The latest fight now among the Big Wigs of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Imo State is the issue of Ministerial slot of the State, following pronouncements by President Mohammadu Buhari that he would reshuffle his Federal Executive Council, to inject fresh bloods into the system.
According to information available to Trumpeta, among those penciled down for replacement is Prof Anthony Anwuka, the Minister for Education (State), who is Governor Okorocha’s in-law, and was single-handedly nominated by Okorocha.
Trumpeta learnt that already the battle for Imo slot has started, with Imo APC Abuja camp, headed by Senator Ifeanyi Araraume out to wrestle the Imo Ministerial slot from Okoroha this time, as he was said to have had his way when Imo APC was his Baby and not now.
Sources told this Newspaper that Senators Ifeanyi Araraume, Osita Izunaso, Hon Emeka Nwajiuba Senator Benji Uwajumogu and others in Abuja have resolved to produce the person to replace Anwuka, who was hospitalized recently.
Trumpeta was informed that the Imo APC Abuja Branch has told Buhari how Anwuka emerged, simply because he is the Governors inlaw, which sources said Buhari was not aware until Anwuka was inaugurated as Minister.
The Abuja Group was said to have convinced Buhari on the zoning pattern in Imo State, where the Governor not only come from Orlu zone, but selected his in-law, who also is from Orlu to be made Minister.
Trumpeta learnt that the Abuja Group has asked the President to allow them fish out a Ministerial nominee who will come from Okigwe zone this time.
This Newspaper was informed that already the Abuja Camp has resolved to nominate a certain woman (names withheld) as the next Minister for Imo State.
The beautiful and highly educated female’s name has already been handed to the Presidency, waiting to be announced soon.
However, a source said that Gov Okorocha been doing everything possible to convince the President to either allow Anwuka continue in office, or allow him make the choice for Imo State.
But this Newspaper was told that Okorocha’s relationship with Buhari has gotten less rosy, since after the Imo State Governor started bringing in Presidents from other countries into Imo State, as if he is running another central Government apart from Abuja.
The sources said this did not sit well with the Presidency who saw such acts as a waste of Imo State’s scares resources in pursuance of a personal agenda with State funds.
Meanwhile, it was learnt that Senators Uwajumogu, Araraume, Izunaso and Hon Emeka Nwajiuba have mobilized their contacts in the National Assembly to frustrate any other Ministerial nominee from Imo State except their chosen nominee.
