The seeming battle of supremacy between Imo state governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma and his predecessor and Senator representing Orlu Zone, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has left the political hemisphere of the state into one of the apex social cultural organizations of Igbo people, name Ohaneze Ndigbo.
This is not the best of the moment for the group as leadership tussle at its roots are traced to two top flight politicians of Imo state, is ravaging it at the moment.
On Sunday, Ohaneze organized an election at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri where Ambassador George Obiozor emerged the Chairman. The well attended event saw other contenders step down except one aspirant who contested the position.
Earlier before that day, another group had claimed it organized an election through virtual means to elect a former commissioner in Imo Stage; Chief Chidi Ibe.
Both Obiozor and Ibe are from Imo state; the state entitled to produce the Chairman of Ohaneze.
Earlier, court had barred one of the groups not to undertake any parallel election.
Trumpeta investigation revealed that the current battle in Ohaneze cannot be divorced from the lingering feud between Uzodinma and Okorocha.
This newspaper recalls that since coming on board as the governor, Uzodinma and Okorocha have been locked in fierce battle over who takes control of APC structures in Imo and active role in the South East arm of the party.
Their altercations have been public which further opened frontiers for verbal exchanges with their followers taking sides.
It was further learnt that while the emergence of Ibe, noted to be a strong ally of Okorocha has the blessing of the former governor, the attitude of Government House Owerri to the election of Obiozor cannot be divorced from Uzodinma’s interest.
Ibe, from Mbaise was Okorocha’s former commissioner and campaign master of the son in-law’s Governorship bid in 2019.
This newspaper was told by a chieftian of Ohaneze Ndigbo that the interest of the two politicians have caused friction with the emergence of two heads claiming to have won the election conducted under different platforms.
The chieftain who pleaded anonymity said, they have carried their differences from Imo Politics into Ohaneze with the identities of those who claim to have been elected are considered.
