Names of two prominent politicians of Imo State extraction, Governor Hope Uzodinma and his immediate predecessor, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha are gaining prominence in the political circle as likely candidates to be chosen for the position of the Vice President to the Presidential candidates of APC and PDP respectively.
While APC has slated coming week for the conduct of the national convention to select Presidential flagbearer, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku had already emerged for PDP during last weekend’s convention of the party in Abuja.
Even as the would be candidate of the APC is yet to emerge, feelers have it that Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan is on the front row of grabbing the ticket. In the permutation ahead of the primaries, Lawan from Yobe State, North East zone of Nigeria ranks high among the contestants willing to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.
Ironically, despite the number of South East Presidential candidates who bought APC form, Uzodinma can be said to be pro Lawan, an indication that should the Senate President picks the ticket after the primaries, the Imo State governor would be on the top list for consideration as Vice.
Trumpeta observed that Uzodinma led the team who purchased Lawan’s form and Expression of Interest. The governor has not hidden his support to the number one Senator in the National Assembly, to conclude that he is being tipped as running mate.
Another sign that Lawan may come for Uzodinma as Vice Presidential candidate if he eventually wins is the purported adoption handed to him by South East delegates of the APC. It is believed that the adoption cannot be divorced from the Imo governor who stands a chance to get the VP slot should the senate President clinches the ticket.
The exit of Peter Obi from PDP and intent to run the Presidency under Labour Party has opened window of opportunity for Ihedioha to emerge PDP VP candidate.
Having grown in the political ladder to gain prominence in the main opposition party, Ihedioha remains one of the resounding PDP members from the South East zone, Atiku would consider as Running mate.
Under the Muslim and Christian balancing of Presidential candidate, Ihedioha as a Christian can be made VP to Atiku who is a Muslim.
Since Atiku ran with Obi who has left the party for Labour Party, searchlight has been beamed on Ihedioha for the position.
Apart from their initial political affinity as Ihedioha is said to be one of Atiku’s lieutenants in the past, the Tambuwal connection the former House of Reps Deputy Speaker has in the party has made his name come up severally as possible running mate to the PDP’s candidate.
