By peter uzoma
The centre can no longer hold for political leaders in Orsu LGA, Imo State, especially those of All Progressives Congress, APC extraction. The crux of the matter is the struggle for who replaces the deceased nominee for the position of Transition Committee Chairman of the LGA, Chief Gabriel Sunday Umenyi whose name was announced towards the dying minutes of last year.
Chief Umenyi who was APGA House of Assembly candidate in 2011 election met his untimely death last week in a controversial circumstance while waiting for screening and subsequent confirmation for the LGA TC position by the Imo State House of Assembly.
Before Chief Umenyi’s death was made public, some front line politicians from the area began moves to replace him. Trumpeta learnt that a top political office holder from the LGA led other leaders to Government House Owerri for purposes of seeking replacement. The leader of the group who is heading an agency in the state (names withheld) was said to have met with a principal aide and close confidant of the governor on the issue where they made a case for their choice candidate. Their move was however rejected as the governor’s top confidant expressed shock that instead of discussing on burial plans and showing mournful posture, the interest of the inquisitive group was only on replacement of the dead nominee.
The surreptitious moves of the group led by the head of a government parasatal in one of the ministries at the state secretariat has not only polarized the factionalized APC leadership in Orsu but has also heightened suspicion that some aggrieved groups may allegedly be behind the mysterious death of the TC Chairman nominee.
Issue of political relevance and appointment has torn APC leaders apart in Orsu LGA with three factions struggling for supremacy in the area. The bid to find a replacement for Umenyi, fondly called Chinwata kwe Aku of Amaruru, has further divided the ranks with the replacement move fueling bad blood and altercations.
Trumpeta further gathered that the member representing the State Constituency in the House of Assembly, Bro Stan Dara is bitter over the development. Dara who is reported is yet to overcome the sudden death of Umenyi who he facilitated to become TC Chairman Nominee as compensation for not going to challenge his 2011 election victory in court or tribunal, is trying to disassociate himself from the political squabbles over Umenyi’s replacement.
Assembly sources indicate that Dara may not be in a mood to advocate for immediate replacement considering the fact that the death has not been officially announced as the council is still in mournful mood. The circumstances surrounding the death and subsequent moves to have Omenyi replaced coupled with the internal bickering for appointments and positions is generating confusion in Orsu LGA.
