A continuation of 2019 Imo Guber Series. Part 1 was published on Dec.25, Part 2 on Dec 28. ( See Story Links Embedded In Article)

MBAIKE BLOC

The Mbaike bloc comprises Ikeduru and Mbaitoli LGAs. It is the political fortress of foremost PDP leader, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu. The present Senator representing the zone, Hon Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu is also from this bloc. Anyanwu is known to have grievances on how Ihedioha picked the governorship ticket of the PDP.

However, the PDP governorship candidate may have to depend on the backing of Mbaitoli/Ikeduru House of Representatives candidate, Hon Henry Nwawuba and to an extent, a former Federal lawmaker, Hon. Bethel Amadi and other party leaders.

In all, Iwuanyawu holds the ace. Any of the three candidates- Uzodinma, Araraume, Nwosu that enjoy his backing has a better chance of winning in the bloc.

The political influence of Imo State Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere, a known backer of Senator Uzodinma cannot be under estimated. The bloc produced Uzodinma’s running mate, Placid Njoku and recently Marcellinus Nlemigbo as Chairman, Caretaker Committee of APC in Imo State. This should be Hope Uzodinma’s call but the functional structures of Araraume, Ihedioha and Uche Nwosu cannot be under estimated.

Araraume could rely on the support of APGA candidates for the House of Assembly and House of Representatives including the support of his Director of Contact and Mobilization, Vitalis Ajumbe.

Uche Nwosu may have to depend on Okorocha’s loyalists in the bloc such as Council Chairman, the AA House of Assembly candidate and other political footsoldiers in the Rescue Mission camp of Governor Rochas Okorocha.

VERDICT: Hope Uzodinma Enjoy The Edge, Ihedioha Weakened Because of Rift With Sam Daddy, Araraume, Nwosu coming up.

Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Bloc

This was Ihedioha’s backbone. He won clearly in the area in the 2015 governorship election but opposition to a repeat of such sweeping victory in 2019 looms.

Aboh Mbaise is his political abode where he wields some political influence but the variables in Ezinihitte Mbaise and Ahiazu Mbaise LGAs may change due to the penetration of Senator Araraume who choose his running mate, Steve Nwoga from this bloc and the rising political presence of Okey Emereonye, the APGA House of Representatives candidate.

Two other governorship candidates, Hon. Tony Nwulu of the United Progressive Party, UPP and his Social Democratic Party, SDP counterpart, Okey Ezeh who have raised the bar in their aspiration come from this bloc and have shown an unrelenting desire to march on with their ambition.

Certain political dynamics is playing out in the bloc as the apex socio political group, Ezerezu Mbaise is at the centre of a raging controversy on the aspiration of three sons of Mbaise involved in the governorship race- Ihedioha, Nwulu and Okey Ezeh.

The ambition of Hon. Ralpheal Nnanna Igbokwe, the APC House of Reps candidate for Ezinihitte/Ahiaze Mbaise and Emma Ojinere, the APC Owerri Senatorial candidate provides changing political dynamics in the bloc. The defection of three PDP House of Assembly members to the Action Alliance,AA is a major plus for the AA governorship candidate, Uche Nwosu.

The Ngor Okpala axis is another battle ground with the movement of Okenze Obinna from the APC to Uche Nwosu’s AA and former Council Chairman, Enyinnaya Onuegbu’s backing for Senator Hope Uzodinma. A former Commissioner and Imo APC Coalition chieftain, TOE Ekechi is also another staunch supporter of Senator Uzodinma. There is also George Eche, a former Governorship aspirant in the APC. This bloc is full of uncertain political dynamics


VERDICT: A  Real Battleground for Mbaise guber aspirants, Ihedioha, Nwulu, Okey Ezeh. Araraume making sharp incursions, Uzodinma making fierce entry, Nwosu penetrating so fast.

Okigwe Zone.

Two political blocs exist in Okigwe zone. The zone has two strategic blocs- Okigwe North and Okigwe South. The Zone may have the lowest number of Local Governments in Imo State but have remained a key factor in past governorship elections. The last time it produced a governor for the State was in 2007.

Okigwe South which comprises Ehime Mbano, Obowo and Ihite Uboma Local Governments is a battleground for the top four governorship candidates. Araraume maintains the lead as he has the son of soil factor in his favour and considerable influence in the area with the strong backing of the Okigwe APGA Senatorial candidate.

Araraume had represented Okigwe zone in the senate for eight years and he has retained firm grip of the area through political benevolence that has kept his followers together.

Uche Nwosu is coming so strong in the bloc with the backing of APC structures who moved over to the Action Alliance, AA. He can count on the support of Hon. Chike Okafor, a member of the House of Representatives who has good followership in Okigwe South. He is of the APC but a strong backer of Nwosu for Governor.

The Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly and running mate to Nwosu, Hon. Acho Ihim, is also drumming support for the AA governorship candidate. There is also Prof Nnamdi Obiareri, a former Commissioner of Information in Okorocha’s government, who is expected to support Nwosu.

Former Governor Ikedi Ohakim, though from Okigwe North also retains some good presence and another factor in Okigwe politics that cannot be wished away. The alignment of Senator Benjamin Uwajumuogu who represents Okigwe zone in the senate is also a major factor. He may be in alignment with Araraume., his long time political ally when the latter was in the APC.

Uzodinma is making sharp incursions with the appointment of Cosmos Iwu, younger sibling of Prof Maurice Iwu, a former INEC Chairman as his campaign DG.

Ihedioha is relying on the PDP structure in the area particularly from the Obowo axis where he has the support of his former Campaign Director General, a former Secretary to Imo State Government, Chris Okewulonu and Senator Athan Achonu. Also, the backing of Imo State PDP Chairman and former Chairman of Okigwe Local Government, Charles Ezekwem for Ihedioha is a major plus for the PDP governorship candidate.

Other candidates have visible structures who can do some effective mobilization to boost their chances at the polls.

VERDICT: Araraume’s domain, Uche Nwosu Coming Up So Strong, Ihedioha Maintaining Strong Presence, Uzodinma Making Incursions, Ohakim In Contention.

*END OF PART 3, PART 4 COMING*

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