Following the formation of the All Progressive Congress, APC by four political parties in Nigeria, there are indications that the Governor of Imo state, Owelle Rochas Okorocha may not run for a second term in 2015, as he is now aiming his gaze at the National Politics.
Therefore, in order not to be taken by surprise, Imo Trumpeta learnt that already, Okorocha has begun the process of choosing who will succeed him in 2015.
It was learnt that the process is to groom a successor early enough, in order to avoid the fate that befell former Governor Achike Udenwa, who ruled Imo state for eight years without any future plan of who succeeds him.
Imo Trumpeta can reveal that Okorocha has arrived at three candidates, whom he can trust to not only perform well after him, but also protect his back whenever he leaves office.
The preferred confidants of Owelle Okorocha for 2015 Imo Guber are, Pirnce Eze Madumere, his long time Chief of Staff, even before he became Governor, Chief Uche Nwosu, the Commissioner for Land and Housing and his son in-law and Chief Charles Onuoha.
This Newspaper learnt that among the three, the major probability is Prince Eze Madumere, whom, sources said, though from Mbieri in Mbaitoli LGA, is now like a brother to Okorocha, because he has stood with the Governor both in better and for worse.
The source maintained that Okorocha has so groomed Madumere that they could communicate with eye signals. And Okorocha also believes that Madumere has the experience, maturity and political contacts to sustain him, if left alone to manage Imo.
It was also learnt that Okorocha is of the view that it would be difficult for any candidate outside Owerri zone to succeed in the 2015 Imo governorship election, except him, who may use his power of incumbency to maneuver the election and the electorate as he did in 2011.
Imo Trumpeta was informed that listing Charles Onuoha, was incase if things did not work out as presumed by Okorocha.
The source maintained that Okorocha plans to pair Madumere (Owerri zone) and his son-inlaw, Nwosu, who hails from Nkwerre LGA (Orlu zone).
Why did Okorocha not prefer his Deputy, Sir Jude Agbaso? It was discovered that Okorocha believes that Jude Agbaso may be too big to be controlled, when he (Okorocha) is out of office, but is sure of his “Boys” who would do his biddings at all times.
Meanwhile, Imo Trumpeta has been informed that Chief Martin Agbaso, the elder brother of the Imo State Deputy Governor, is busy calling meetings and mobilizing for 2015 Imo Governorship.
Impeccable sources told this Newspaper that the Senior Agbaso has even started giving out cars to prominent politicians in the state to buy into his project.
Martin Agbaso was a front runner in the Imo Governorship race prior to the 2011 election, but surprisingly abdicated his seat for Rochas Okorocha to run under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, a party Agbaso had sunk millions of Naira to nurture and sustain in the state.
This was after several negotiations and Martin asked his brother Jude, to pair with Okorocha in the race, and luckily both men clinched the seat, after defeating the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
However many had argued that had Martin Agbaso ran the race then than “selling” his position to Okorocha via his brother, Jude Agbaso, he would have won, because Imo people needed a change at that time and Martin was a well known face as far as Imo governorship race was concerned.
Whether Martin Agbaso will realize his dream in 2015 is difficult to say, but pundits maintain that he has lost his best chance in 2011.
But Agbaso does not agree with this, as he goes on with his meetings and mobilizations for the race in 2015.
