose A Successor? |
A special investigation conducted by INNONEWS.COM revealed that three power blocs led by three of Okorocha's close allies have silently emerged in the Governor’s camp all geared towards succeeding him in 2019.
While top officials of the administration refused to speak on the matter on the basis that the Okorocha government is deeply concerned on issues of governance,this online newspaper observed it is evidently clear there is ongoing serious power tussle.
While the Governor is said not to have penciled down anyone in his succession plan since there is still time, three names keep popping up within local media parlance on who takes Okorocha's job in 2019. And the "three musketeers" are said to have silently engaged in a quite but subtle political scheming to gain relevance and acceptance.
They are the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, Okorocha’s Chief of Staff and son in law, Chief Uche Nwosu and Secretary to the Imo State Government, Jude Ejiogu.
Madumere and Ejiogu are from Owerri Zone (Imo East Senatorial district), a region that has been agitating for the governorship seat of the State for over 20 years. The last time the zone produced the State Governor was between 1991 -1992.
Nwosu, Okorocha’s son in – law, comes from Orlu Zone (Imo North Senatorial District). The zone has dominated the political landscape of the State. By the time Okorocha completes his tenure in 2019, the zone would have completed 16 years on the saddle.
Despite how tenacious the zoning system is observed y the political class in the State despite flagrant disregard for it in 2015 (as Okorocha from Orlu Zone defeated Ihedioha from Owerri zone in 2015 polls), some political permutations will certainly determine who eventually gets the backing of the powerful, strong incumbent governor of Imo State to succeed him in 2019.
A top member of the APC in the State who spoke on condition of anonymity told INNONEWS.COM that other key factors apart from zoning will decide who governs the State in 2019.
However, a careful look at the ongoing political development shows that Eze Madumere, the Deputy Governor is Okorocha’s long time ally having part of the Governor’s over 20 years political journey. He was also an integral part of Okorocha’s philanthropic initiatives before the latter won election as governor in 2011 having also headed the Rochas Foundation.
He was arrested and even detained by goons of the then ruling PDP in Imo State on Okorocha’s behalf during the build up to the fierce 2011 governorship election. Okorocha, then candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) unseated then PDP Governor, Ikedi Ohakim in a nail- biting supplementary election.
Madumere was appointed Chief of Staff to the Governor as a deserved reward for his sacrifices and commitment to Okorocha’s political cause during the turbulent political period in Imo State. He was later elevated to the position of Deputy Governor in 2013 after Jude Agbaso was impeached by the Imo State House of Assembly for corruption .
INNONEWS.COM was told that Madumere has begun subtle moves to succeed Rochas. Though he has not kick started any serious political meetings and gatherings on the issue, a source confirmed to this online newspaper that the Deputy Governor’s body language shows he has an eye on the top job in 2019.
Within the APC camp, he is said to have earned the loyalty and support of strategic members of Okorocha’s rescue group and has become more visible in political and social functions in the State.
To buttress the fact the he is running for the governorship seat in 2019, an ex aide of the Imo State governor on Youth Affairs, one Emma Duru, was said to have hosted pro Madumere followers in Canada where accolades were showered on the Deputy Governor as the right person to continue Rochas legacies in 2019.
The deputy governor is also favoured by the zoning system in the State which favours Owerri zone (Imo East Senatorial District) that has been yearning for the governorship seat of the State for a long period.
Also in line for the number one job of the State is the former Chief of Staff and Secretary to the State Government, Jude Ejiogu. Many have wondered how the ex banker cum politician warmed himself so dearly to Okorocha that he has now become one of the huge factors for consideration for governorship in 2019.
Ejiogu came into Rochas government as head of a government parastatal responsible to collect taxes for the State after his failed bid to represent Owerri Federal Constituency in the lower chamber of the House of Representatives. He was later appointed Chief of Staff to the Governor, a position he took advantage of to build a tiny political army of followers within Okorocha’s camp and the APC.
Ejiogu’s eye on the top job really manifested when a group organized a reception in his honour which attended by top APC chieftains in the State in December 2015. He is said to be behind the formation of several interest groups in the State especially within his constituency who have been having several meetings tying up support.
Uche Nwosu, the Governor’s in – law seem to be the kid on the block and if reports that he may be drafted to succeed his father in law, then he may be the man to beat.
Nwosu was appointed Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Planning in 2012. At that time, he doubled as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor before he was later appointed Chief of Staff after Okorocha’s victory at the 2015 polls. He married Okorocha’s daughter in 2013 and since then, he has wielded so much influence and power within and outside government circles.
Nwosu seem not to have any political experience. He was said to have nursed the ambition of representing his federal constituency in the House of Representatives, an ambition which he dropped for reasons no one could not say.
His appointment as Chief of Staff to the Governor elicited diverse reactions. But a grand reception in his honour which was attended by the Governor last December has further swelled fears that indeed he may have a political ambition.
Also his elevation to the position of Chief of Staff was interpreted to mean that he is being prepared and nurtured for the plum job in 2019. He also enjoys the backing of some youths and new breed of politicians who see him as the bridge between the old and the young.
Despite these permutations, the young chap is said to have kept mute on his next political move. Even insiders say that “there is nothing on ground to prove he is interested in the number one seat of the State after his father in- law completes his tenure”
However,the odds against his possible political ascension seem to outweigh the advantages. One, he is from Orlu Zone (Imo North Senatorial district), the same zone with Okorocha that has ruled Imo State for 16 years by the time the present governor completes his tenure.
Two, he may be a hard sell to the sophisticated Imo electorate on the basis that his father in- law cannot just hand over the governance of the State to his son- in law.
However, the ambitions of the trio remain in the realm of speculation as none of those mentioned has indicated interest in the governorship seat of the State.
According Remigus Iwedinobi, a political media consultant, such permutations exist in the realm of the thinking of political analysts and opinion moulders who only suspect the body language of Madumere, Ejiogu and Nwosu.
“ However, it is good we are seeing the three as likely successors to the incumbent governor especially in the APC but whoever will emerge the party’s governorship candidate in Imo State in 2019 will be solely determined by Okorocha.
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