*BY TONY ABBAH*
Renewed political hostilities in Imo State chapter of the All Progressive Congress, APC is imminent as the national convention of the party and the proposed local Government election draws near.
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Okorocha’s faction of the APC held primaries for Chairmanship aspirants last Saturday and intend to hold another Primaries produce Councillorship candidates tomorrow (Tuesday).
Okorocha in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemedo commended Chris Oguoma-led State Executive of All Progressives Congress, APC in the State for conducting a Peaceful Primary for the Chairmanship aspirants on the platform of the Party for the Local Government election.
The Primaries is however breeding more tension in a party in the State already fragmented by political turbulence. The opposition camp in the party known as the “Allied Forces” or Coalition are opposed to the move on the grounds that the Governor’s faction lack the legitimacy to hold primaries.
Last week, Hilary Eke, inaugurated the Local Government Chairmen elected at the controversial congress just as a top chieftain of the Allied Forces and a former Commissioner in the State, TOE Ekechi raised an alarm at the weekend that his Owerri residence was invaded by burglars who cartered away sensitive documents.
This is coming on the heels there is tension in the party on who should be a delegate from Imo APC to the party’s national convention scheduled to hold on July 23 in Abuja
Governor Rochas Okorocha was reported in the media to have given an update on preparations for the convention saying that some aspirants vying for various elective positions in the party have been disqualified.
Sources said the among those “disqualified” are suspected political adversaries of the Governor who triumphed at the Congresses of the party at the Zonal level. This could not be verified as at press time.
This newspaper was informed that the National Working Committee, NWC is looking into the matter as well as delegates coming for the convention.
On delegates from the State chapter of the party, there is so much uncertainty. The Okorocha faction is banking on statutory delegates to go to the National Convention.
Chris Oguoma, Acting Chairman of the Okorocha backed APC in the State said the party will not field main delegates because there are none.
However, the Coalition group disagree with him insisting that aside statutory delegates, there are main delegates elected at the ward, local government and State congresses which was validated by the National Working Committee of the party.