As the Imo House of Assembly enters the final lap of the plot to impeach the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Sir Jude Agbaso, two top officials of the Owelle Rochas Okorocha led administration are said to be doing every thing possible to outwit each other for the yet-to-be vacated position.
Imo Trumpeta was informed that Hon Benji Uwajumogu, the Speaker of Imo House of Assembly and Prince Eze Madumere, the Chief of Staff Government House, Owerri, are at each others jugular for the coveted position of Deputy Governor.
This Newspaper learnt that the question now is not whether the present Deputy Governor, Sir Jude Agbaso will leave office, but when?
This was as a result of a grand and perfected plan to impeach Agbaso, who the allegation to nail him had already been produced and document for the final kill.
Already, Jude Agbaso has been “caged” with allegations, which was confirmed by witnesses, therefore paving way for the road of his impeachment.
Despite the clock ticking against Agbaso, the youthful Emekuku born green horn politician is not leaving any stone unturned, as he battles to save his political career and job.
Unfortunately, a source told this Newspaper, that Agbaso may not escape the impeachment hammer dangling over his head; instead he should take the shortest route and option, which is throwing in the towel, via a resignation letter, an option which will spare his political record from being dented.
Latest information filtering in has it that Agbaso had already prepared his resignation letter, incase of any eventuality.
However, despite denials from the Governor of the state, it was learnt that Okorocha is the brain behind Agbaso’s travails, as he perfected the plot to oust his Deputy, using members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the House to do the job. The lot fell on Hon Simeon Iwunze, a two time member of the House from Isiala Mbano LGA, who is known for his political deft touches.
Sources said Iwunze was to be used by the immediate past Governor of Imo State, Dr Ikedi Ohakim to remove his Deputy, Dr Ada Okwuonu.
Therefore, Iwunze has found himself in a familiar terrain and has already submitted his Committee Report, which gave damming recommendations on Agbaso, following written and oral confessions from witnesses who testified against Agbaso on the alleged N450m contract scam, said to have been paid for without due process.
While this is ragging, Hon Uwajumogu, the Speaker of Imo House of Assembly have been instructed by Okorocha to “warm up” to step into Agbaso’s shoes as his Deputy as a reward for “a job well done”.
But the troubles facing Uwajumogu now are the Chief of Staff Prince Eze Madumere and Owerri Zone.
Prince Madumere, a close ally and Aide of Okorocha, earlier tipped to succeed his Boss, is said to have sounded out Okorocha on the possibility of him taking over Agbaso’s job, which will create an opportunity for him to take “tutorials” under his Boss while 2015 draws nearer.
Meanwhile, the People of Owerri has warned that should Agbaso be removed for any reason at all, the position should still go back to the zone. This is where the ace favours Madumere.
But this Newspaper learnt that Okorocha has resolved to appease Owerri with the position of the Speaker of Imo House of Assembly, a post Okorocha says is better than that of Deputy Governor, mainly seen as a spare tyre.
Why Okorocha is insisting on Uwajumogu, is not too clear. But sources said that Okorocha wants to keep him close so that he can keep tab on the Ihitte Uboma politician with whom he had had various financial deals, among them the rolling Budget of 8 years, running into several Billions of naira, the first of its kind in Nigeria.
A source said that after using Uwajumogu, Okorocha will also send him the way of Agbaso.
Meanwhile, as the political intrigues continue, pundits are waiting patiently for the unfolding drama to come to an end.
