*I Have Not Joined PDP- Onyeagocha*
*We Are Consulting- Ohakim’s Aide
*New APGA In The Offing
*Aspirants Hold Crucial Meeting With Delegates Oct 11
?BY RALPH EJIMKONYE*
Following the controversy that trailed the outcome of the governorship primary in the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA in Imo State, aggrieved aspirants who lost out in the vicious power play that rocked APGA governorship primary have thrown many options for them.
While a report said the aspirants may leave APGA enmasse for a “New APGA”, concerns were raised on the workability of such idea since registering such a party with such a name with the Independent National Electoral Commission,INEC may be time bad.
Indications that all the aspirants may back another candidate is also cloudy just as one of the aspirants, Hon Uche Onyeagocha has declared his support for the PDP governorship candidate, Hon.Emeka Ihedioha. He however denied reports on the social media that he has not he has quit APGA for the PDP which makes his support for Ihedioha not total.
In a statement signed by Onyeagocha’s media aide, Mac Enwerem, he said “We are aware that the buildup to the rumour is the recent courtesy visit paid on Hon Onyeagucha by the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Hon Emeka Ihedioha . In that visit, Hon Onyeagucha and Hon Emeka Ihedioha only interacted like brothers. There was never a time in the meeting or after the meeting Hon Onyeagucha said he has joined or planning to join PDP”
It was also gathered that the angry aspirants issued an ultimatum to the national leadership of APGA to make a formal pronouncement on its failure to hold its primary and open up on what it termed “kangaroo endorsement” of Senator Ifeanyi Araraume as the party’s flagbearer.
Also, this newspaper stumbled on reports that some of the aspirants will switch their support to other governorship candidates in other political parties.
It was observed that most of the aspirants are reaching out to pro Owerri Zone governorship candidateswho have clinched the governorship ticket in other political parties.
At the moment, Owerri Zone have two governorship candidates, Hon.Emeka Ihedioha and Hon.Tony Nwulu of the PDP and UPP respectively.
The two candidates have become the beautiful bride in aftermath of the chaotic situation that rocked the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA governorship primary.
Former Governor Ikedi Ohakim who was rumoured to have dumped APGA for Accord Party may have shelved his move ostensibly weighing other political options to join another platform or back another governorship candidate in another party.
Ohakim had consistently echoed that if elected Imo State Governor for a second time, he is bound to govern for a single tenure and hand over to Owerri zone.
His Chief Press Secretary, Mr.Collins Ughalla had told this newspaper that consultations by his boss are ongoing, stating that the task of reconstructing Imo State will not be abandoned by the former Governor.
The Okey Ezeh camp has been calm since Araraume was proclaimed winner of the guber primary. A source in his camp said “consultations are ongoing”
This is coming on the heels of underground moves by the APGA Leadership loyal to Senator Ararume to appease the aggrieved aspirants who now constitute the “power bloc” in Imo APGA.
APGA’ s popularity has dwindled considerably since the controversial manner it held its primary but a top APGA chieftain who spoke on condition of anonymity said all hope is not lost.
This newspaper could not verify the authenticity of reports that claimed that peace moves will be initiated to calm the frayed nerves of the angry aspirants and work for the party ahead of the 2019 elections.
ASPIRANTS TO MEET PARTY DELEGATES.
Despite the permutations, all the governorship aspirants are meeting at the Aladinma Shopping Mall tommorow, Thursday, October 11, 2018.
A statement by the aspirants reads:
“All aspirants of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) at both the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate and Governorship levels in Imo State are hereby invited to a very crucial meeting at The Aladinma Mall tomorrow by 11am prompt.
“Please attend with your followers including all members of the Party who purchased the delegates’ forms for all levels of the botched Primary Elections.
Attendance is mandatory.
Conveners,
GUBER ASPIRANTS
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