By Clinton Iwuji
Mass exodus of members and top chieftains has hit the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Imo State Chapter, following the party’s dismal performance in the last general electrons inImoState.
Weekend Trumpeta investigation reveal that most members of the party have deserted it, ostensibly to re – align with their erstwhile political allies in other political parties such as the PDP and APGA in the state.
It was learnt that Imo ACN is now a shadow of itself, a carcass as party meetings summoned at the state, ward and LGA levels are scarcely attended by members. It is party secretariat located at Owerri –Onitsharoad has almost become a “ghost office” as party executive members seldom attend such meetings.
Aside press releases and statements from the office of the secretary, Mr Chris Oguoma, which criticizes the policies of the Okorocha administration, notable party bigwigs such as Dr Alex Obi may be heading back to the PDP, a party he once served as its chairman. Obi was also Director – General of Senator Ifeanyi Araraume’s campaign organization and former governor Udenwa’s “political man Friday”
Araraume, Udenwa and Obi were said to have parted ways politically after the senator’s dismal outing at the 2011 governorship election.
According to a source, Dr Obi is alleged to be making moves to return to the PDP, having visited top PDP notchers in the state. He was said to have been sighted something at the Emekuku residence of PDP National woman leader, Dr (Mrs) Kema Chikwe.
Other top stalwarts of the party such as Chief Gibson Achonwa Njemanze (Oyiga) have left the party. Oyiga was one of the pillars of ACN inImoState, having built the party structures in Owerri zone. He is currently Board member, Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC). He was also sighted at the official unveiling of Owerri zone office of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
This Newspaper gathered that some chieftains of the party, especially those who came into the party after suffering “political bruises” in the PDP before last years election, have begun making frantic efforts to return to the PDP or APGA.
A social crusader, who was believed to have sympathy for the ACN, Citizen Ikenna Samuelson, is presently Special Adviser to Speaker, Imo House of Assembly, Rt Hon Benjamin Uwajumogu. Another ACN chieftain, who Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta axis, Goddy Esom Obodo may have also dumped the party. Obodo also sits on the board of ISOPADEC.
When Weekend Trumpeta contacted the party’s secretary, Christian Oguoma for clarification, he was not on seat. It will be recalled that the ACN crashed at the last elections in the state, securing only one seat in 27 member Imo House of Assembly. The party only boasts of Kevin Chino Obioha, who represents Njaba state constituency in Imo House of Assembly.
