Mode Of Primaries: Imo APC Guber Aspirants In Dilemma

*BY RALPH EJIMKONYE*

*Dynamics In Imo APC May Favour Uche Nwosu As Guber Candidate*

Some governorship aspirants in Imo State chapter of the All Progressive Congress, APC may be in dilemma over the Indirect mode of primaries adopted for the conduct of the party primaries in the State.

A source close to some of the aspirants said they may go for parallel primaries. There was no independent verification of this claim as at the time of filing this report.

Some of the governorship aspirants had opposed the Indirect primaries mode selected by the State Working Committee of the party led by Mr.Daniel Nwafor.

Nwafor and co are loyal to Governor Rochas Okorocha and have the ears of the National Working Committee led by Comrade Adams Oshiomole.

Some of the governorship aspirants namely the embattled Imo State Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, Senator Hope Uzodinma, Mr.Chima Anozie and others had last week opposed the use of Indirect Primaries and rather suggested a Direct Primary exercise.

The disposition of other governorship hopefuls such as two former Secretaries to the Government of Imo State, Sir Jude Ejiogu and George Eche are unknown.

It has been a tense situation in Imo APC since the mode of primaries was adopted by the Nwafor led State Working Committee. The Party Chairman was quoted to have said that the party leadership in Abuja has been communicated on the use of Indirect Primaries for party primaries in Imo State.

A top party member had told this newspaper on condition of anonymity at the weekend that the SWC of Imo APC is in order on the grounds that the each state chapter of the party is free to hold any mode of primaries that is suitable to it as suggested by the NWC

“Those aspirants opposed to the mode of primaries are on their own because as it stands now, the Nwafor led Exco is the authentic party leadership in Imo APC accepted and recognized by the National Working Committee of the party

“Whatever they say or recommend is the position of the party in Imo State. Those going for any parallel primaries are putting their ambition on risk because holding a parallel primaries is not the issue. The issue at stake is if the NWC will accept such parallel primary outside that conducted by the State Working Committee

” Such primaries will not be recognized by the party leadership. It is better they accept the position of the State Working Committee which has adopted Indirect Primaries and seem to have gotten the go-ahead of the NWC”he said

This newspaper observed that based on ongoing development in Imo APC, Chief Uche Nwosu who is Governor Rochas Okorocha’s former Chief of Staff looks good to win the primaries in the party if the party proceed with Indirect primaries.

Nwosu who is Okorocha’s preferred choice as successor is in firm control of the delegates.

He was quoted to have said that as a law abiding party member the decision of the party is supreme and he is bound to respect it.