This is the concluded part of Imo Guber Series conceptualized and written by innonews.com.ng. The links of the first, second and third part of the series are embedded beneath this article
Okigwe North
Okigwe North has a semblance of the political dynamics in Okigwe South.The sub zone has Okigwe South, Isiala Mbano and Onuimo Local Governments. The political tentacles of Araraume are so strong in Okigwe North too.
The same goes for Ihedioha who is reported to have the backing of PDP Okigwe Senatorial candidate, Hon. Patrick Ndubueze and some party leaders. The House of Assembly representatives of the LGAs are also rooting for the AA candidate, Uche Nwosu. Uzodinma can still spring up political surprises as he put in place new structures for the APC in the area.
VERDICT: Araraume Has The Edge, Ihedioha and Uche Nwosu so strong. Uzodinma On The Prowl.
Orlu Zone.
The zone is the deciding factor of the Imo governorship contest. With 12 local governments and an array of political gladiators, certainly the zone is not only a shopping ground for votes but a key zone, a deciding factor in the polls.
The political polemics in this zone is unpredictable with three or more political enclaves. It could not be ascertained if political blocs exists considering the pluralistic nature of the zone.
Aside the political gladiators, there are organic groups and structures, a sort of conclave of opinion moulders and influencers such as Orluzurumee whose play a determinant factor on who wins the governorship contest in Orlu Zone. The group remains influential and a major factor on who wins the zone considering their roles in past governorship elections in Imo State.
Ideato/Orlu/Nwangele Axis
This axis is made up of Ideato North and South Local Governments. This is a core battleground but the votes are up for grabs by Senator Hope Uzodinma who as senator for Orlu zone for eight years retains considerable grip on the axis. He also has the support of Hon. Austine Chukukere, the House of Reps member who left the APC faction of Okorocha for the Coalition group.His support may go for Uzodinma as well.
Governor Rochas Okorocha is from this bloc and with his Senatorial ambition and support for Nwosu, there are indications he will provide a solid support base for his preferred governorship candidate. Araraume and Ihedioha may not have the required political backbone to penetrate this axis but have sprinkle of political foot-soldiers.
Araraume’s biggest ally in the zone, Senator Osita Izunaso, who is the APGA Orlu Senatorial candidate, has far reaching and penetrating tentacles not only in Ideato clan but across Orlu zone.
Ihedioha is not relenting in making a push in the area. He may rely on the PDP formation and structure but how strong it is to make earn him some good presence in the area is yet to deciphered.
His major support may come come from the Orlu axis where he has cornered the backing of former Governor Achike Udenwa and Vincent Udokwu who is his present campaign Director General. The electoral strength of the duo cannot be ascertained but the fierce influence of Okorocha who is backing Nwosu cannot be ignored in this area.
VERDICT: Real battleground. Nwosu May Have The edge, Uzodinma Maintains Solid Presence, Araraume Making In Roads, Ihedioha trail.
Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta Axis
Another swing area,a shopping ground for all the four major governorship candidates in the contest. The domineering influence of a former Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly and House of Representatives member, Hon.Goodluck Opiah cannot be ignored. Opiah is a known supporter of Senator Uzodinma and he retains vast support base in this area.
Ihedioha’s penetration in the area cannot be undervalued having chosen his running mate and grassroots politician, Hon. Gerald Irona from this bloc in addition to the massive endorsement he has garnered from other top PDP chieftains.
Irona was former Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Chairman, a former member of the House of Assembly and one time member of the House of Representatives. Until his nomination as running mate to Ihedioha, he was a national officer of the PDP.
Araraume could be relying on the backing of APGA House of Assembly aspirants and other APGA chieftains in the bloc such as Prince Henry Okafor, a former ally of Governor Rochas Okorocha , APGA House of Representatives candidate and former Managing Director of Imo State Oil Producing Development Commission, ISOPADEC.
This is another stronghold for Uche Nwosu who is banking on the rising presence of Kingsley Uju, another upcoming political leader with large followers mainly the youths.
VERDICT: Uzodinma’s Ground with sharp incursion of Ihedioha, Nwosu and Araraume. Too Close To Call.
Oru West/ Oru East/ Orsu
This is another Uzodinma’s base having come from this area. The senator is like a political colossus in this axis considering his array of supporters and formidable political structure built over the years.
In the Orsu area, Uzodinma’s man, Barr C.O.C Akaolisa has grassroots support and this add up to the support base of the APC governorship candidate.
Ihedioha has some showing in the area if he has the backing of the member of the House of Representatives representing the area, Hon. Jerry Alagbaso.Not much is known about Senator Araraume support base in this axis but the presence of APGA henchmen at the grassroots will certainly count in his favour.
Verdict: Uzodinma’s Ground with son of the soil factor.
Nwangele/Njaba/Nkwerre/Isu.
Another ground of political uncertainty. This could easily pass as PDP stronghold with the solid presence of Hon Jones Onyeriri who is not only the current member of the House of Representatives of the area but PDP candidate for Orlu Senatorial zone.
Other forms of support for Ihedioha are also coming from Chuma Nnaji, a former Majority Leader of the Imo State House of Assembly. His political strength is however in doubt having put up a poor showing for Ihedioha during the 2015 governorship election.
But this is Uche Nwosu major stronghold. He hails from Nkwerre LGA and has huge political tentacles in adjoining Local Governments where he is relying on AA House of Assembly candidates to strengthen his aspiration. Nwosu could also be relying on the huge support base of Deputy Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Ugonna Ozuruigbo and other political stalwarts for the Nwangele axis.
Uzodinma has some backing from his long time ally, former Chairman of Imo PDP, Barr.Nnamdi Anyaehie and other supporters at the local level.
Araraume is making waves too with the backing of an upcoming politician and APGA House of Assembly candidate, Amara Iwuanyanwu, the scion of the Iwanyanwu dynasty in Nwangele area and other frontline stalwarts of APGA who are making in road into the area.
Howeevr, Nwangele is a “shifting” political ground with a mix of political uncertainty.It is a swing area. The political direction of philanthropist and a leader in the area, Johnbosco Ozigbu will determine who wins the LGA. The latter is adjudged a PDP stalwart but his recent romance with APC governorship candidate, Senator Hope Uzodinma may alter the political equation in the area.
VERDICT: Nwosu’s ground but with strong presence of Ihedioha and Uzodinma. Araraume on the trail.
*CONCLUDED*
EDITOR’S NOTE: Reactions To This Piece Are Welcome. Email innoceaser2@yahoo.com or whatss up 08066605375
CONTRIBUTORS: JUSTIN CHINEDU OSUJI, RALPH EJIMKONYE, CHIDI OSUJI
