From all indications,
there appears to be no love lost between Imo State Governor Hope Odidika
Uzodinma, a former governor of the state, Rochas Okorocha, guber candidate of
All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the 2019 governorship election,
Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, and Okorocha’s son-in-law, Uche Nwosu. While Okorocha
replaces Uzodinma in the senate (Imo West – Orlu), Ararume had also represented
Imo North (Okigwe) Senatorial District from 1999 through 2007.
there appears to be no love lost between Imo State Governor Hope Odidika
Uzodinma, a former governor of the state, Rochas Okorocha, guber candidate of
All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the 2019 governorship election,
Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, and Okorocha’s son-in-law, Uche Nwosu. While Okorocha
replaces Uzodinma in the senate (Imo West – Orlu), Ararume had also represented
Imo North (Okigwe) Senatorial District from 1999 through 2007.
But, after the
initial disaffection in the political marriage of the two camps with the above
protagonists, which played out in the fight for prominence in who occupies the
governorship office, they all wanted to install their preferred candidate/s.
They seemed to have come together in Uzodinma’s ousting of Emeka Ihedioha via
the Supreme Court. But something different is currently playing out.
initial disaffection in the political marriage of the two camps with the above
protagonists, which played out in the fight for prominence in who occupies the
governorship office, they all wanted to install their preferred candidate/s.
They seemed to have come together in Uzodinma’s ousting of Emeka Ihedioha via
the Supreme Court. But something different is currently playing out.
However, Peoples
Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship candidate, Ihedioha, was declared winner
by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This put both Okorocha
and his son-in-law in political abeyance. On assumption of office, Ihedioha
constituted a recovery of the assets task force, headed by Jasper Ndubuaku, to
recover over 60 vehicles among others allegedly in possession of his
predecessor. It was hard to achieve as Okorocha never allowed them to enter his
private premises.
Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship candidate, Ihedioha, was declared winner
by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This put both Okorocha
and his son-in-law in political abeyance. On assumption of office, Ihedioha
constituted a recovery of the assets task force, headed by Jasper Ndubuaku, to
recover over 60 vehicles among others allegedly in possession of his
predecessor. It was hard to achieve as Okorocha never allowed them to enter his
private premises.
Therefore, when the
issue of Uzodinma versus Ihedioha in the Supreme Court came up, Okorocha and
his son-in-law, Nwosu, supported Uzodinma in the hope that if he became
governor, he would appoint their preferred candidates/loyalists into political
positions of trust and also protect him.
issue of Uzodinma versus Ihedioha in the Supreme Court came up, Okorocha and
his son-in-law, Nwosu, supported Uzodinma in the hope that if he became
governor, he would appoint their preferred candidates/loyalists into political
positions of trust and also protect him.
But with the recent
scenarios, it is evident that the governor only appointed his core loyalists
and supporters as 24 commissioners and 89 Special Advisers, and Senior Special
Assistants indicate. Also, sources from Okorocha confided in The Guardian that
all the 27 chairmen of the 27 LGAs and about 645 councillors who were elected
during Okorocha’s administration in 2018 but sacked by Ihedioha, in June 2019,
were going to be reinstated by Uzodinma. All expectations of Okorocha and his
men were dashed by Uzodinma when these appointments were made, though lots of special
assistants are yet to be assigned portfolios as at the time of filing this
report.
scenarios, it is evident that the governor only appointed his core loyalists
and supporters as 24 commissioners and 89 Special Advisers, and Senior Special
Assistants indicate. Also, sources from Okorocha confided in The Guardian that
all the 27 chairmen of the 27 LGAs and about 645 councillors who were elected
during Okorocha’s administration in 2018 but sacked by Ihedioha, in June 2019,
were going to be reinstated by Uzodinma. All expectations of Okorocha and his
men were dashed by Uzodinma when these appointments were made, though lots of special
assistants are yet to be assigned portfolios as at the time of filing this
report.
Both Ararume and
Nwosu have returned to the fold of APC. But their marriage seems to have been
politically divorced as no one sees Okorocha, Ararume and Uzodinma together in
public places these days. Something is said to be causing the division, with
Nwafor said to have renewed factionalization, claiming to be the authentic
chairman of the party’s state chapter.
Nwosu have returned to the fold of APC. But their marriage seems to have been
politically divorced as no one sees Okorocha, Ararume and Uzodinma together in
public places these days. Something is said to be causing the division, with
Nwafor said to have renewed factionalization, claiming to be the authentic
chairman of the party’s state chapter.
