With the September date Buhari issued as deadline to appoint his ministers around the corner, the race for who takes the chance of Imo State in the federal cabinet has commenced.
Undaunted by criticism, Buhari had slow paced the quest of interested parties by announcing that his ministerial nominees will be made public in September.
Before President Buhari’s pronouncement, there have been intensive horse-trading and scheming amongst some major stakeholders in the state to get the slot of Imo in the cabinet .
Trumpeta was informed that the resumed quest sees the former secretary to the state government and Okorocha’s inlaw, Prof Anthony Gozie Anwukah leading those likely to merit Imo position. Anwukah was said not to have been re-appointed as SSG by Okorocha because of a reserved federal job. This newspaper recalled that the initial internal crisis APC encountered in the South East was the issue of position of the secretary to the Federal Government. Oblivious of the fact that Buhari had tipped a confident, Engr Lawal as the new SGF, prominent Igbo leaders were at each other’s throat over the position. Accusing fingers were pointed at Okorocha for advancing the name of Anwukah ahead the likes of Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, a former governor of old Abia State an APC chieftain and Dr Chris Ngige of Anambra State.
Having failed to click the position of the SGF, Trumpeta was told that Anwuka stands tall to be considered for ministerial nominee. His affinity with Okorocha as in-law and associate makes him the man to beat.
With his senatorial interest hanging in the balance following the undecided tribunal case in Owerri, former Senator Osita Izunaso is using APC network at the national level to gain the Imo slot. As a national officer, Izunaso intends to get the position through his wide contact and connection at the party’s national headquarters.
Also coming as a substitute for Anwuka is the former Speaker of the House, Ban Uwajumogu. The former State Assembly number one lawmaker is also a front runner for the race.
Meanwhile, the former National Chairman of Nigeria Population Commission, NPC, Festus Odimegwu is also said to be mentioned in Aso Rock as likely nomine. Odimegwu who was first considered as a member of the Transition Committee who heralded Buhari’s entrance into the seat of power. A cold war is also said to have ensued between Odimegwu and Okorocha, leading the former to cast aspersions on the governor on the pages of newspaper.
Trumpeta was informed that the cause of the friction between Odimegwu and Okorocha may not be divorced from the race for who gets the ministerial position for Imo State.
