Some top politicians in Imo State have besieged family members of Governor Rochas Okorocha seeking for recommendation to be appointed into the next cabinet.
The Governor had dissolved the State Executive Council and the 27 local government chairmen in the State last month.
There were feelers that the next set of appointees would be made up of politicians and those with grassroot appeal in the local governments that will serve as soldiers for the prosecution of the succession plan of the governor.
Most of the appointment seekers are well known politicians in the State who have realigned with the present government.
This newspaper gathered that a prominent politician from Owerri zone who was once a top critic of the Okorocha government had sent in his nominee for commissioner to the governor.
The politician met a close member of the Okorocha family where he was said to have highlighted his capacity to key into the succession plan of the governor and ensure its success in Owerri zone.
Owerri zone is a fierce contender for 2019 Imo governorship having not been able to produce a State governor since 1993.
Other favour seekers have become regular visitors at one of the business outlet of one Okorocha’s daughters married to Uche Nwosu, the governor’ Chief of Staff and son – in law.
A local newspaper had reported last week that Nwosu- the Chief of Staff, has been besieged by these appointment seekers all lobbying to be part of the Rescue Mission government in the second half of the administration.
Known to have considerable influence on his father in law, the Chief Of Staff is said to be relying on some members of the Imo State House of Assembly to nominate for the government those that can fight the battle of 2019.
The Chief of Staff is speculated to be interested in the 2019 governorship contest. He has not confirmed or dispelled the report rather a flurry of activities have been ongoing around him which clearly suggest that he has his sight on the governorship seat in 2019.
Most of the lobbyists for plum positions were said to have aligned with him on the basis that he has considerable influence on the governor.
No official of the State government agreed to speak on the intensity of the ongoing lobbying, but a top source admitted “that a lot is ongoing in the governor’ s camp concerning the scramble for 2019”
