*BY RALPH EJIMKONYE*
In the past one week, the political landscape in Imo State was dominated by Primaries of several political parties.
Of the 91 political parties in Nigeria, about five can be considered contenders and active players in the Imo political firmament.
In some parties, there were less rancour but in some cases there was big drama. In some cases, less fancied aspirants emerged as candidates.
In the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the State, it’s primaries from the House of Assembly to the governorship was largely adjudged free, fair and credible.
The most interesting was the governorship primary where there was indeed a contest.
One of the biggest losers was Senator Samuel Anyanwu who lost the party’s ticket to Hon.Emeka Ihedioha. Anyanwu is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges, one of the most powerful committees in the Red Chamber.
Another aspirant whose loss was considered heavy and unexpected was the much fancied former Secretary to Imo State Government, Barr.Chris Okewulonu. He lost the senate ticket for Okigwe zone to Patrick Ndubueze.
In the APC , the fierce battle was the governorship primary which was indeed quite dramatic. The first exercise was indeed an interesting episode which led to the emergence of two governorship candidates, Senator Hope Uzodinma and Chief Uche Nwosu.
The National Working Committee, NWC later cancelled the primary on the grounds that the Election committee chairman, Ahmed Gulak eloped to Abuja without fulfilling his assignment in Imo State
The repeat guber primary produced Uche Nwosu, a former Chief of Staff to Governor Rochas Okorocha as the governorship candidate leaving other aspirants such as Imo State Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere and others in the cold.
In the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA in Imo State, the biggest winner is Senator Ifeanyi Araraume who clinched the party’s guber ticke in controversial circumstances.
The trail of aggrieved aspirants include some of the finest brand of politicians in the State namely Former Governor Ikedi Ohakim, Hon. Uche Onyeagocha, Chief Okey Ezeh and many others who lost out in the power play in the party.
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