The cold war in the Imo State chapter of the All Progressive Congress, APC, is a key factor, which may have led to the ally of Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, a top chieftain of the party, Barr. Emma Nwosu, “stood down” from being confirmed as member representing the South East zone in the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMFAC.
Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had shortlisted Barr. Nwosu and seven others for the Commission.
The Senate screening committee suddenly developed “cold feet” when the name of Araraume’s man, Nwosu popped up. In other words, they refused to screen him, while six others passed the screening exercise.
This raised fears that indeed, Nwosu’s non clearance by the senate screening committee, has to do with the ongoing power play in the state chapter of the APC, where three power blocs hold sway- the Camp Hope, the political structure of Governor Hope Uzodinma, the Rescue Mission group loyal to former Governor Rochas Okorocha and the Destiny group controlled by Senator Araraume.
Uzodinma, Okorocha, Araraume, were in alliance, after the Supreme Court enthroned Uzodinma as Governor of Imo State, after removing Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
But things have gone awry between the trio after Uzodinma’s inauguration as Governor on January 15, 2020.This development may have affected Mr. Nwosu’s non screening by the senate committee for the RFMAC job.
It was gathered that tons of petitions from Okorocha and Uzodinma political blocs in the party on Nwosu’s nomination by Arararume, may have forced the senate committee to soft pedal on his screening.
It was gathered that those in Uzodinma’s camp contend that since they are in power in the State, all federal appointments for Imo State should come from the Governor and no one else, arguing that Senator Araraume barely returned to the APC from APGA, few months ago.
“This does not happen anywhere, the Governor nominates who gets what at the Federal level. That is the practice in other States. Imo should not be an exception” said an APC chieftain aligned to Camp Hope.
The Okorocha camp may also be in the fray. Recently a faction of the party led by Daniel Nwafor, loyal to the Okorocha group, instituted fresh legal tussle, against the Uzodinma backed caretaker committee in the party led by Marcel Nlemigbo, a clearer indication that all is not well among the three dominant power blocs in the party.
