The battle for the soul of the All Progressive Congress, APC in Imo State appears to be tilting for now in favour of “opposition forces” in the State chapter of the party.
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Governor Rochas Okorocha is up in battle against some political forces in Imo APC who are strongly kicking against his plans to install his son in law and Chief of Staff, Uche Nwosu as his successor.
This newspaper had reported this week that Governor Okorocha, a serial governorship aspirant, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume and APC National Organizing Secretary, Osita Izunaso are battling for the soul of the APC in Imo State. Controlling the party structure is one step close to grabbing the governorship ticket of the party.
The 24 State Governors elected on the APC platform led by Governor Rochas Okorocha had hoped for a total sweep of party executives but such game plan did not work out as President Muhammadu Buhari announced that members of the National Working Committee and party executives at all levels will remain on office and those who want to seek re- election to party positions must apply for a waiver before taking part in congresses and national convention.
This indeed has set the stage for a level playing ground for all stakeholders in the party and may have dashed the hopes of APC State Governors to fully take control of the party in their respective States.
Since then, it has been a ding dong affair for major stakeholders in Imo APC. With the appointment of Senator Benjamin Uwajumuogu as Secretary of the National Convention and Congress Committee of the party, political pundits say the opposition forces to Okorocha in Imo APC are gaining the upper hand in the fierce battle to take control of the party structure in Imo State.
With Senator Osita Izunaso, another political foe of the Governor as the National Organizing Secretary of the APC, it looks like Okorocha’s political foes are gaining serious grounds.
Senator Benjamin Uwajumuogu is the only APC Senator from the South East and is an unrepentant ally of Senator Ifeanyi Araraume.