Before now, one politician in Imo State that attracted much crowd to his side was Senator Rochas Okorocha.
His popularity gained prominence in 2011 when he emerged the governor of Imo State under APGA. His emergence saw many politicians from other stock join his administration. By the time he gained a second term in 2015, the flock of his followers increased tremendously.
However, after he served his two tenures as governor and despite being elected as Senator for Orlu zone in 2019, his followership did not only reduce but majority of those who either served his government or were part of his administration severed relationship with him to find new political romance with the administration of the incumbent, Senator Hope Uzodinma.
Trumpeta investigation reveals that majority of those who were with Okorocha/Uche Nwosu in the run up to the 2019 election have deserted the former governor to pitch tent with Uzodinma who was opposed to the political family of Okorocha known as the Rescue Missionaries.
At the moment, this newspaper can testify that the former Okorocha allies are now creating waves in the Uzodinma government.
Leading the pack is the Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Kennedy Ibeh. Ibeh’s political history cannot be written without inclusion of the Okorocha factor. In 2011 when his kinsman, Hon Chike Okafor was made commissioner by Okorocha, Ibeh was one of his aides.
It was in the process he came on board to ran for Obowo State constituency in 2015 under APC.
A notable loyalist of the Okorocha family before things turned awry, the Speaker was among the serving APC lawmakers of the 2015-2019 era that dumped the party for AA where Okorocha’s son in-law, Chief Uche Nwosu ran to pick ticket. Ibeh alongside few others won a second term ticket under AA where the Rescue Mission group moved en mass to actualize the Nwosu governorship ambition. When Emeka Ihedioha emerged winner in 2019, Ibeh shifted camp to PDP, and later to APC after Supreme Court removed him as governor.
Overtime, Ibeh became Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly to become a critical player in the government of Uzodinma. As number three citizen of Imo State, he is undoubtedly a key figure in Uzodinma government.
Two time Transport Commissioner, Rex Anunobi is another of the Okorocha’s men kicking stronger in the present administration of Uzodinma.
Though, Anunobi has been in political romance with the governor during his PDP days as a Senator but he broke away to enjoy sizzling relationship with Okorocha where he was handed political appointment.
Trumpeta recalls that in one of the bye-elections in Uzodinma’s Oru East LGA, Anunobi fondly called Sokom was agent of the Okorocha APC sent to the area. However, Sokom is commanding influence in the government of Uzodinma holding forte as commissioner. Everything happening under the transport sector is in the hands of the Nkwerre born Sokom.
The House of Reps member for Okigwe South Federal Constituency, Rt Hon Chike Okafor is one of those holding the aces in Uzodinma’s government. Of all the House of Reps members of Imo extraction, Okafor and Mirian Onuoha relate very well with Uzodinma which gives them an edge to be a kingmaker in the 3R government. Okafor has not hidden his disposition to the Uzodinma government.
Few years back, Okafor was one of those who stood strongly behind Okorocha. Picture shops of Okorocha as governor has Okafor behind. Through Okorocha he became commissioner of Finance and later had the ticket to go the House of Assembly.
The first eleven of Okorocha during his days as governor has Okafor as member. But now, he has become a force to reckon with in Uzodinma government.
Two other elected House of Assembly members; Uju Onuwdiwe and Ngozi Obiefule of Njaba and Isu respectively can be said to be those showing force in Uzodinma government. They are among the women Okorocha gave prominence in politics. While Obiefule may not have had appointment before becoming House member, Onwudiwe first became an aide to the former governor. Due to their allegiance to Okorocha’s before 2019 election, they moved to AA with Nwosu and won the election in their respective state constituencies. Onwudiwe’s famous name of Igolo Njaba was earned during her days with Okorocha but today she is on Uzodinma’s side.
Another person that cannot be overlooked as part of strong men in Okorocha’s camp is former commissioner for information, Hon Obinna Nshirim. Nshirim from Ikeduru took time to market Okorocha’s Rescue Mission administration as the mouth piece. Anyone who spoke ill of the style of the former governor got tongue lashed by Nshirim. However, after Okorocha left office, Nshirim said good bye to the Rescue Mission and has again started doing what he knows best, this time for the 3R. Trumpeta learnt that he is becoming influential.
Among those that can’t be forgotten as one of the Okorocha’s men creating waves in Uzodinma’s government is former Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere known for his closeness to Okorocha as former Chief of Staff and Deputy, the formation and stabilization of Rescue Mission has Madumere imprint. When altercation grew in their relationship, the Prince of Achi Mbieri called it quits and has pitched tent with Uzodinma’s camp where he commands a space.
From Oguta LGA comes Prince Henry Okafor. He was the first ISOPADEC MD under the Rescue Mission administration. Currently, he is an appointee to the 3R administration of Governor Hope Uzodinma on Inland Waterways and Maritime.
If one could think of Okorocha’s diehard fans, Okafor should be mentioned first following the jobs he manned for the Rescue Mission family.
ee Okorocha’s People Creating Waves In Uzodinma’s Govt
Before now, one politician in Imo State that attracted much crowd to his side was Senator Rochas Okorocha.
