The Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha may have lost out in the political game concerning who represents Imo State on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Following the sack of the board in August this year by the President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, nominations for replacement were expected from state governments propelled by the governors of the respective states involved in NDDC Board.
Expectedly, the Imo State Governor was reported to have sent three nominees to the presidency for consideration as NDDC Commissioner for the state. Among those Okorocha reportedly pushed for the job are two of his political associates and appointees, Hon Kamma Nwauwa and Chief Henry Igbomezie, Adviser to the Governor and Sole Administrator of Oguta LGA respectively. Both of them hail from Izombe Clan in Oguta LGA.
Since the procedure has always been the recognition and appointment of Governor’s nominees for NDDC commissionership, there were insinuations in several quarters that one of Okorocha’s nominees may be finally considered for the job.
However, the Presidency proved book makers wrong Wednesday, when it rejected the Governor’s nominees and instead appointed another candidate named Uchegbu Chidiebere Kyrian, whose name alongside others have been forwarded to the Senate for confirmation.
Uchegbu’s nomination has put to rest speculations in several quarters that Okorocha’s preferred candidates would make the final list.
A native of Umuorji, in Aborshi autonomous community of Izombe, Uchegbu had served as a councilor and former political appointee in Oguta LGA. Until his nomination, Uchegbu was a community leader and active politician.
Uchegbu is said to be enjoying the support of a serving Senator Hope Uzodinma from his zone who is reported to have pulled strings for him at all levels to scale through. The Senator is a powerful member of the Upper National Assembly and the PDP and said to have paved way for his nomination.