It is instructive to
note that when the Primate of Anglican Communion in Nigeria, Archbishop Henry
Ndukuba, an indigene of Imo State, visited Uzodinma a few weeks ago, he said:
“Imo State is endowed with abundant capital and human resources, but has
suffered due to bad leadership.
note that when the Primate of Anglican Communion in Nigeria, Archbishop Henry
Ndukuba, an indigene of Imo State, visited Uzodinma a few weeks ago, he said:
“Imo State is endowed with abundant capital and human resources, but has
suffered due to bad leadership.
“The task is enormous
and you cannot do it alone. Open your heart to receive everybody, even those
that do not belong to your party. We will continue to pray for you and hope that
Imo will be better under your watch.”
and you cannot do it alone. Open your heart to receive everybody, even those
that do not belong to your party. We will continue to pray for you and hope that
Imo will be better under your watch.”
Uzodinma assured him
that he would partner with all, saying: “Imo is in a total state of disrepair.
The morale and confidence of our people are low. As a government, we will
restore our institutions that are almost comatose. Imo will bounce back to life
under my watch.
that he would partner with all, saying: “Imo is in a total state of disrepair.
The morale and confidence of our people are low. As a government, we will
restore our institutions that are almost comatose. Imo will bounce back to life
under my watch.
From all indications,
there appears to be no love lost between Imo State Governor Hope Odidika
Uzodinma, a former governor of the state, Rochas Okorocha, guber candidate of
All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the 2019 governorship election,
Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, and Okorocha’s son-in-law, Uche Nwosu. While Okorocha
replaces Uzodinma in the senate (Imo West – Orlu), Ararume had also represented
Imo North (Okigwe) Senatorial District from 1999 through 2007.
there appears to be no love lost between Imo State Governor Hope Odidika
Uzodinma, a former governor of the state, Rochas Okorocha, guber candidate of
All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the 2019 governorship election,
Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, and Okorocha’s son-in-law, Uche Nwosu. While Okorocha
replaces Uzodinma in the senate (Imo West – Orlu), Ararume had also represented
Imo North (Okigwe) Senatorial District from 1999 through 2007.
But, after the
initial disaffection in the political marriage of the two camps with the above
protagonists, which played out in the fight for prominence in who occupies the
governorship office, they all wanted to install their preferred candidate/s.
They seemed to have come together in Uzodinma’s ousting of Emeka Ihedioha via
the Supreme Court. But something different is currently playing out.
initial disaffection in the political marriage of the two camps with the above
protagonists, which played out in the fight for prominence in who occupies the
governorship office, they all wanted to install their preferred candidate/s.
They seemed to have come together in Uzodinma’s ousting of Emeka Ihedioha via
the Supreme Court. But something different is currently playing out.
It manifested when
the trio of Okorocha, Ararume and Nwosu, whom his father-in-law Okorocha,
fought hard to install, attended the swearing-in of Uzodinma at Heroes’ Square,
Owerri, on January 15. Historically, during last year’s political campaigns,
Okorocha had cast aspersion on Uzodinma, despite that, both were in the same
political party. It got so bad that two different officials were dispatched
from Abuja to organise guber primaries in the state. The one led by Ahmed Gulak
returned Uzodinma, as the standard-bearer while the other declared Nwosu as a
candidate.
the trio of Okorocha, Ararume and Nwosu, whom his father-in-law Okorocha,
fought hard to install, attended the swearing-in of Uzodinma at Heroes’ Square,
Owerri, on January 15. Historically, during last year’s political campaigns,
Okorocha had cast aspersion on Uzodinma, despite that, both were in the same
political party. It got so bad that two different officials were dispatched
from Abuja to organise guber primaries in the state. The one led by Ahmed Gulak
returned Uzodinma, as the standard-bearer while the other declared Nwosu as a
candidate.
The division led to
two major camps (Camp Hope and Rescue Mission of Okorocha). After seemingly
futile political efforts, Nwosu pitched tent with Action Alliance (AA) and
became its standard-bearer. Thereafter, two APC factions emerged (one led by
Marcellinus Nlemigbo, formed by Camp Hope, and the other chaired by Daniel
Nwafor, for Okorocha’s Rescue Mission).
two major camps (Camp Hope and Rescue Mission of Okorocha). After seemingly
futile political efforts, Nwosu pitched tent with Action Alliance (AA) and
became its standard-bearer. Thereafter, two APC factions emerged (one led by
Marcellinus Nlemigbo, formed by Camp Hope, and the other chaired by Daniel
Nwafor, for Okorocha’s Rescue Mission).
