Part of the lead stories in the cover page of Trumpeta of today’s edition anchors on likely persons governor Rochas Okorocha would submit to President-Elect, Muhamadu Buhari for consideration as Minister.
Our ace columnist and Deputy Editor-In-Chief, Kelechi Mejuobi, takes a look at the caliber of personalities been bandied about in Government circle as the possible choice of the governor, for the job.
FESTUS ODIMEGWU
From the blues, Festus Odimegwu is trying to steal the show at the federal level by pulling the rug off the feet of other APC bigwigs in Imo state since the party captured power after the conduct of the general elections. Odimegwu a former Chief Executive of Nigerian Breweries has wide contacts to reach any mile in. The Orsu-born first class product has a knack to always find himself an top. Odimegwu exhibited it during the era of President Jonathan when he surprisingly got the job of National Population Commission, NPC chairman before his controversial resignation saga. Odimegwu has renewed the magic wand that found him at the corridors of power when he became the only person from the state appointed as member of the 19-man transition committee Buhari set up to usher him into power.
When Odimegwu fell out of power in Jonathan’s government, he changed camp and became Buhari’s sympathizer, prior to the elections. The one time governorship aspirant under PDP took newspaper pages and airtime in electronic media to castigate Jonathan’s administration while singing Buhari’s praises. His inclusion in the Buhari Transition Committee, that comprises crème de la crème of APC stalwarts in the country, did not come as a surprise to political watchers who think he deserve it.
OSITA IZUNASO
Had it been Osita Izunaso found his way to be declared Senateor in March 28, 2015, National Assembly elections, his name would not would have been one of those jostling for the Senate Presidency, part of the package reserved for South East State. But the fact that no APC Senator-elect is form Igboland, and Isunaso will not be on the Red Chamber on inauguration early new month, he could seek solace with ministerial portfolio.
Izunaso’s working relationship with the governor and closeness to national officers of the party will also be an added advantage to see his name appear as a ministerial nominee. His post as National Organizing secretary may be added to add advantage more feathers with the privileged post.
JUDE EJIOGU
Since the former banker turned politician joined Okorocha’s political family in 2011, his political career has blossomed from strength to strength. A new vista may be opened as he may likely be Okorocha’s joker for the Ministerial slot. From a modest chairman of Civil Service Commission, Ejiogu initially tipped for Deputy Governorship position dumbed the later to become Chief of Staff/Commissioner for Special Duties within four years of Okorocha’s government.
A dependable ally of the governor and one of the top caucus member of the Rescue Mission, the affinity between Ejiogu and the Okorocha family that comprises the First Lady, Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha, the inlaws Uche Nwosu Chucks Ololo and Prof Tony Anwuka may tilt the position in favour of the Emekuu-Owerri North thoroughbred politician.
Ejiogu is one of the few politicians who warmed into the heart of the governor from 2011 till date and granting him a ministerial slot for the state is in the offing.
BENJAMIN UWAJUMOGU
Even as he still has an eye on the Okigwe Senate seat which he lost to Athan Achnou, Speaker Ban Uwajumogu of the Imo State House of Assembly may be asked to play the “waiting game” with a ministerial position, until the election petitions tribunal takes final stand on the final winner of the contest.
Believed to be one of the greatest loyalists Okorocha associated with in the past four years, despite coming from a different background traceable to PDP, Uwajumogu has shown that he can be trusted judging from the manner he protected the interest of the governor in the House of Assembly.
For being a loyal lawmaker who held fort for the governor in the State Assembly against all odds, Uwajumogu’s name is expected to be in the list of the three nominees to be forwarded to Abuja for consideration. At every function Buahri attended, in the outgoing speaker has always being at the elevated pavilion with the President-elect. Buhari cannot feign ignorance of Uwajumogu’s importance in APC caucus in Imo to consider.
REX ANUNOBI
Popularly known as Sokom in the political circle, Rex Anunobi’s recent form in APC has thrown him up as a factor in the in coming ruling party. A former PDP member with links to his erstwhile political associate, Senator Hope Uzodimma, Sokom who went on what could be described as “political transfer” before the beginning of election has shown that his “Igbudu” title is not sheer nickname.
Since he joined Okorocha and APC after severing relationship with PDP, Sokom is carrying APC flavor to be in the bracket of those Okorocha is considering for Ministerial position for the states slot. A clearer picture of the chance of the Nkwerre-born politicalmaster strategist appeared when he surprisingly made the list of high-powered Igbo delegation of APC members to Buhari. Tongues are wagging that sokom may be “settled” with a federal appointment, courtesy of Okorocha who took time to introduce him before the President-elect during the recent handshake ritual at the Defence House .
Apart from gathering socio-cultural organsiations to drum support for Okorocha’s second term, Sokom worked tirelessly for APC victory in Nkwerre. In the re-run election, he claimed to be a victim of election thuggery in the hands of his former political soul mates when he left his Nkwerre base to Oru East.
Having made huge sacrifices for Okorocha and APC, it will not surprise observer if Sokom gets the plum job courtesy of the new man Friday, the governor.
UCHE ONYEAGOCHA
The APC Senatorial candidate for Owerri zone, is also on the list of those to be considered. Though he is also said to be approaching the tribunal to seek redress over the conduct of the election, a ministerial slot will not be bad for the politician who has ran and lost the governorship and senatorial races in the past. As a stoic player in the opposition until the party he supported gained power at federal and state level after the 2015 election, Onyeagocha is expected to be in cloud nine despite losing the Owerri zone senatorial seat. Reason, his acolytes of several years in the opposition camp like Buhari, Ogbonnaya Onu and Bola Tinubu et al, are now in power and warranting win o be part of the victorious train. Onyeagocha’s in building APC in Imo undiluted romance with Okorocha has further cemented his grip of power paving way for a federal appointment like ministerial slot.
ANTHONY ANWUKA
The secretary o the State Government of Imo State, Prof Anthony Anwuka can be said to be on the move if his name as speculated is forwarded to President-elect as a ministerial nominee. Anwuka and Okorocha established closer ties when the former was Director General of the later’s campaign organization. The resultant victory earned him the SGI ticket which he has kept till date. Even when rumours were rife that Anwuka would be shoved aside, the former IMSU VC remained untouched during major cabinet shake up. The inlaw relationship again is said to be another major cause of Anwuka’s stronghold to power in Okorocha’s government, hence the report of Anwuka making the ministerial list.
UCHE NWOSU
Uche Nwosu is a mere commissioner in Okorocha’s cabinet. But nevertheless, beyond that, the youthful politician is a power brooker and authority in Government House, Owerri.
Also, popular as one of the governor’s inlaw holding political post in Rescue Mission Governemnt, Nwosu is the man before Okorocha’s heart to be granted the ministerial slot. It would be recalled that seconds after the governor lost the APC Presidential ticket, Uche Nwosu was handed the governorship ticket in the interim before the governor later “collected” it to run for the election. The “Super” Commissioner can migrate Abuja to represent the governors’ interest in Buahri’s cabinet if loyalty is the criteria.
TOE EKECHI
Former Imo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, TOE Ekechi, cannot go empty handed in the Buhari government. As part of the think-thank team of the APC Presidential campaign team where he took charge as Director of Strategy, Ekechi has already stepped into power circle of Buhari. What the Ngor-Okpala –born politicians who lost APC ticket for Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Reps ticket in the last election needs is only an endorsement from the governor. Okorocha it was learnt has great respect for Ekechi and considers a strangest to be sent to Abuja.
