The Imo State APC Congress has been concluded the program which started on May 5, 2018 and concluded two Saturdays ago did not end without the razzmatazz associated with party politics as different camps battled for honours.
Though, the ward congress is a matter before the court when the faction traceable to Governor Rochas Okorocha proceeded to the Federal High Court, Owerri, to seek redress.
However, with the outcome of the congresses appearing cloudy at the state level, reports from the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja State that a list of Ward, LGA and State officials have been deposited to occupy the office.
Trumpeta learnt that ahead the APC National Convention of June 23 in Abuja, Imo will have a list of State party Exco who will take part.
Our editorial crew takes a look at the losers and winners of the congresses.
Losers
ANAYO ROCHAS OKOROCHA
The state governor is one of the greatest losers. After boasting of having enormous prowess to send those challenging him to the cleaners and retiring some, Okorocha has turned into a complainant since the congress commenced, till date.
His desire to have firm control the state structure as a first plot to install his son in-law, Uche Nwosu has suffered a serious setback. The governor is said to be running from “pillar to post” for a rescue and how to launch back into reckoning after suffering defeats. But as a Chief Executive who can’t boast of a Ward Chairman even in his Ideato South LGA, he is one of the main losers to be mentioned.
UCHE NWOSU
The second in command in the governor’s political family cannot be wished away easily in the records of those who lost out. As the governor choice for a suceessor, Uche is banking on the support of the father in-law to make real his ambition of becoming number one citizen of the state.
But with his camp of APC losing the soul of APC and Okorocha seeking a way back, it is obvious that he is also a loser and chances of his Ugwumba Movement becoming a reality is bleak.
CHIKE OKAFOR:
The fortune of House of Reps member who braced all odds to be elected in 2015 to have a second shot at the lower chamber of the National Assembly has nosedived if the result of the congresses are considered. Okafor who is House Committee Chairmen on Health is a strong member of the Okorocha political camp that lost out completely. The former finance commissioner in Imo was banking on getting the control of the party structure in his Okigwe South Federal Constituency to outwit main challenger, Hon Emeka Nwajiuba of the “Allied Forces”. The outcome showed he has joined Okorocha and Co to wail on the manner his supporter didn’t get the party offices.
NNAMDI OBIARERI:
After failing to get the ticket of PDP to run for senate position in 2015, Prof Obiareri may be in again for a wild goose chase again considering his Okorocha line up that failed to pick offices in ward, LGA and State Congresses of APC. It has been a disquiet situation among Okorocha’s followers he “endorsed” for positions as the camp is yet to be sure of what the future has for them. Obiareri, a serving commissioner is billed to run for Okigwe zone senate through Okorocha’s backing. Except there is an otherwise, no way for the law teacher.
EMMA OJINERE:
The Owerri zone senate hopeful will not have easy to scale the hurdles of the primaries if the names of party officials who emerged after the congresses are considered. Following the decline of the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere who snubbed Okorocha’s Owerri zone senate endorsement, the name of Ojinere came up. But doom awaits the aspiration of the Ahiazu Mbaise commissioner the result of the congresses are considered.
RAPHEAL NNANNA IGBOKWE:
The member representing Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Mbaise in the House of Reps may be regretting why he dumped PDP for APC as he is nowhere near the map of APC structure in his constituency. Igbokwe is also a pro-Okorocha and part of new force of Rescue Mission since he started hobnobbing with Uche Nwosu and Rescue Missionaries.
Ahead of the congress, Igbokwe who was hopeful that Okorocha will have his way donated cars and other attractive items to the APC officials with the hope they will back him for a third tenure that will make him eligible to stand for principal office position in the House of Reps if he wins in 2019. The new composition may see him not able to pick APC ticket since none of his cronies he gave vehicles and other material gifts made the list at APC National Secretariat.
