Indications became clear last week that Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha will announce his successor in February 2018
The Governor had tactically delayed announcing his successor though it was learnt that the mock primaries he proposed for aspirants in his Rescue Mission camp would be used as a yardstick for his successor to emerge.
However, the mock primaries has been opposed by some concerned stakeholders in the All Progressive Congress, APC where said it is not in tandem with the Constitution of the party.
This newspaper gathered that the likely announcement may have precipitated the step up of the governorship bids of the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere and Chief of Staff, Government House, Owerri, Uche Nwosu. They are the two major contenders for the governorship ticket though reports said Mr. Chucks Ololo and the Secretary to Imo State Government, George Eche are also interested.
Nwosu appears to be having the upper hand in the scramble having received the endorsement of the All Progressive Congress, APC in seven local Government Areas of Imo State.
Last week, he was endorsed by a youth summit where they called on him to join the Imo Governorship contest. Some members of the Imo State House of Assembly are also backing the young politician, just as some commissioners have been co- opted in his Ugwumba Movement, a political structure oiling his guber ambition.
In his response to his endorsement by some youths at the weekend, Nwosu acknowledged the wave of support for his ambition, vowing not let them down.
In a statement he said “In due time I will openly make my intention known to all my well wishers and generality of Imo people. Meanwhile I promise not to let you down or take the various endorsements for granted”
The Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere has also stepped up the intensity of his campaign to get Okorocha’s nod for the plum job in 2019.
Aside receiving the endorsement of the Mbaitoli chapter of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Madumere is reaching out to key stakeholders within and outside the Rescue mission in a bid to woo his boss to anoint him as his successor.He is believed to have made in roads in Owerri zone chapter of the APC who seem to be sympathetic to his cause on the grounds that Owerri zone should produce the next governor of Imo State.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Uche Onwuchekwa aimed at his drumming support for his ambition he said he is the most qualified to bring the State and its citizens to the next level. Madumere said he has the right spirit and well prepared to take over the mantle of leadership, adding that he has the right temperament and experience to stir the ship.