Nine months after being sworn-in as the Governor of Imo State, indications are that Senator Hope Uzodinma has concluded plans to reshuffle his cabinet, with minor changes that will send some old faces out, and bring new ones on Board.
Trumpeta learnt that latest development is in fulfillment of the deal struck as part of the solution to the crisis rocking Imo APC that has two contesting factions of the party, with different State Chairmen.
Trumpeta was informed that although the cabinet reshuffle will not be total or to appease a former Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, but to “Bring In” some APC members in the State who have pleaded their loyalty to the Governor recently.
This Newspaper was told that the cabinet reshufflement would be like killing two birds with one stone, as the Governor will use the opportunity to weed out some of his Aides who have not yet had a grip of their assignments, and also appoint new people.
Trumpeta was told that APC hierarchy in Abuja, has informed Governor Uzodinma the essence of accommodating more people into his cabinet, as the story in Abuja has is that Uzodinma used APC platform to will Election through the court, “only to dump APC members and stuck with his immediate followers who are all PDP people”.
Trumpeta learnt that the frequent trips to Abuja by Uzodinma was to have meetings with those who put him in office, as what they hear about Imo State is not palatable becasue the story is that Imo APC is “not in power in Imo State”.
With the latest news, sources said that there is apprehension and panic among Uzodinma’s appointees who are privileged to learn about the impending cabinet reshuffle.
Trumpeta was told that Uzodinma may be bold enough to throw out some of the Commissioners who have performed beyond expectation and have been causing bad name for the Government.
Sources said that there are some Ministries that Imo people have not heard of their Commissioner seven months after being in office, and such Commissioners should prepare for their exits.
“The truth is that Governor Uzodinma knows that not all his Commissioners are performing. So, this may be an opportunity to throw such persons out” a source told Trumpeta Newspaper.
It was also learnt that Uzodinma may use the reshufflement to cut down the number of his Aides, as the cost of paying the legion of his Aides is taking a tool on Imo coffers.
“Governor Uzodinma, in a bid to patronize all those who worked for him has one of the largest Cabinets in Nigeria today. The amount spent on these large Aides can help build projects for the State. They Governor may reduce the number during the coming reshuffle” Trumpeta was confided in.
Although some of the Ministries that would be affected were mentioned, but for personal reasons, this Newspaper refused to mention them now.
Meanwhile, Trumpeta was told that the recent visit by the “Coalition Group” of Imo APC to Uzodinma may be one of the reasons the Governor decided to tinker with his Executive, as the Leaders of Coalition were asked to compile a list of those from their Group to be appointed into Uzodinma’s Executive.
However, Trumpeta learnt that till now, the Coalition is yet to agree on who to make the list, which may delay Uzodinma’s cabinet reshuffle.
“The Coalition is still battling on how to produce the list that may not be more than ten persons. So, it has been a difficult task” a top Coalition member told Trumpeta.
