Despite Governor Rochas Okorocha open support for the governorship ambition of his Chief of Staff, Uche Nwosu, some governorship aspirants within the party especially those within the Rescue Mission camp of the Governor are still pushing on with their ambition.
Those not relenting are those who are in Okorocha’s camp who have been rattled by the stunning open endorsement of Chief of Staff, Uche Nwosu for 2019 Imo guber by the governor. The Deputy Governor’s camp is said to be unfazed about the development as Madumere may not have capitulated. Some top government officials were accused of making moves to impeach him, an allegation that has been summarily denied by those who were accused of the plot.
The Madumere camp had before Nwosu’s endorsement arranged a rally on the streets of Owerri which drummed support for the Deputy Governor’s aspiration.
A source had told this newspaper that it was Madumere’s rally that got some close associates and family members of the Governor sympathetic to Uche Nwosu angry which in turn made Okorocha to decide to put a stop to the raging power tussle within his camp by announcing his support for his son in law.
However, there has been no official reaction from the office of the Deputy Governor on the next political move of Prince Madumere after Uche Nwosu was endorsed by Okorocha.
However, another aspirant and in law to Okorocha, Chuks Lolo is also alleged to pulling all the breaks to get his ambition on the front burner. A local tabloid had speculated that Ololo is still in contention for the guber contest within the Rescue mission camp.
The Jude Ejiogu camp however appears unfazed with the ongoing development as indications emerged that the former SGI is also pushing on with his guber bid. Ejiogu, before Nwosu’s endorsement by Okorocha on Monday had refuted claims that he had endorsed the Chief of Staff for the governorship saying he never endorsed anyone.
“I have never endorsed anybody for any positions but myself. I know what I have in my heart for my people and I know God is in full endorsement of it and as such, there is no going back” he said on his verified facebook account.
Some political pundits argue that Okorocha has not penciled down anyone as his successor but rather declared his support for one of his loyalists whom he feels could be a worthy successor.
” The Governor’s comment was misconstrued. He only said he will support Uche Nwosu for the governorship and not that he has declared him his automatic successor. The game is still an open one” said Chuks Anyanwu, a political analyst.