By hector obinna
Following disagreements trailing fierce lobbying by Imo State heavy weights of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, over who replaces Eze Duruiheoma as the Chairman of the Party, Trumpeta has it on good authority that the National Secretariat of the party has decided to submit the exercise to a Mini Congress.
Impeccable sources from Abuja told this Newspaper that the date for the Mini Congress would soon be released after the party hierarchy must have met to chat the way forward.
It was learnt that the modalities that will produce those to vote at the Congress would also be released, while date and time to buy forms and submit, and at what price, will also be made available in due course.
Trumpeta sources said the PDP had intended to quietly pick who replaces Eze Duruiheoma, who has been slated to replace Eze Festus Odumegwu as the Chairman of National Population Commission, Abuja.
But the exercise thought to be an easy thing and “family affair” has generated a lot of controversies, including from top members of the PDP, who do not hail from Orlu Zone, where the position is zoned to.
Trumpeta learnt that although the position is zoned to Orlu, the seat of the Chairmanship concerns all members of the PDP in Imo State, especially those seeking for elective positions in 2015, who believe that if one single fellow is allowed to foist the State Party Chairman, he may control him and even use him against those not in his good books.
Already, Trumpeta learnt, about seven names are being brandished as the possible replacements for Duruiheoma. Some of the names include Chief Bonny Ebili from Ideato South LGA, Chief (Bar) Rex Anunobi (Sokom) from Nkwerre LGA, Dr Jeff Ojinika, from Orsu LGA, Bar COC Akaolisa, Orsu LGA, Sir Martin Ejiogu, Isu LGA, and Nnamdi Anyaehie from Nkwerre LGA.
Trumpeta learnt that being the highest ranking political office holder of PDP extraction from Orlu Zone, Chief Hope Uzodinma has been directed to pencil down who replaces Duruiheoma.
However, other Imo PDP stalwarts from Okigwe, and Owerri Zones are also said to be interested in who emerges the PDP Chairman too.
Another problem is that Senator Hope Uzodinma is alleged to have facilitated the appointment of Chief Ugochukwu Nnawuihe as the new PDP Vice Chairman, who replaced Prince Macon Nlemigbo.
It was learnt that Uzodinma was allowed to do this even though he is not from Owerri Zone, where the position was zoned. And he appealed that if any of such scenario arises, it should be given to another party big wig, not knowing that the Chairmanship position would soon be vacant.
Trumpeta learnt that while Uzodinma wants to nominate Duruiheoma’s successor, he also wants to produce Odumegwu’s replacement at the Population Commission plum job.
Trumpeta was told that the conclusion now is that either Senator Uzodinma picks Odumegwu’s successor, leaving that of the party Chairmanship, or selects Duruiheoma’s replacement and forgets the NPC Boss slot.
It was said that the decision became a tall order for the Senator who said both decisions ought to be his as the Senator from the zone, and was not the cause of the latest developments in his Senatorial Zone which places the authority on his table.
Meanwhile, Chief Steve Asimobi has retraced his steps back to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, after joining All Progressives Congress, APC about two months ago.
Sources close to the Nkwerre LGA born politician said he had forwarded his letter of readmission to his Ward Chairman in Nkwerre LGA.
It was learnt that the former Special Adviser to Gov Ikedi Ohakim, who later pitched his tent with Gov Rochas Okorocha, decided to quit after realizing that he cannot stay any longer in the APC fold, which sources said he found too hot.
Asimobi worked as Electoral Consultant to Okorocha and APC on the Anambra Governorship election which APC lost last month.
Chief Chikwem Onuoha is also said to be fully back to the PDP fold. Even though he did not officially dump the party, he was romancing with Gov Okorocha, after he (Chikwem) fell out with his political mentor, Dr Ikedi Ohakim.
A source from Imo PDP told Trumpeta that it was a welcome development to have both personalities back in their fold.
