Contrary to reports in the media that only the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, Chief of Staff, Government House, Owerri, Uche Nwosu, and Senator Ifeanyi Araraume are the only governorship aspirants in the All Progressive Congress APC in Imo State, an investigation conducted by this online newspaper has revealed that the party in Imo State have in all six governorship aspirants.
Though the trio of Nwosu, Madumere and Araraume are the most visible aspirants who have taken their ambitions to the public domain and pushing on their ambitions with vigour, others are either quietly nursing their ambition apparently calculating their political moves and still watching the political terrain before they go public.
It was observed that aside the trio, others in the race are Chucks Ololo, hubby of Commissioner of Happiness and Couples fulfillment, Ogechi Ololo.
Ogechi is Governor Okorocha’s younger sister and Chuks was former local Government Chairman of Owerri North. He had vied for Owerri Federal Constituency House of Reps seat on the APC platform in 2015 and was recently appointed Board member of Federal Institute of Research, Oshodi (FIRO)
Ololo has not been “loud” with his ambition but sources said he has begun a quiet political move to gain Okorocha’s endorsement. It is said he is playing the Owerri zone sentiment as a strong bargaining political power to earn Okorocha’s endorsement as successor.
Next in the race is Orji born Chima Anozie, popularly called Home Base. He was one time Chairman of Imo ENTRACO. He ran for Owerri North House of Assembly seat on the platform of defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP.
Like Ololo, he is said to be banking on the Owerri zone sentiment as a basis to get Okorocha’s endorsement.
Sir Jude Ejiogu, a former Secretary to Government of Imo State, SGI, is known not to have hidden his intention to succeed Rochas Okorocha in 2019.
Last December, he unveiled his campaign vehicles and has engaged in series of consultations with stakeholders within and outside the party to oil his governorship ambition. The ex banker who hails from Owerri North LGA is also alleged to pushing on with his ambition and reportedly has the First Lady, Nneoma Rochas Okorocha as her political backbone.
The present Secretary to Imo State Government, George Eche has been very tactical with his perceived governorship ambition. He has severally denied such intentions. But sources said he may be Okorocha’s option B if Uche Nwosu does not sail through as his choice successor.
Eche was reported to have engaged in a rift with the Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere, an allegation he has denied