*BY RALPH EJIMKONYE*
Sunday, September 30, 2018 will be a decisive day for governorship aspirants in two major political parties in Imo State- the governing All Progressive Congress, APC and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The PDP in a hot chase for the seat of power of the State will assemble its delegates to elect a governorship candidate. The Primaries is expected to take place the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.
Reports said aspirants in the party are gearing up for the d- day having intensified consultations with key stakeholders and would be delegates who will decide who flies the party’s flag at the governorship polls.
There are two frontliners in the contest namely a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Emeka Ihedioha and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, senator representing Owerri zone. Both aspirants have not relented in their determination to outpace the other and win the exalted ticket.
This newspaper was informed that the camps of other aspirants are also not resting on their oars to get victory. other governorship hopefuls in the race include Senator Athan Achonu, Prof Jude Njoku and Chukuma Ekomaru (SAN)
The PDP is using its traditional Delegate system (Electoral College) to elect its candidates. Unconfirmed reports reaching this newspaper indicate that the list of delegates elected at the 3 man ad hoc delegates election has been approved by the National Working Committee of the party.
*APC*
The All Progressive Congress, APC in Imo State is also holding its much talked about governorship primaries on Sunday, 29th September, 2018- same day with that of the PDP.
Basking on the euphoria of its successful Presidential Direct Primaries held across the 305 wards in the State, nine governorship aspirants in Imo APC are good to go to take part in the exercise.
The contestants cleared by the National Working Committee, NWC include Senator Hope Uzodinma, Imo State Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere and Former Chief of Staff to Governor Rochas Okorocha, Uche Nwosu.
Others are former Secretaries to Government of Imo State, Sir Jude Ejiogu and George Eche. Air Commodore Peter Gbujie, Celestine Chuks Ololo and Chris Emenike Nlemoha are also in the contest.
The APC in Imo State is going for Direct Primaries after the Indirect Mode recommended by the State Working Committee, SWC was surprisingly turned down 48 hours to the D- day.
Reports surfaced on the social media on Friday night that aspirants in Owerri zone pushed for a consensus candidate. There was no independent verification of these claims as at the time of filing this report.
The Direct Mode of primaries for the governorship ticket throws the contest wide open as the winner will be determined by the capacity of any of the aspirants to get registered party members queue in their support.
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