CHARLES AMADI:
Popularly known as Chalvon, Charles Amadi from Ikeduru falls into the losers category. The former leader of the out of favour OZOPOLF and now chieftain of Ugwumba Movement had his dreams of becoming APC state chairman cut off by the congress. Trumpeta learnt that Chalvon remains Okorocha sure bet for the position of chairman to pave way for the emergence of his son inlaw, until the congresses knocked him off. The cult figure Chalvon was receiving as the de facto chairman against Keke has reduced as indications that he has lost out from the intrigues has emerged.
UGONNA OZURUIGBO:
The Deputy Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, had hinged all his hope on the capacity of Okorocha to carry the day to enable him pick the ticket of Nkwerre/Isu/Njaba/Nwangele Federal Constituency ticket under APC. But the turn-around in the congress has put his ambition in a tight corner as he has no hold of any LGA official to hold on for the primaries.
ACHO IHIM
Imo State House of Assembly who leads the APC members in the House joined to be in a sad mood as Okorocha camp rues the loss of zero control of party structure. Since the governor didn’t allocate any political position to him unlike other strong apostles of Rescue Mission, Ihim is tipped to be running mate to Nwosu in the arrangement of the Team Okorocha. But the heavy defeat in the hands of Allied Forces is a possible nunc dimities to the Speaker’s political career in 2019.
Winners
OSITA IZUNASO
The National Organizing Secretary of APC has proved his worth by using the vintage office at the national level to ensure the Allied Forces emerged victorious. Trumpeta gathered that the tactical approach adopted by Izunaso and Co made them to smile at the end of the exercise. The delegates will ensure he returns to occupy the post against challenges posed by Okorocha and Co who wanted him but by all means.
IFEANYI ARARAUME:
The victory of the Allied Forces can be said to be a big boost to the ambition of Araraume to govern Imo State .Since the first hurdle is to capture the structure and get the delegates to elect the flagbearer, the Isiebu, Isiala Mbano born top shot is a winner in this aspect. Most of the officials of the party have affinity with him.
BEN UWAJUMOGU:
Senator representing Okigwe zone has every reason to rejoice and start plotting for a second term in office after Okorocha publicly declared that he won’t make it and went ahead to adopt one of his commissioners as successor.
Uwajumogu, maximized his congress secretary position to sway victory to his side thereby having the new party officials as his loyalists. This development has put his challengers in difficult situation to torpedo his ambitions of a back-to-back chance.
EZE MADUMERE:
The Imo State Deputy Governor appears to be the greatest victor in the battle. Considering the risk he took to break an age-long relationship with his principal and joined the Allied Forces to subdue Okorocha, the efforts Madumere to pitch tenth with the coalition did not go in vain where he can now boost of producing ward, LGA and State officials in the arrangement. His ally, Chief Hillary Eke still retained the position of the state party chairman. The belief was that if Madumere separates from Okorocha, there won’t be a head way for him the coming political dispensation. But he has proved bookmakers wrong to laugh last while his boss is still gnashing teeth for the congress misfortune.
JUDE EJIOGU:
The former secretary to the state government, SSG, belongs to the category of winners having dumped Okorocha’s Rescue Mission to fight for the congress on the side of the coalition. His efforts paid off handsomely to be called a victory in the battle. He has a gain.
TOE EKECHI:
Ngor Okpala born politician surprised many when he launched a major missile against Okorocha with the Imerienwe Declaration. He contained and fought on the side of coalition to upset the governor in the control of party structure. He is a force to reckon with in Imo APC after the congresses as he leads the media war to upset the governor.
UZOMA OBIYO:
The front runner in the coalition have had his opposition to the governor’s control of party structure justified with the outcome of the congress. His rumoured intention to run for the office of the governor can now join the fray for 2019 Guber.
ICHIE MBANASO:
The Orlu born politician was almost vilified when he joined the coalition to stop Okorocha. He suffered vendetta but the outcome of the congress is a consolation to the former commissioner in the governor’s cabinet.