It got to such sour
point that the national chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole, who had strongly
supported Uzodinma, visited the state to campaign and hand the flag to the
former, but Okorocha, who was at the twilight of his administration, allegedly
denied Uzodinma, Oshiomhole and other supporters opportunity to use the Dan
Anyiam Stadium facility for the campaign. This made Uzodinma, Oshiomhole, and
others hold the event along Okigwe Road, a development that caused vehicular
and human traffic.
point that the national chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole, who had strongly
supported Uzodinma, visited the state to campaign and hand the flag to the
former, but Okorocha, who was at the twilight of his administration, allegedly
denied Uzodinma, Oshiomhole and other supporters opportunity to use the Dan
Anyiam Stadium facility for the campaign. This made Uzodinma, Oshiomhole, and
others hold the event along Okigwe Road, a development that caused vehicular
and human traffic.
However, Peoples
Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship candidate, Ihedioha, was declared winner
by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This put both Okorocha
and his son-in-law in political abeyance. On assumption of office, Ihedioha
constituted a recovery of the assets task force, headed by Jasper Ndubuaku, to
recover over 60 vehicles among others allegedly in possession of his
predecessor. It was hard to achieve as Okorocha never allowed them to enter his
private premises.
Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship candidate, Ihedioha, was declared winner
by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This put both Okorocha
and his son-in-law in political abeyance. On assumption of office, Ihedioha
constituted a recovery of the assets task force, headed by Jasper Ndubuaku, to
recover over 60 vehicles among others allegedly in possession of his
predecessor. It was hard to achieve as Okorocha never allowed them to enter his
private premises.
Therefore, when the
issue of Uzodinma versus Ihedioha in the Supreme Court came up, Okorocha and
his son-in-law, Nwosu, supported Uzodinma in the hope that if he became
governor, he would appoint their preferred candidates/loyalists into political
positions of trust and also protect him.
issue of Uzodinma versus Ihedioha in the Supreme Court came up, Okorocha and
his son-in-law, Nwosu, supported Uzodinma in the hope that if he became
governor, he would appoint their preferred candidates/loyalists into political
positions of trust and also protect him.
But with the recent
scenarios, it is evident that the governor only appointed his core loyalists
and supporters as 24 commissioners and 89 Special Advisers, and Senior Special
Assistants indicate. Also, sources from Okorocha confided in The Guardian that
all the 27 chairmen of the 27 LGAs and about 645 councillors who were elected
during Okorocha’s administration in 2018 but sacked by Ihedioha, in June 2019,
were going to be reinstated by Uzodinma. All expectations of Okorocha and his
men were dashed by Uzodinma when these appointments were made, though lots of
special assistants are yet to be assigned portfolios as at the time of filing
this report.
scenarios, it is evident that the governor only appointed his core loyalists
and supporters as 24 commissioners and 89 Special Advisers, and Senior Special
Assistants indicate. Also, sources from Okorocha confided in The Guardian that
all the 27 chairmen of the 27 LGAs and about 645 councillors who were elected
during Okorocha’s administration in 2018 but sacked by Ihedioha, in June 2019,
were going to be reinstated by Uzodinma. All expectations of Okorocha and his
men were dashed by Uzodinma when these appointments were made, though lots of
special assistants are yet to be assigned portfolios as at the time of filing
this report.
Both Ararume and
Nwosu have returned to the fold of APC. But their marriage seems to have been
politically divorced as no one sees Okorocha, Ararume and Uzodinma together in
public places these days. Something is said to be causing the division, with
Nwafor said to have renewed factionalization, claiming to be the authentic
chairman of the party’s state chapter.
Nwosu have returned to the fold of APC. But their marriage seems to have been
politically divorced as no one sees Okorocha, Ararume and Uzodinma together in
public places these days. Something is said to be causing the division, with
Nwafor said to have renewed factionalization, claiming to be the authentic
chairman of the party’s state chapter.
