The governorship ambition of Governor Rochas Okorocha son in law and Chief of Staff, Uche Nwosu has received the backing of 20 of the 27 members of the Imo State House of Assembly just as speculations swelled last night that the endorsement was driven by the desire of the lawmakers to earn second term tickets.
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Speaking to newsmen in Owerri on the endorsement, the member representing Oguta State Constituency, Hon. Henry Ezediaro said the Speaker and his Deputy were part of the lawmakers that also endorsed Nwosu’s governorship ambition.
According to him those that endorsed the Chief of Staff are: Ugonna Ozuruigbo representing (Nwangele), Lugard Osuji, former Majority leader (Owerri Municipal) Chukwuemeka Loyd (Owerri North) Ikenna Nzerue(Oru east) Innocent Egwim(Ideato North) Obinna Egu (Ngor Okpala) Ngozi Obiefula(Isu) and Uju Onwudiwe (Njaba).
Others are Victor Onyewuchi (Owerri west) Uche Agabiga(Orsu) Emma Orie(Ohaji/Egbema) Ikechukwu Amuka (Ideato south) Henry Ezediaro(Oguta) Lawman Duruji (Ehime Mbano) and Marcel Odunze (Orlu)
He said the lawmakers made their endorsement known after a meeting with the Speaker.
“All the lawmakers involved have earlier led their constituents before Governor Rochas Okorocha at Government House to endorse Nwosu” he said
On the reason for their support to Nwosu, Ezediaro said “Uche Nwosu was the pioneer candidate of APC in 2014, the party endorsed him to run for governor, he has not changed since then. When Governor Okorocha came back after he ran for President, APC leaders came together to say let’s give the ticket to Okorocha , the young man was loyal and said OK, what the young man did, son in-law or no son in-law , he would have said no ,at worst Okorocha will take back his daughter, what if he divorce his wife tomorrow, will that now qualify him to run for election? .
Ostensibly advocating the “Agburu Anyi” mantra ( a political phrase to define those that belong to Okorocha’s camp in the APC), Ezediaro who is the Director General, Ugwumba Movement Worldwide said Nwosu is the only one that will preserve the legacies of Governor Rochas Okorocha.
He said the lawmakers before endorsing the governorship ambition of the Chief of Staff had briefed their constituents on their decision earlier, expressing hope that the remaining seven lawmakers who are yet to endorse the Chief of Staff will do so very soon.
Before now, 24 of 27 local government chapters of the All Progressive Congress, APC in Imo State had endorsed Uche Nwosu for the governorship. This was opposed by a group in the party, Imo Restoration Group led by TOE Ekechi who faulted the endorsement saying it is unknown to the party constitution.