BY: RALPH EJIMKONYE, POLITICAL EDITOR
Relevant power blocs within the confines of the All Progressive Congress, APC are striving for positions and appointments since Senator Hope Uzodinma was enthroned as Imo State Governor on January 20, 2020.
This newspaper gathered that since Uzodinma was sworn in as Governor, which led to unity and reconciliation among erthswhile political foes in the party, such as Senator Rochas Okorocha, Uche Nwosu and Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, there has been intense and fierce jostle for appointments in Uzodinma’s administration pushed by various groups and power blocs within the APC in the State.
Governor Uzodinma had constituted a kitchen cabinet, appointing his core loyalists as Secretary to State Government, Chief Of Staff, Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice.
More than five blocs exist in Imo APC all with an eye on securing positions in the present administration.
They are Camp Hope, the political machinery of Governor Uzodinma, The Rescue Mission group propelled by Okorocha/Uche Nwosu, the Imo APC Coalition led by TOE Ekechi and Kingsley Onunuju. With Senator Araraume’s support for Uzodinma, his Destiny Organization political structure, have also switched allegiance to the Governor and are expectant appointments.
It was unclear if the political structure of Minister of State, Education, Hon Emeka Nwajiuba, is also angling for the spoils of power. Nwajiuba was visible during the swearing in of Uzodinma as Governor. A source close to him revealed to this newspaper that he is fully in support of the present government.
Analysts had expected that the Governor would have appointed some chieftains of these power blocs as Chairmen and members of Transition Committees in the 27 local governments of the State. Rather he vowed to hold Council elections, directing Directors of General Services and Administration, DAGS in the Councils to take charge.
Local Government Chairmen elected during the reign of Governor Rochas Okorocha but suspended by former Governor Emeka Ihedioha, had scrambled to retake their positions when Uzodinma emerged as Governor.
A source in the know of undercurrents in the party viz a viz the scramble for appointments said “ it is normal for power blocs within the ruling party to angle for the spoils of power. There is nothing wrong with it
” But it is a delicate matter that has been handled with utmost care and caution. we are one big political family. We believe in the abilities of the Governor. He is an astute politician and we know he will apply the right mechanism to address this knotty issue.