His popularity gained prominence in 2011 when he emerged the governor of Imo State under APGA. His emergence saw many politicians from other stock join his administration. By the time he gained a second term in 2015, the flock of his followers increased tremendously.
However, after he served his two tenures as governor and despite being elected as Senator for Orlu zone in 2019, his followership did not only reduce but majority of those who either served his government or were part of his administration severed relationship with him to find new political romance with the administration of the incumbent, Senator Hope Uzodinma.
Trumpeta investigation reveals that majority of those who were with Okorocha/Uche Nwosu in the run up to the 2019 election have deserted the former governor to pitch tent with Uzodinma who was opposed to the political family of Okorocha known as the Rescue Missionaries.
At the moment, this newspaper can testify that the former Okorocha allies are now creating waves in the Uzodinma government.
Leading the pack is the Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Kennedy Ibeh. Ibeh’s political history cannot be written without inclusion of the Okorocha factor. In 2011 when his kinsman, Hon Chike Okafor was made commissioner by Okorocha, Ibeh was one of his aides.
It was in the process he came on board to ran for Obowo State constituency in 2015 under APC.
A notable loyalist of the Okorocha family before things turned awry, the Speaker was among the serving APC lawmakers of the 2015-2019 era that dumped the party for AA where Okorocha’s son in-law, Chief Uche Nwosu ran to pick ticket. Ibeh alongside few others won a second term ticket under AA where the Rescue Mission group moved en mass to actualize the Nwosu governorship ambition. When Emeka Ihedioha emerged winner in 2019, Ibeh shifted camp to PDP, and later to APC after Supreme Court removed him as governor.
Overtime, Ibeh became Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly to become a critical player in the government of Uzodinma. As number three citizen of Imo State, he is undoubtedly a key figure in Uzodinma government.
Two time Transport Commissioner, Rex Anunobi is another of the Okorocha’s men kicking stronger in the present administration of Uzodinma.
Though, Anunobi has been in political romance with the governor during his PDP days as a Senator but he broke away to enjoy sizzling relationship with Okorocha where he was handed political appointment.
Trumpeta recalls that in one of the bye-elections in Uzodinma’s Oru East LGA, Anunobi fondly called Sokom was agent of the Okorocha APC sent to the area. However, Sokom is commanding influence in the government of Uzodinma holding forte as commissioner. Everything happening under the transport sector is in the hands of the Nkwerre born Sokom.
The House of Reps member for Okigwe South Federal Constituency, Rt Hon Chike Okafor is one of those holding the aces in Uzodinma’s government. Of all the House of Reps members of Imo extraction, Okafor and Mirian Onuoha relate very well with Uzodinma which gives them an edge to be a kingmaker in the 3R government. Okafor has not hidden his disposition to the Uzodinma government.
Few years back, Okafor was one of those who stood strongly behind Okorocha. Picture shops of Okorocha as governor has Okafor behind. Through Okorocha he became commissioner of Finance and later had the ticket to go the House of Assembly.
The first eleven of Okorocha during his days as governor has Okafor as member. But now, he has become a force to reckon with in Uzodinma government.
Two other elected House of Assembly members; Uju Onuwdiwe and Ngozi Obiefule of Njaba and Isu respectively can be said to be those showing force in Uzodinma government. They are among the women Okorocha gave prominence in politics. While Obiefule may not have had appointment before becoming House member, Onwudiwe first became an aide to the former governor. Due to their allegiance to Okorocha’s before 2019 election, they moved to AA with Nwosu and won the election in their respective state constituencies. Onwudiwe’s famous name of Igolo Njaba was earned during her days with Okorocha but today she is on Uzodinma’s side.
Another person that cannot be overlooked as part of strong men in Okorocha’s camp is former commissioner for information, Hon Obinna Nshirim. Nshirim from Ikeduru took time to market Okorocha’s Rescue Mission administration as the mouth piece. Anyone who spoke ill of the style of the former governor got tongue lashed by Nshirim. However, after Okorocha left office, Nshirim said good bye to the Rescue Mission and has again started doing what he knows best, this time for the 3R. Trumpeta learnt that he is becoming influential.
Among those that can’t be forgotten as one of the Okorocha’s men creating waves in Uzodinma’s government is former Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere known for his closeness to Okorocha as former Chief of Staff and Deputy, the formation and stabilization of Rescue Mission has Madumere imprint. When altercation grew in their relationship, the Prince of Achi Mbieri called it quits and has pitched tent with Uzodinma’s camp where he commands a space.
From Oguta LGA comes Prince Henry Okafor. He was the first ISOPADEC MD under the Rescue Mission administration. Currently, he is an appointee to the 3R administration of Governor Hope Uzodinma on Inland Waterways and Maritime.
If one could think of Okorocha’s diehard fans, Okafor should be mentioned first following the jobs he manned for the Rescue Mission family.
