Majority of leaders and stakeholders in Imo APC Coalition also known as Allied Forces may have tipped Senator Ifeanyi Araraume as the consensus governorship candidate of the Coalition.
This newspaper had reported last week that members of the Coalition had met in Abuja where the issue of a consensus candidate for the governorship of the APC in Imo State featured prominently.
The Senator, a key figure in the Coalition was said to have towered above other governorship aspirants for many reasons.
Part of the criteria for the massive support for the Senator was anchored on the grounds of his political clout, his well oiled political structure across the State and his good standing with leaders of the party in the South East and at the national level.
ADVERTISEMENT
A source who spoke to this newspaper on condition of anonymity said Araraume also posses the political nerve and fire power to take on Governor Rochas Okorocha who is bent on installing his son in law and Chief of Staff, Uche Nwosu as the next governor of the State.
“Among all the governorship aspirants in the Coalition, it is very clear that Araraume is the most prepared with a potent political structure, funding and capacity to lead the Coalition for the guber” the source said
A particular governorship aspirant from Owerri zone was said to have pushed for his ambition but was strongly advised to seek for the Reps seat of his Federal Constituency.
The political ordeal of Deputy Governor of the State, Prince Eze Madumere who is facing impeachment threats from the Imo State House of Assembly may have knocked him out of contention for an overwhelming endorsement from the Coalition.
He and other governorship aspirants from Owerri zone in the Coalition were said to have made a strong case on the need for Owerri zone to end years of marginalization and endorsed for the governorship.
Madumere joined the Coalition after losing out in the power struggle in Rochas Okorocha’s camp. Okorocha’s Chief of Staff, Uche Nwosu was considered above him in the selection of a replacement for Governor Okorocha in 2019.
ADVERTISEMENT
It was not confirmed as at press time if other governorship aspirants in the Coalition were bounded by the seeming support and endorsement Araraume seems to be getting from members of the Coalition but a source said it does not stop other aspirants from taking part in the governorship primaries of the All Progressive Congress, APC in the State.
*ADVERTISEMENT*
The Coalition is yet to issue an official statement on the outcome of the meeting but it was observed that the meeting was mutual devoid of rancour and ill feelings.
READ ALSO:
https://innonews.com.ng/2018/03/imo-2019-okorocha-araraume-in-verbal-war/