Despite the break being experienced by the members of the Imo State House of Assembly since they impeached the former Deputy Governor, Sir Jude Agbaso, to observe the Easter, the Speaker Rt. Hon Ben Uwajumogu is restless over emerging developments working against his office.
Trumpeta exclusively gathered that following recent exposures made concerning a meeting between the Speaker and some persons in the past, those close to the state governor are no longer comfortable with the Ihitte-Uboma born lawmaker.
It was learnt that the recent media reports where it was gathered that Uwajumogu and APGA chieftain and brother to the sacked Deputy Governor, Martin Agbaso hibernated over Okorocha’s removal is breeding bad blood between the Speaker and Okorocha’s camp.
In the said report widely carried by both national and Oweri-based media houses, Uwajumogu reportedly accused Agbaso and a top business mogul from Anambra State, Emeka Offor, as well as PDP chieftain and Vice-Chairman of the party in the state of offering him the sum of N3bn to impeach the State Governor, Owelle Okorocha. According to the details of the report, the said meeting was held August last year at Offor’s Anambra residence.
Arising from the development, egg heads in Okorocha’s camp are uncomfortable with the Speaker over the meeting with the Governor’s opposing forces. In spite of the revelation Uwajumogu made to Governor Okorocha on the alleged deal, the Governor’s men are doubting Uwajumogu’s loyalty to the number citizen of the state for attending a meeting with Martin Agbaso and Akobundu at Offor’s residence.
A source revealed that for having the courage to attend a private meeting with the aforementioned persons without first notifying Okorocha, Uwajumogu has become number one suspect in the alleged plot to impeach the Governor. It was however learnt that despite the revelation to the Governor about the said Anambra discussion, the Governor’s camp is irked over the Speaker’s Uba-Akobundu-Offor initial romance.
The question many are asking is why did Uwajumogu decide to make the meeting open, after he had attended? Again, why is it now that he is talking?
It was further gathered that the media exposure given to the bribery attempt leveled against Agbaso, Akobundu and Offor by Uwajumogu was facilitated by Okorocha’s camp to not only make a mince-meat of the Imo Speaker but also bring him to public ridicule. Uwajumogu, who is helpless over the development, could not react to retract the statements credited to him.
Another factor that necessitated anti-Uwajumogu sentiments at Government House, Owerri, is the current cross carpeting case instituted by the PDP against Imo Speaker, who allegedly dumped the party for APGA, after he emerged number one Imo legislature on the day of inauguration.
The Okorocha forces are worried that Uwajumogu may trade off his loyalty to Okorocha and APGA affinity to the cross-carpeting court scare by reaching a bargain to retrace steps back to PDP.
Worried that Uwajumogu could recollect his PDP fraternity and work against the interest of the State Governor, Okorocha’s allies are said to be working behind the scene to checkmate Uwajumogu.
A Government House source, who pleaded anonymity, disclosed that the Speaker’s moves have become a subject of suspicion and the ensuing cold war between them could metamorphose into the Speaker’s impeachment.
It was learnt that unlike in the past, the Speaker is no longer a regular guests to the Government House and slow paced in his efforts at joining the Governor undertake regular inspection of on going projects in the state.
Apparently aware of the development and poised towards adopting precautionary measures, Uwajumogu is said to be devising a means to avoid a surprise attack from the Governor’s camp, as he has intensified the renovation of the dilapidated Assembly structure. The renovation ensured the removal of the chamber roof to so that plenary session of the House is suspended indefinitely to frustrate any plot for his impeachment.
The renovation has rendered the State Lawmakers and staffers of the state legislature with no place to undertake their statutory functions again. Assembly sources however revealed that the present state of the complex guarantees no conduct of legislative business for the months ahead.
With the development, it would be difficult for the Okorocha forces to strike against Uwajumogu and make real their quest to get away with the Speaker.
However, an Aide of the Speaker who spoke to Trumpeta denied any plot to impeach his Boss, adding that Uwajumogu has a cordial relationship with Gov Okorocha.
