BY: RALPH EJIMKONYE
After a dismal performance in the general election Imo State, the national leadership of the All Progressive Congress APC, is said to have listed conditions for whoever will make President Muhammadu Buhari’s next cabinet from some States.
This newspaper gathered that part of the rebuilding process in non APC States where there are no State Governors and Senators is to appoint Ministers who can revive the party.
The APC in Imo State was in shambles prior to the general elections with two factions led by Governor Rochas Okorocha and the party’s governorship candidate, Senator Hope Uzodinma.
This led the party to loose the presidential, governorship, Senatorial, House of Reps and State Assembly election to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
At the moment, the party has no single member in the State House of Assembly and no Senator.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had withheld Okorocha’s Certificate of Return on the grounds that he was declared winner of Imo West Senatorial seat under duress. The matter is in court.
A top party source said ” We know the President has the final say on who becomes a Minister in his cabinet, but we are looking at ways of reviving the party in the States especially States where we have no State Governor, Members of National Assembly and State Assembly.
” The highest public officer who can also double as a political leader in that State is a Minister who can help the party stabilize in those States.
“In Rivers State, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi is the figure head of the APC in the State.
In Imo State, there are indications that some chieftains of the All Progressive Congress, APC have already shifted attention to seeking ministerial appointment in the next cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Buhari is expected to announce a new cabinet after May 29, 2019.By Federal Character principle, each State of the federation is to produce a Minister.
In 2015, Governor Rochas Okorocha had nominated his in law, and the current Minister of State for Education, Anthony Anwuka.
The Governor is having a face off with Comrade Adams Oshiomole who led the National Working Committee, NWC to suspend Okorocha from the party on alleged anti party activities.
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