.Narrows Deputy Governor Position In Owerri Zone
.Viola Onwuliri, Ngozi Ekeji, Obinna, Ekechi Tipped
The incumbent Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma has emerged the only Aspirant that obtained Governorship form in the All Progressive Congress, APC, from Imo State.
When the Governor appeared for the screening exercise in APC Headquarter in Abuja, only Uzodinma appeared for the event.
No other Aspirant came from Imo State , not even Hon (Mrs) Juliet Akano, whose posters had before now appeared everywhere in Imo, including earpieces in Newspapers.
The indication is that Uzodinma has emerged unopposed in Imo APC, unlike Kogi State, where over twelve Aspirants came for screening the same day Uzodinma appeared before the APC Governorship screening committee.
Trumpeta learnt that already, Uzodinma is shopping for a Deputy who will meet three qualifications.
One, the person will be a female, two, she must be from Owerri Zone and finally, she must be of Mbaise extraction.
Sources said that even though Uzodinma already has a good Deputy in the person of Prof Placid Njoku, but the political equation in Imo State now warrants the Governor to drop the former Vice Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Umuahia Abia State.
Trumpeta investigation indicates that Uzodinma will meet a litmus test from Owerri zone, who believe they have been too marginalized in the Governorship diadem of Imo State and therefore will give it a serious push in November 11, 2023 the Imo Governorship election will hold.
Therefore, political Strategists around the Governor are said to have convinced the Omuma, Oru West born Governor to go for a Deputy candidate from Owerri Zone.
And this time, it was suggested to the Governor to go for a Deputy among the Mbaise Nation, at least if not for their population, but to appease the area that still feels angry for losing the Governorship Seat in January 14, 2020, when their son, Emeka Ihedioha was removed from office by APC and Uzodinma.
Uzodinma will go for a female Deputy this time to appease the female folks who have been complaining of being sidelined in Imo politics lately.
Meanwhile, whispers have it that Uzodinma may go for Ambassador (Prof) Mrs. Viola Onwuliri, a former Deputy Governorship candidate to former Governor Ikedi Ohakim in the 2011 Imo Governorship election which Ohakim lost to Senator Rochas Okorocha.
Onwuliri is a staunch Catholic and well known in the Academia, including in Mbaise Nation, where her late husband Prof Celestine Onwuliri was loved. She hails from Ahiazu Mbaise LGA.
Another name mentioned is that of Hon Mrs. Ngozi Pat-Ekeji from Aboh Mbaise LGA.
She was a former member of Imo House of Assembly representing Aboh Mbaise constituency.
Presently, she is a Special Adviser, SA, to Governor Hope Uzodinma, while her husband Chief Patrick Ekeji is Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor.
Sources said that Uzodinma’s search is not limited to the two mentioned fellows as he is said to be thinking of moving to other LGAs, including Ngor Okpala LGA, until the choice is met, and made.
In Ngor Okpala, the name of Okenze Syvester Obinna was mentioned, including that of Dr TOE Ekechi.
Sources said that Governor Uzodinma is out to choose the best since he sees his present Deputy as sound and qualified, level-headed and huge support, but the present Imo political set-up needs to joggle the position this time.
