At last, Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha made public list of commissioners’ nominees whose names have been forwarded to the Imo State House of Assembly for confirmation.
The State government through a list sent to the House disclosed the identity of the new persons to constitute the cabinet five months after Okorocha made a clean sweep of the State Executive council.
After pre appointment prediction, Okorocha came out with a 13-man choice of the nominees through a process where the 2019 election, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume and influence of Chief Uche Nwosu cannot be divorced. In this edition, this newspaper will look at how the new commissioners emerged.
PROF NNAMDI OBIARERI
A figure in Imo State politics. Obiareri always has luck on his side during each government which makes him appear as one of the proverbial “Any Government in Power, AGIP) politician. After serving the Achike Udenwa and Ohakim government, the law teacher cum politician found himself in Okorocha government at the beginning of the second tenure. After failure to get PDP ticket to become Senator, Obiareri aligned with Senator Ifeanyi Araraume to take a walk out of PDP before the 2015 guber election. At the end of the election, he was rewarded with SA job, before reappointment and subsequent upgrade to commissioner.
A former commissioner of Youths and Sports and later lands during Ohakim era, Obiareri is said to have warmed himself into the heart of Okorocha. In the height of division in APC, Trumpeta was informed that Obiareri defied all odds to pitch tenth with Okorocha against his former ally Araraume. Of all the Araraume men that joined him to move en mass to APC, it was the IMSU lecturer that has jettisoned the Isiebu Isiala Mbano two-time Senator for Okorocha. The solid defense Obiareri gives the Okorocha administration in the social media also tipped him to win a space in the heart of the state governor.
Further reports have it that Okorocha apparently aware that if Obiareri who is said to be in love with political position is left with only SA position, may dump Rescue Mission government for his ally Araraume, used the appointment to not only cage him but also make him a formidable force against opposing groups in Okigwe zone.
CYRIL OKAFOR
The emergence of the Orsu born politician who went underground after becoming chairman of the LGA during the Udenwa era has aroused mixed feelings in the area. Popularly known as Cympok, Okafor’s appointment is to checkmate the activities of some APC leaders in LGA who are said not to be disposed to the lineup of the governor in APC setting. There are strong indications that apart from the former House member, Bros Stan Dara, others like Chief Ford Ozumba, and Val Mbamala are not for him in the politics of APC.
OBINNA MBATA
Having served in the capacity before the dissolution of the State Exco, Mbata from Owerri Municipal cannot be left out. Trumpeta checking has it that from 2011 Okorocha came into power; he has not been able to easily discharge those who held sway as commissioner for finance and Accountant General. House of Reps member, Hon Deacon Chike Okafor and the Secretary to the State government, George Eche serve as best example having served as Finance Commissioner and Accountant General respectively. So Mbata is retained to continue to serve in that capacity.
JONES UZOKA
How Okorocha left his former Attorney General, Barr Miletus Nlemedim for a new appointee from Oguta LGA, Hon Jones Uzoka is rattling followers of developments in Rescue Mission government Uzoka, a former Majority Leader of Imo State House of Assembly was a PDP member and even voted as one of the party’s delegate in the primary preceding the election. He joined Okorocha’s APC later and was rewarded with chairman of ISOPADEC where he only stayed in office for few months. Uzoka’s appointment is seen as compensation after the politician from Orsu Obodo was abruptly sacked alongside the board of ISOPADEC where he served as chairman.
JOY MBAWUIKE
Lady joy Mbawuike, who was elected to represent Isiala Mbano before the courts knocked her out is a product of the governor’s wife, Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha. Stories have it that despite party differences, Nneoma Okorocha stood for her during the bye electio despite the fact that she lost. Amazed by the approach of the governor’s wife, Mrs Mbawuike now developed soft spot for the First Lady prompting her to move close to the APC by attending functions of the governor and the wife. She is seen as an ally of Madam Okorocha even as tongues are wagging that her appointment is to wage war against Araraume in Isiala Mbano politics.
ANGELA UWAKWEM
Uwakwem meteoric rise to gain public office after pitching tenth with the APC indicates that the former FMC boss is in for a political mission. Only recently, she was appointed Adviser on Health before the elevation. Believed to be a dogged fighter considering how she wheathered the storm at FMC, the woman from Isiala Mbano is also said to be backed by external forces who feel that getting political appointment will easily make her forget the FMC trauma. In the other hand, Uwakwem’s appointment is also seen as another force to checkmate Araraume in Isiala Mbano APC family.
CHIDI NWATURUOCHA
One of the allies of the Chief of Staff to the governor Chief Uche Nwosu, there is no hidden the fact that the youthful Nwaturuocha is a product of Nwosu. Before now, the fair-skinned youth has been spotted with the governor’s Chief of Staff, giving an indication that his appointment is traceable to Nwosu.
TONY UMEZURUIKE
After a failed attempt to grab APC ticket for Owerri Federal Constituency, Tony Umezuruike who it is suspected went on sabbatical in the field of politics has resurrected if the post of commissioner is anything to go by.
There are strong indications that Umezuruike from Amakohia area of Owerri North is slated to check the influence of some leaders in Owerri Federal Constituency, especially Owerri North, where the likes of Chief Jude Ejiogu bestrides. In a bid to maintain hold of Owerri, Umezuruike was chosen to protect the interest of Rescue Mission.
