There is noticeable silence as regards those who intend to vie for the Chairmanship seat of the All Progressive Congress, APC in Imo State.
With local government Congress expected to hold on September 3 and State Congress to follow suit, there seems to be lack of aspirants eying the State Chairmanship of the party, particularly within the camp of Governor Hope Uzodimma.
Though news had filtered in that the State Caretaker Commitee Chairman of the party, Marcel Nlemigbo, may return unopposed via a consensus approach, there are feelers that there is nothing cast on stone to guarantee an automatic return for Nlemigbo.
A source claimed that the next Chairman may come from Orlu Zone.
However, concerns are being expressed why chairmanship aspirants are not openly indicating interest to contest for the State chairmanship of the party.
Barely few weeks to the State Congress, no one within the party has declared interest in the seat, a sharp departure from the past where aspirants showcase to the media their aspirations and give reasons for aspiring to lead the ruling party.
Party sources told INNONEWS that some of the intending aspirants within the camp of Governor, may be looking at his body language because he would have a major say on who becomes the State Chairman of the APC in Imo State.
A source said “The body language of the Governor on who becomes State party Chairman is unclear, and no one wants to jump before you are asked to run. There are few persons who may be interested to be party Chairman, but because the Governor will decide who gets it, it’s no longer a matter for public interest among the aspirants.
“Even the issue of which zone takes the Chairmanship of the party, has been consumed by lack of open interest by aspirants because of the intricate dynamics involved.
The ongoing tug of war between Governor Hope Uzodimma and the camp of former Governor Rochas Okorocha over the soul of the APC, has been also identified, as another reason why those interested in the Chairmanship race are keeping low key.
INNONEWS was informed that the national leadership of the party, is keen on not allowing founding leaders of the party in various States to leave the APC.
Okorocha and his loyalists have been speculated to be eyeing a move to the PDP, a move the Senator and his loyalists have not denied.
A party chieftain who spoke on condition of anonymity said “The APC is concerned on not allowing those who played strategic roles during it’s formation to leave the party. And the President has directed the leadership of the CECPC, to ensure none of the party leaders leave the party for no tangible reason”
The source continued “This is why the results of ward congress in Imo APC is still shrouded in secrecy. Until rough edges are smoothened in the party, no one can openly come out to say he or she wants to be State Chairman of APC in Imo State”
Okorocha has continued to insist that Dan Nwafor is the Chairman of the APC in Imo State, a claim which has refused to stick, as Nlemigbo backed by Governor Hope Uzodimma, is recognised by national leadership of the party as authentic State executives of the APC in Imo State.