Imo 2019: Three Governorship Aspirants Emerge From Rochas Camp

*BY IFEANY OHIRI*

Despite his backing for his former Chief of Staff, Uche Nwosu for the governorship, two members of Governor Rochas Okorocha’s political camp have also indicated interest in the contest.

It was unverified if this development is an indication of a rupture in the well knit camp of the Governor

Nwosu however remains the most favoured for the number one top job as Okorocha has continued to drum support for his governorship ambition.

Sir George Eche, the immediate past Secretary to the Government of Imo State has formally joined the contest but seem to be running without the Governor’s backing.

Eche was eying the Aboh Mbaise/Ngore Okpala House of Reps seat until he lost his endorsement to Blyden Amajirionwu who was endorsed by the Governor for the seat. Nwosu and Eche and 11 others seeking election into public officers were on Thursday relieved of their appointment.

Eche’s ambition was also disowned by the Governor who said he is not aware of his former SGI’s interest in the governorship contest.

Okorocha’s Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemedo had said in a statement about Eche’s perceived ambition

“The Secretary to the State Government Mr. George Eche was quoted to have claimed that the governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has asked him to Contest the 2019 governorship election. And for this claim, the governor has been inundated with calls over the authenticity or otherwise of this claim by Mr. Eche.

“To say the least, the claim is totally false. It is not true. The governor never told Mr. Eche to go for the 2019 governorship either directly or through a proxy. In other words, the governor is not aware of Mr. Eche’s governorship aspiration.

“And if Mr. Eche is actually contesting the governorship, he is doing so as an Imo man or as a Nigerian exercising his constitutional right and that has nothing to do with the governor.

“Before now, what Mr. Eche had told the governor he was going to Contest is the House of Representatives for Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency, and if he has changed his mind for another position, the governor does not know.

Eche however made real his intentions when pictures surfaced on the social media where he displayed his APC Nomination And Expression of Interest Forms signalling his intention to contest.

Another close family member, Engr. Chuks Ololo is also in the race for the governorship race on the APC platform. Ololo is the hubby of Ogechi, Okorocha’s sister and Commissioner of Happiness and Couples Fulfillment.

Engr.Ololo is known not to have the Governor’s backing.

Unperturbed he went ahead the buy the APC Nomination and Expression of Interest Form of the APC for the governorship at party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

To show his seriousness, he arrived the Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport where he was cheered on his supporters and has gone ahead with his ambition feuled by his political structure called Omenneji