The secret reconciliation moves between Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma and his predecessor and Senator Representing Imo West Senatorial Zone, Rochas Okorocha, which reportedly began last year, may have hit the rocks over the latter’s insistence on backing some of his political foot-soldiers, who are candidates in Labour party and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
There were reports in the media last year that moves to reconcile Uzodimma and Okorocha were ongoing after the duo had engaged in fierce political altercations.
This Newspaper gathered from credible sources that Okorocha is not relenting in his support for three of his political henchmen in the forthcoming general elections.
They are member representing Oguta, Oru West and Ohaji/Egbema Federal Constituency, Kingsley Uju, Member representing Nkwerre, Isu, Nwangele and Njaba Federal Constituency, Ugonna Ozuruigbo and member representing Ideato Federal Constituency, Dr. Paschal Obi.
The trio had dumped the All Progressives Congress, APC for the PDP and Labour party respectively where they successfully secured return tickets.
While Ozuruigbo and Uju went to PDP, Paschal Obi moved to Labour Party.
Part of the new deal between Uzodimma and Okorocha, sources claim, is that the two political leaders will bury their differences and work collectively to ensure resounding victory for the All Progressives Congress in the forthcoming February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections and the March 11, State Assembly elections.
However, with less than a month to the elections, the former Governor is said to have shown no sign to keep his part of the deal by insisting that the three Federal lawmakers and other loyalists who are aspiring for various positions in other political parties, be allowed to go to the polls on the platform of the parties they secured their tickets.
An Owerri based Newspaper claimed that top officials of Imo state Government and the APC in the State are opposed to Okorocha’s posture, which may crumble the ongoing peace moves.
A top source in Government circles in Owerri said Governor Uzodimma “is totally averse to the position of Okorocha on this matter”
It is unclear if Uzodimma and Okorocha have met since the beginning of 2023, to continue the “peace or exploratory talks”
The source continued “Okorocha’s recent utterances where he said he will soon tell his supporters whom to vote for in the coming elections has weakened whatever gains the talks with Uzodimma might have recorded
The former governor had also at the funeral of the mother of Hon Kingsley Uju, said he will soon address a world press conference where he will announce to Imo people candidates they will vote for at the elections.
There are strong indications that he will align with the political parties his candidates have secured tickets.
“If he goes ahead and makes such proclamation at the world press conference, then there is no basis for further talks or discussions with him because it is very clear he will not support APC candidates and this may crumble the peace talks, because Uzodimma is totally committed to deliver the APC in the State 100 percent” the source claimed.
