The All Progressive Congress, APC Primary for Okigwe Senate bye election, indeed provided a platform for four prominent political gladiators in the party to test who indeed posses the soul of Imo APC.
Two candidates emerged from the exercise which underscores the depth of political skirmishes in the ruling party in Imo State.
Frank Ibezim, an associate of Minister of State of Education, Emeka Nwajiuba and Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, emerged the party candidates.
But Ibezim seems to be the authentic flag-bearer of the party, judging the posture of the national caretaker committee of the APC, which had two days to the Primary, said it recognized the Marcel Nlemigbo led caretaker Committee, as the authentic leadership of the party in the State.
Ibezim is backed by Governor Hope Uzodinma who is also behind the Marcel Nlemigbo led State Caretaker Committee.
Senator Araraume is in alliance with former Governor of the State, Senator Rochas Okorocha who is strongly behind the Daniel Nwafor faction of the APC in the State.
Before now, Uzodinma, Okorocha and Araraume, who had celebrated the Supreme Court verdict which removed Emeka Ihedioha of the PDP as Governor, suddenly became political cat and mouse.
The party’s Primary for Okigwe senate bye election provided the battleground for the trio to flex political muscles, and perhaps determine who truly holds the ace in the APC in Imo.
Governor Uzodinma’s alignment with Emeka Nwajiuba, a known ally of President Muhammadu Buhari, gave the Governor the political edge over Okorocha and co, as regards the APC ticket for Okigwe senate. The backing of the National Caretaker Committee led by Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, was the icing on the cake.
Though Senator Araraume continues to push on as the party’s candidate for Okigwe senate bye election, the pendulum of victory is swinging in Ibezim’s favour.
Senator Bisuriu led Primary Election Committee declared Ibezim winner, and the national leadership of the party has stated that it will only recognize results of the primary turned in by Senator Bisuriu.
Announcing the results of the Primary at the Okigwe Local Government Council, Senator Bisuriu said Ibezim polled 13,637 votes to emerge winner over Ararume who polled 2,708.
In another parallel primary election, Umar Nguma, who chaired the Primary Election Committee returned Senator Araraume as winner.
According to him, Araraume scored the highest votes of 22,944 votes while Chidinma Uwajumogu came a distant second with 3,757 votes.
Nguma also announced votes scored by other aspirants to include: Mark Uchendu, 1,877; Frank Ibezim, 1,216 and Athan Achonu, 934 votes.
Others are: Matthew Omegara, 698; Acho Ihim, 212; Bright Nwachukwu, 126; Eze Okoro, 53 and Uchenna Uchewuba, 51 votes.
As its stands, it seems Uzodinma/Nwajiuba alliance is paying off as the duo seems hold the ace in the party in Imo State for now.
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