Imo APC Primaries: Consensus Candidate Option Crumbles

Ahead of Monday’s governorship primaries in the All Progressive Congress, APC in Imo State, this newspaper has stumbled on how efforts to produce a consensus candidate among the governorship aspirants from Owerri zone failed.

The aspirants were said to have muted the idea in a bid to stop Uche Nwosu, another governorship aspirant and Governor Rochas Okorocha preferred choice for the party ticket.

Most of the aspirants met on Saturday where the issue was extensively discussed but nothing concrete came out of the plan.

Imo State Deputy Governor and a governorship aspirant, Prince Eze Madumere ostensibly reacting to rumours that emanated from the meeting made it clear that he has not stepped out of the race for anyone.

A statement signed by Chris Nwadike, Admin Secretary, Project Madumere 2019, called on Imolites to disregard the rumour that he(Madumere) has stepped down for any governorship aspirant.

Part of the statement reads “We call on Imolites and the general public to disregard such rumour as Prince Madumere, the most experienced aspirant, never stepped down for anybody.

“However, we wish to state categorically that talks are still ongoing to resolve some grey areas with a view to organizing and unifying Owerri zone towards winning the 2019 Governorship election.

“Prince Eze Madumere as the apex leader of Owerri zone remains focused in his determination to continue to give quality leadership, especially in the area of ensuring that justice, equity and fair play are enthroned in the polity.

Sources told this newspaper that the meeting was convened by some APC leaders in Owerri zone who seem to be worried on the number of governorship aspirants from the zone.

Of the nine aspirants eying the APC governorship ticket, seven of them are from Orlu Zone. They are Prince Eze Madumere, Chima Anozie, Sir Jude Ejiogu, Sir George Eche, Commodore Peter Gbujie, Chris Nlemoha and Chuks Ololo.

Two aspirants are from Orlu zone namely Senator Hope Uzodinma and Chief Uche Nwosu.

There was concern that if it will be politically disastrous if Owerri zone go into the party primary with seven aspirants against two aspirants from Orlu zone.

Efforts to persuade the aspirants to step down for each other was said not to have been successful.