Governor Rochas Okorocha’s indecision in naming his successor is really fanning the embers of discord in his camp.This has led to an internal and fierce war that may even consume the Rescue mission camp as contenders for the plum job have resorted to desperate measures including outright blackmail and resort to falsehood.
The ongoing internal scuffle contributed heavily to the recent rumour against the State Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere. Findings reveal that the blackmail rumour was the handiwork of a former Rescue Mission disciple who is out of government but very much interested to be named as the Governor’s successor.
Rumours flew into the social media last week that the number 2 citizen of the state has been marked for impeachment by the Imo State House of Assembly. The rumour mongers went on to say that the impeachment plot has the “approval” of the State Governor.
The report was denied by the Deputy Governors media aide, Uche Onwuchekwa who described it as the handiwork of political liliputs.
But a reliable source told this newspaper that the rumour has to do with 2019 and the reported speculation that Madumere is in the scramble to get the nod of his boss to be chosen as his successor.
The impeachment rumour is said to be part of series of scheming to put the Deputy Governor on the edge. In September, another rumor had emanated that Okorocha had asked his deputy four times in the presence of his kinsmen who came on a solidarity visit if he (Madumere) wants to be governor of Imo State in 2019.
With the seeming collapse of the ambition of Secretary to the Government of Imo State, George Eche, who recently became a facilitator for Uche Nwosu’s Ugwumba Movement- the political structure of Chief of Staff, Uche Nwosu- Madumere is now believed to be the biggest threat to other contenders in Okorocha’s succession agenda.
Governor Rochas Okorocha however came to the rescue of his deputy saying he is not after him. Owelle’s reaction was timely as it sent signals that his loyal deputy for more than 20 years still earns his confidence.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemedo, he “For the sake of strengthening the truth, and burying falsehood, the governor has not given any approval for the impeachment of the Deputy-Governor. And you do not impeach anybody through approvals. Those behind all these gimmicks are uninformed and lazy. They have nothing serious to keep themselves busy. Hence, all these cock and bull stories. They have our sympathy”
