Six top chieftains of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in Imo State are in hot race to secure a ministerial appointment in President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.
How their ambition becomes a reality may be herculean task following the disposition of the President in appointing his new cabinet members.
The President was reported to have kept the appointment of new Ministers to his chest shutting out influence from party chieftains and his close associates.
This newspaper had reported last week that some intending ministers from Imo had besieged the party leadership particularly the National Chairman, Adams Oshiomole in Abuja hoping for his support.
However, with sufficient green-light not coming from the party, the ministerial appointment seekers APC in the State have relocated to Abuja where they have resorted to intense lobbying.
A source revealed that most of those eying Ministerial appointment are from the APC Coalition who took on Governor Rochas Okorocha in a fierce battle for the soul of Imo APC.
Mr. TOE Ekechi, a top chieftain of the Imo APC Coalition was recently appointed Board member of North East Development Commission.
It was not ascertained whom amongst them is having the upper hand in securing the appointment; as the President seems to be fully in charge in selection of new Ministers that will enable him achieve his next level agenda.
The source said “Nothing can be guaranteed. No fewer than six top chieftains in Imo APC are scrambling for the sole slot for Imo State in the new look Federal Executive Council, FEC.
“They had relied on the party leadership but the disposition of the Presidency shows that the President has the final say.
“Though there is need to appoint Ministers with the political leverage to revive the party in States such as Imo where the party is practically dead, the final say does not rest with the party. It is beyond the party.
“Do not forget that we have a sitting Governor in Imo and his input cannot be ignored”
Prof Anthony Anwuka, current Minister of State, Education is an in law of Governor Rochas Okorocha.
The APC was roundly defeated in Imo State in the last general elections losing the governorship and failed to produce a single member of the next Imo State House of Assembly.
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