Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere is said to have come under intense pressure to forgo his governorship ambition having lost out in the scramble to get the nod of the his boss, Governor Rochas Okorocha in the latter’s succession plan.
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Okorocha had announced his support for Uche Nwosu, his Chief of Staff for the governorship in what appears his veiled preference for his son in law to take over from him in 2019. That pronouncement placed Nwosu in a vintage position over Madumere in the battle for succession in Okorocha’s camp
But top sources close to the number two citizen of the State wondered where the pressure is coming from since the Deputy Governor has been out of the State for more than a week.
“Which pressure. The Deputy Governor is out of the State for more than a week.So where is the pressure coming. This is mere speculation” a top close source close to the Deputy Governor told this newspaper
It was gathered that the Deputy Governor will soon make a public statement on his next line of action- either to continue with his aspiration or announce his support for the Governor’s choice.
A source said ” He has to come out to say something. He has not even declared for the governorship. You know he is not the reactionary type having been cool headed, loyal and humble to Okorocha for more than 20 years. Eze will not like to be seen as one that wants to rock Rescue mission boat. He has also been a huge beneficiary of this government from Chief of Staff to Deputy Governor”
A local tabloid had reported last week that Governor Okorocha intends to summon a peace meeting between the Chief of Staff and the Deputy Governor after supporters of the duo engaged in a violent clash at Nwaorieubi in Mbaitoli Local Government Area. It was uncertain of the meeting ever took place.