BY CONSTANCE EKE, RAYMOND EJIMKONYE
The need to be a step ahead, against political enemies in the chess game for the soul of the All Progressive Congress, APC in Imo State were among other factors, which prompted Governor Hope Uzodinma’s resolve, to reach out and close ranks with other key stakeholders and support groups which exists in the party.
On Sunday, the Imo APC Stakeholders led by former Deputy Governor,Prince Eze Madumere, passed a vote of confidence on Governor Hope Uzodinma .
Also those who got confidence vote from the group include Minister of State for Education, Hon. Emeka Nwajiuba, and Director General, NEPAD, Gloria Akobundu.The stakeholders also gave thumps up to Marcellinus Nlemigbo led caretaker committee of the APC.
Madumere and co had been in political abeyance since Uzodinma cruised to power via the Supreme Court judgement which removed Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as Governor. It was observed that Uzodinma’s political understanding with Minister Nwajiuba, and lately Madumere, and members of Imo APC stakeholders, may be part of series of plans to integrate and re- integrate both old and new political allies in his administration.
Last month, the Governor, as part of measures to boost his support base within the party and outside his political family, CAMP HOPE, hosted stakeholders from the party in the South East, who also praised his efforts, and assured him of continuous support.
The deal between the Governor and his new found allies will certainly enable Uzodinma to have firmer grip of the soul of Imo APC. Analysts further contend that the Uzodinma, Nwajiuba, Madumere combination in Imo APC is a perfect brick-wall to wade off any opposition within the party in the State.
The Governor is believed to be up against subtle opposition from the camp of former Governor Rochas Okorocha who is backing the Daniel Madueke led faction in the party, which has consistently claimed to be the authentic State executive of the party. Uzodinma is known to be behind the Nlemigbo led State Caretaker committee.
Mr. Jones Onwusoanya, who is the Publicity Secretary of the Madueke faction of Imo APC and a known loyalist of Okorocha and Uche Nwosu, in a statement on Sunday, lambasted Eze Madumere for leading those who passed vote of confidence on Governor Uzodinma.
Mr Jones wrote “ The claim by members of this group to being ‘stakeholders’ of the Party at any level is questionable, as none of them was able to deliver their booths to the Party in all the elections in 2019.
“We challenge, especially, the spokesman of this group, Prince Eze Madumere, to publish his booth results for all the elections conducted in 2019, for a more informed scrutiny of his claim to being a stakeholder of the Party.
Madumere’s Media Adviser, Uche Onwuchekwa, in a statement fired back at Mr. Jones and his paymasters.
“The latest vituperation against Prince Eze Madumere who demystified them and put a stop to building a family dynasty is well understood” Onwuchekwa wrote
He continued “While we consider the latest outpouring of hemlock in the name of statement as a distraction, we shall put the records straight, bearing in mind that I am neither the Governor’s spokesman nor Imo All Progressives Congress Publicity Secretary.
“Prince Ezeaknonobi Madumere does not live in denial and this has remained one of his strongest political values and not even the Prince of gang of political vampires can change that strength of character.
“Madumere has never denied congratulating Emeka Ihedioha after his declaration as the governor of Imo State. In the spirit of statesmanship, he could not have done otherwise.
“When His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma after fighting through the court was declared the winner of 2019 governorship election, Prince Eze Madumere as a party man rejoiced and also warmly congratulated the Governor.
“How about those who visibly campaigned for the Action Alliance, fought every APC agent, called Senator Hope Uzodinma all manner of names and yet shamelessly ran to embrace him with a view to harm him.
“Today, the truth is out there in the market square on how a failed dynasty raped the state aground; how people’s hard earned resources, including land and buildings were forcefully converted to family property” Onwuchekw wrote.
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