Detail emerged last night why for more than three months now Imo State have no commissioners. Governor Rochas Okorocha had sacked the State Executive Council last July.
Several factors have been fingered for the delay as observed by this newspaper in its latest findings.
One of such factors is the 2019 Governorship election which is compelling the Governor to poach for politicians within and outside the APC that will aid his succession plan in the coming year.
Worries were said to have been expressed why the APC in Imo State is less attractive for decamping politicians from the PDP who now prefer to head to APGA
It was unknown if the idea of appointing each commissioner from each of the 27 Local Governments is still feasible. Okorocha had said each of the 27 local governments ought to have a representative in the State Executive Council.
Twice, the list of commissioners were compiled and yet were unable to see the light of the day. The list was said to have been doctored at random and at a time withdrawn from onward transmission to the House of Assembly because of suspicions that some of the nominees loyalty were doubtful. Some of those initially penned down for appointments were later discovered to have political allegiance to Senator Ifeanyi Araraume.
Araraume is known to be enjoying the sympathy of some APC chieftains in the state thus making the government to be very thorough about those it wants to bring on board in the Rescue Mission boat. The manner some pro Okorocha supporters found their names in Araraume’s camp remains a jolting point for the Rescue Mission government who now want to be careful in constituting an election team starting with the State Executive Council.
This newspaper had reported that moves were ongoing to recruit between 3 to 10 persons per ward that will solely work for whoever the Governor selects as his choice successor in 2019. The move was later put on hold as a Government House source said it was suspended temporarily apparently after recent international engagements of the Governor which started with the visit of President Jacob Zuma of South Africa, U.S Ambassador to Nigeria and the Africa lawmakers conference.
The source said ” A lot is involved in appointing commissioners. This is the last quarter of the year and there is a consciousness that we need technocrats and politicians as well to push for the 2019 elections. What is coming on board is more less an election cabinet and after the ongoing international engagements of the Governor, announcements will be made”
The same scenario is also applicable to the appointment of Local Government Transition Committee Chairmen who were selected through voice votes at an event at the International Conference Centre, Owerri. After the compilation of a list, nothing further was heard despite the fact a second and critical look was taken at the list of nominees.