The list of commissioners nominees released by Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has further confirmed the Governor’s resolve to take the battle for 2019 to the home front of Senator Ifeanyi Araraume.
Araraume has been making rampaging moves in Imo APC gaining fierce loyalty and support from teeming members.
Okorocha on Thursday announced the nomination of Angela Uwakwem, a former Managing Director of Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Owerri and an APC chieftain, Lady Joy Mbawuike as commissioners nominees.
9 others also made the cut which has been submitted to the Imo State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.
Uwakwem and Mbawuike are from Araraume’s Isiala Mbano Local Government Area which has raised clear indications that the appointments have serious political undertones viz-a-viz the soul for the APC governorship ticket in 2019.
Uwakwem is known for her doggedness and iron steel disposition which she showcased when she headed the FMC, a key factor which may have influenced her coming on board in the last lap of Okorocha’s government.
Lady Mbawuike is a core politician having won the 2015 Isiala Mbano State Constituency. She is said to be relentless and known for her political astuteness which made her a strong political force in Isiala Mbano politics.
Reports said she was a loyalist of Senator Araraume but may have made a switch by joining Okorocha’s camp after her election.
The appointment of two commissioners from Isiala Mbano LGA by the governor is a clear manifestation that Okorocha may have decided to apply more pressure on the senator’s home front.
Two months ago, Isiala Mbano APC was on fire when the Party Chairman loyal to Senator Araraume was rooted in by the National Working Committee of the APC after the Okorocha camp unsuccessfully and desperately implanted a core Rescue mission loyalist as Chairman of the party.
Some pro Araraume LGA party executives were reportedly beaten up by thugs at a meeting of party officers months later. This has further widened the gap of enmity between the duo.