By: RALPH EJIMKONYE
Details has surfaced on the deal between Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma and former Governor Rochas Okorocha.
The deal was said to have been consummated before the Supreme Court had sacked Emeka Ihedioha of the PDP as Governor of Imo State on January 14.
Okorocha had at an APC rally prior to the Okigwe North Re run polls called on Uzodinma to acomodate his “boys” in his administration.
Part of the deal, this newspaper learnt, is appointment of some Okorocha’s men into positions by Uzodinma and most importantly, reinstate the 27 local government chairmen and councillors elected during Okorocha’s reign.
It was unclear if there were witnesses to the arrangement, but a reliable source told this newsaper in Abuja that the leadership of the APC in Abuja had come into the scenario to reinforce the understanding between the duo before the Supreme Court reaffirmed Uzodinma as Governor of the State on Tuesday.
Top level sources claimed that Okorocha had forwarded some names to Uzodinma for consideration for appointments, but none of them made the cut when Uzodinma appointed ten special Advisers last week.
Some Okorocha’s men raised eyebrows over their non inclusion in the list,but remained hopeful that the commissioners list of the Governor will acomodate some of the ex Governor loyalists based on “understanding”
Okorocha was alleged to have complained to some top shots of the APC in Abuja who in turn advised Uzodinma to consider bringing back local government chairmen and councillors elected who were sacked by Ihedioha.
This newspaper could not verify what was Uzodinma’s response to the plea of the party leadership.
Uzodinma and Okorocha had become political allies after the duo fought a bitter war, particularly the governorship ticket of the All Progressive Congress, APC in Imo State last year.
Newspaper reports however claim that a rift may be in the offing if Uzodinma’s list does not acomodate Okorocha’s men and ” other layers of interest”within the fold of the APC in the State.
Also, the disbandment of several panels of inquiries constituted by Ihedioha mainly targeted at probing Okorocha’s eight years in office, was said to have featured prominently on the list of demands of the ex Governor.
Uzodinma has retained the committees
A source who is privy to the undercurrents said the appointment of Commissioners will shape or re shape the relationship between the duo.
