There is ongoing hi wire political maneuvering which will produce candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, for Okigwe Senate bye election.
Last week, the party in the State had opted for a consensus candidate, a move analysts say, is a ploy by Governor Hope Uzodinma to have “one of his own” as Senator for Okigwe zone to replace Late Senator Benjamin Uwajumuogu.
Uzodinma is said to have courted Minister of State, Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, for a deal close observers described as “scratch my back and I scratch yours”
Nwajiuba is alleged to be pushing Frank Ibezim as candidate of the party for Okigwe senate which Uzodinma may have accepted, in return for Nwajiuba’s resolve to align Uzodinma to some powerful forces close to President Muhammadu Buhari.
Nwajiuba is a known Buhari ally and Uzodinma is said to have aligned with the Minister to remain in the good books of the President.
The death of President Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, and the sudden ouster of Adams Oshiomole, as APC National Chairman, may have weakened Uzodinma’s entrance in power circles after the Supreme Court had declared him Governor.
This development has put Senator Ifeanyi Araraume in a tight corner, as the Isiebu born politician faces a herculean task to go to the Senate.
Araraume is said to have reached out to Governor Uzodinma on his senatorial ambition in Abuja, where the Governor was said to have accused him of being part of those backing a parallel APC structure in the State.
Sources told this newspaper that Araraume was fingered by the Governor as among those working working in cahoots with former Governor of the State, Senator Rochas Okorocha backing the Daniel Nwafor led faction of the APC in the State.
Uzodinma and Okorocha had last week exchanged verbal words in the media confirming fears that indeed the duo are at loggerheads.
The source said “Araraume at the meeting wondered why the Governor has kept him at a distance after he was among those who rode with him (Uzodinma) to his inauguration in Owerri, as Governor of Imo State on January 15, 2020.
This newspaper was informed that since Araraume did not get the green-light from the Governor, he may have relied on his personal moves having secured a waiver from the party’s Caretaker Committee, in Abuja, to jostle for the ticket of the party for Okigwe senate.
Senator Athan Achonu has also been fingered to be making moves towards the Governor for his endorsement. It was unclear if such moves yielded fruit as the consensus option put in place by the Governor seems to be the route that will produce the party’s candidate for Okigwe senate bye election.
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