*BY BEN UGWU*
Despite the unprecedented number of governorship aspirants in the All Progressive Grand Alliance,APGA in Imo State, it has been observed that five aspirants are in serious consideration for the party’s governorship ticket.
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Though all the aspirants are entitled to seek nomination as the party’s governorship candidate during primaries, the possibility of narrowing down the number of aspirants may have been foreclosed in order to avoid an implosion in the party after the governorship primaries.
Of the multitude of governorship aspirants in the party, this newspaper investigation reveal that only a tiny few have demonstrated a strong desire to push on with their ambition by galvanizing support across the State, backing the party in areas of funding and logistics. Those in this category are Chief Okey Ezeh, Hon Uche Onyeagocha, Barr Humphrey Anumudu, Chief Frank Nneji and Senator Bright Nwanne.
Last December, Okey Ezeh donated 27 brand new vehicles to the party.
This was followed up by Hon Uche Onyeagocha who also donated vehicles to the LGA secretaries of the party. Anumudu was reported to have followed suit donating brand new vehicles to the party and assuring all House of Assembly aspirants of purchasing their nomination forms.
Aside support to the party, these aspirants are said to have constituted various structures at all levels and also embarked on consultations across the nooks and crannies of the State.
Okey Ezeh is currently on a tour of the Local Governments which other aspirants are expected to follow suit soonest. It was gathered that despite fears of an implosion after the governorship primaries, those who suggest that the number of governorship aspirants be trimmed down may have lost out as the party leadership in the State is said to be keen on allowing all the aspirants to participate in the primaries.
An official of the party was quoted to have said that APGA is looking forward to have 100 governorship aspirants. At the moment, the party have more than 20 guber aspirants.
Political analysts say it is so because APGA appears to be highly favoured by the Imo electorate than other political parties in the State.
A top party leader in the State who spoke on condition of anonymity said “There is no basis to cut down the number of aspirants in the party. It is their right and desire. Nobody will be stopped. The party leadership has consistently assured that there will be free, fair and credible governorship primaries in the State. All those eligible to contest will be allowed to take part”