It is instructive to
note that when the Primate of Anglican Communion in Nigeria, Archbishop Henry
Ndukuba, an indigene of Imo State, visited Uzodinma a few weeks ago, he said:
“Imo State is endowed with abundant capital and human resources, but has
suffered due to bad leadership.
note that when the Primate of Anglican Communion in Nigeria, Archbishop Henry
Ndukuba, an indigene of Imo State, visited Uzodinma a few weeks ago, he said:
“Imo State is endowed with abundant capital and human resources, but has
suffered due to bad leadership.
“The task is enormous
and you cannot do it alone. Open your heart to receive everybody, even those
that do not belong to your party. We will continue to pray for you and hope
that Imo will be better under your watch.”
and you cannot do it alone. Open your heart to receive everybody, even those
that do not belong to your party. We will continue to pray for you and hope
that Imo will be better under your watch.”
Uzodinma assured him
that he would partner with all, saying: “Imo is in a total state of disrepair.
The morale and confidence of our people are low. As a government, we will
restore our institutions that are almost comatose. Imo will bounce back to life
under my watch.
that he would partner with all, saying: “Imo is in a total state of disrepair.
The morale and confidence of our people are low. As a government, we will
restore our institutions that are almost comatose. Imo will bounce back to life
under my watch.
“We shall partner
with you to improve our education system. Arrangements will be made to engage
some of our priests on a part-time basis to teach in our schools. This will
help to instil morality and bring back discipline to our schools.”
with you to improve our education system. Arrangements will be made to engage
some of our priests on a part-time basis to teach in our schools. This will
help to instil morality and bring back discipline to our schools.”
At the swearing-in,
Uzodinma had warned: “It is important that you don’t take the oath of office as
a mere ritual; you must take every word there seriously. You owe it a duty to
Imo people and God to ensure that you don’t fail in your assignment. You are
now a magnifying glass with which the public will see our government.
Uzodinma had warned: “It is important that you don’t take the oath of office as
a mere ritual; you must take every word there seriously. You owe it a duty to
Imo people and God to ensure that you don’t fail in your assignment. You are
now a magnifying glass with which the public will see our government.
“Your actions and
inactions going forward from today matter a lot. All those things you have done
in the past that did not matter before matter now. You must watch what you say
or do as a government representative. Any action that is capable of bringing
the government to ridicule will be unacceptable to us. They must have been
equipped with new and modern innovations that will help drive the economy of
the state.
inactions going forward from today matter a lot. All those things you have done
in the past that did not matter before matter now. You must watch what you say
or do as a government representative. Any action that is capable of bringing
the government to ridicule will be unacceptable to us. They must have been
equipped with new and modern innovations that will help drive the economy of
the state.
An exhibition of
annoyance of the Rescue Mission Camp was the vehement opposition to the
appointment of the 27 chairmen of LGA Interim Management Committees, neglecting
the elected council chiefs sacked by Ihedioha. The embattled men issued a
statement signed by Emeka Osuorji, claiming to be Imo State Chairman of the
Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), rejecting Uzodinma’s
action.
annoyance of the Rescue Mission Camp was the vehement opposition to the
appointment of the 27 chairmen of LGA Interim Management Committees, neglecting
the elected council chiefs sacked by Ihedioha. The embattled men issued a
statement signed by Emeka Osuorji, claiming to be Imo State Chairman of the
Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), rejecting Uzodinma’s
action.
It read partly:
“ALGON Imo State chapter has received with dismay, shock and consternation the
announcement of Transition Committee Chairmen in the 27 Local Government
Councils of Imo State by His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma. Our surprise
only stems from the fact that we had thought that the governor His Excellency
Hope Uzodinma would have attempted to do things differently being a product of
law and justice.
“ALGON Imo State chapter has received with dismay, shock and consternation the
announcement of Transition Committee Chairmen in the 27 Local Government
Councils of Imo State by His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma. Our surprise
only stems from the fact that we had thought that the governor His Excellency
Hope Uzodinma would have attempted to do things differently being a product of
law and justice.
“However, ALGON Imo
State chapter wishes to inform the good people of Imo State as follows: that we
condemn the illegal appointment of Transition Committee Chairmen in Imo State
in its entirety as it is a legal aberration and judicial blunder to any known
law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
State chapter wishes to inform the good people of Imo State as follows: that we
condemn the illegal appointment of Transition Committee Chairmen in Imo State
in its entirety as it is a legal aberration and judicial blunder to any known
law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
