An ill wind is again blowing around the Imo state House of Assembly as members are said to be pitched against each other over unconfirmed secret meetings among various camps in the House.
However, the secret meeting turned into to a suspected oath-taking exercise. Events leading to the oath-taking scandal began last week Tuesday when all members elected under APGA platform gathered at the House of the Deputy Speaker for a meeting. Though details of the meeting were not made public but informed sources disclosed that the issue of APGA fraternity and the desire to work as one body to protect the leader of the Party in the state and Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha was at the front burner. The believed evil machinations of some elements in PDP and the rumoured plot of some powerful forces to oust Okorocha using the House machinery was said to have forced the APGA members of the House to a meeting where one among other things dwelt on their welfare and need to resist infiltrations and PDP excesses.
After the Tuesday meeting, another meeting was scheduled for Wednesday to enable the APGA faction reach a compromise before the scheduled travel of the Deputy Speaker to India. When the APGA members gathered the next day, it was learnt that the meeting took another shape. In order to authenticate the earlier agreement by the lawmakers, an oath-taking process was introduced where those involved were expected to not only collect about N2m each but also be part of the oath exercise. Except the member representing Nwangele, chief Ugonna Ozuruigbo (OZB), other APGA member, including the only ACN member, were part of the meeting.
While the meetings were going, on PDP lawmakers were on the track of their colleagues and one who mistakenly attended was not allowed to be part of the exercise.
As the House resumes after the festive periods there is crisis of confidence and mutual suspicion among members based on party affiliations. Members are divided in opinion and views on issues affecting the House.
