As the deadline for the contentious Okigwe Zone (Imo North Senatorial) election draws nearer with the Independent National Electoral Commission’s INEC election date fixed for October 31, 2020, the political climate in Imo has charged, especially in Okigwe Area, the centre of the epic battle.
However, Trumpeta Newspaper can reveal that the ruling party in the State, All Progressive Congress, APC has been thorn into shreds following the announcement by the State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma that APC will produce its candidate through a concensus.
Trumpeta was told that since after that announcement by the Governor during the weekend, Imo APC has been on fire, as a section of the party agree with the Governor, while another Group said no.
It was said that the Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma intentionally wanted a concensus option as a means to “stop” some perceived strong characters who may emerge as APC candidate.
Trumpeta was told that already the “Concensus committee” led by Chief Cosmos Iwu, the SSG, as Chairman, and Mrs Love Ineh as Secretary has commenced their work in order to beat INEC dateline.
However, Trumpeta learnt that in the Caucus meeting held at Government House, Owerri,
Senators Ifeanyi Araraume, and Rochas Okorocha could not attend, which many read as a signal that troubles is brewing.
Despite their absence, the meeting still went ahead, even though some members of House of Representatives loyal to Okorocha did not show up.
Trumpeta was told that those who stayed away from the Caucus meeting were the core APC members, while they described those in attendance as “CampHope members of PDP faction”
This Newspaper was told that the Okorocha and Araraume’s followers, seen as real APC members will not accept whatever comes out of the “Concensus meeting” but prefare a level playing ground that will produce a candidate for the party based on transparent primary.
Already over Ten Aspirants are jostling for the Senatorial ticket for Okigwe zone.
They include Chief Chikwem Onuoha, Rt Hon Acho Ihim, Senator Athan Achonu, Mrs Chidinma Uwajumogu, Chief Ibezim, Hon Uchendu, etc.
Trumpeta learnt that even among the mentioned Aspirants, some of them want an open primary, as most of them had spent a lot canvassing around and consulting.
“I am yet to make up my mind or not on the concensus issue. Left for me, it would have been better in an open primary where who loses would know he/ she lost gallantly.
I fore see where litigations will spring up to scuttle APC chances” an Aspirant confided in Trumpeta.
Meanwhile, one of the Aspirants accused the Governor, Senator Uzodinma of trying the shut out real APC members from contesting the election, by using concensus ploy to foist a CampHope candidate on Imo APC.
“As far as I am concerned, there is nothing good about concensus. Let us go out to the field and whoever wins would be supported by others” Trumpeta was told.
Indications are that Imo APC is facing a tough battle that has already started trying the party apart even before the election proper.
