Political footsoldiers of Governor Hope Uzodimma, who are enveloped in groups such as Camp Hope, Hope Alive and Imo Hope For Good Governance, have remained at logger heads, despite the directive of the governor recently, that all groups professing his ideals, should come together and strengthen the All Progressive Congress, APC in the State.
Barely a month after the Governor’s directive to various leaders of the groups who came to visit him at Government House, Owerri, there are reports of lack of uniformity among them.
Camp Hope are the main culprit, with allegations that it’s leadership have shunned moves for such unity and synergy with other groups.
With Congresses in the All Progressives Congress, APC kicking off on Saturday, the Camp Hope team are calling the shots, as their leaders in various local governments, were said to have drawn up lists of party officials that would emerge at the ward and local government levels, to the exclusion of other groups.
A source told this newspaper “They (Camp Hope) are not disposed to the proposed unity and harmonization of all the groups working together as a unit for the Governor.
“They are not keen to begin the process of harmony with other groups, rather they were busy single handedly preparing lists of party officials at all levels and doing things separately, despite the governor’s directive that all the groups should channel their loyalty to the party and come together as one.
INNONEWS observed that leaders of other groups have quietly protested over this development and choose to remain calm to avoid being victimized or blackmailed by their rivals.
One of the pillars of the groups, who is a top aide of the governor, is said to have continuously expressed disenchantment over the situation.
There are growing suspicions that the actions of CAMP HOPE, could be emboldened by the Governor, who is yet to puncture the actions of the group, despite several complaints allegedly made to him on the matter by officials of other groups.
“Since over a month the governor gave the directive that all groups should unite, and make the APC more formidable in Imo State, Camp Hope have flouted the order. And they do so continuously, without restraint.
“More worrisome is the fact, that the governor has continued to keep quite,while his directives are completely flouted and disregarded” said a leader of one of the aggrieved groups who spoke on condition of anonymity.
He continued “There are suspicions that governor could be giving them a subtle backing, because we wonder why Camp Hope members are disregarding his directives. This is dangerous. It makes other group members vulnerable for poaching by the opposition.
Before now, Camp Hope has been alleged to practice the policy of segregation, as they find it difficult to acomodate those who were not part of Uzodinma’s journey to Imo governorship.