There are emerging fresh political dynamics in the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Imo State, with strong indications of a reconciliation in the offing, between Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and his predecessor, Senator Rochas Okorocha.
Uzodimma and Okorocha have been entangled in a fierce political battle since Uzodimma was pronounced Governor of Imo State by the Supreme Court in January 2020.
Aside the battle for the soul of Imo APC, which pitied both men at cross roads, Okorocha had on several fora, accused his successor of fueling his ordeal with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Okorocha, who represents Imo West Senatorial District in the Senate, had been severally arrested by the anti graft commission and dragged to court over misappropriation of State funds when he was Governor of Imo State for eight years.
Uzodimma and Okorocha’s rift came to the public domain last year, when the former Governor resisted attempts by agents of the Imo State government to seal Royal Palm Estate, one of his choice properties in Owerri.
Also, the Senator had accused Uzodimma of masterminding the arrest of his son in law and former Chief of Staff, Uche Nwosu, in a commando style, during an outing service for Nwosu’s late Mother, Late Jemimah, at Nkwerre LGA, on December 26, 2021.
In what appears a clear signal that the days of rift may be over and reconciliation is in the offing, Dan Nwafor, an ally of Okorocha, who has consistently claimed to be Chairman of the APC in the State, directed his lawyer, to withdraw a fresh suit, which sought to challenge the authenticity of the State Working Committee of the APC in Imo State led by Mr Ebere Mac Donald.
The Ebere led Exco is backed by Governor Uzodimma.
Analysts contend that Nwafor’s move may be tailored towards bringing the two political gladiators on the path of peace and reconciliation which will augur well for the party ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Sources told this newspaper that the national leadership of the party had initiated several moves lately to get both Uzodimma and Okorocha talking. It was unclear if they had met and discussed.
With the 2023 general elections four months close, some party chieftains in the State say building bridges of reconciliation would keep the APC in the state in harmony in the face of the growing opposition from the PDP and the Labour Party in the State.
However, some political loyalists of Governor Uzodimma and Okorocha were reluctant to speak to INNONEWS on the said reconciliation between the two political leaders.
“If the reconciliation moves are true, then it is good for the APC in Imo State, but I cannot confirm or dispel reports in the media that Uzodimma and Okorocha are on the verge of reconciliation” said an ally of the former Governor who spoke on condition of anonymity.
It is unclear what an Uzodimma/Okorocha reconciliation means for Senator Ifenayi Araraume.
Araraume has been Okorocha’s ally and Uzodimma’s foe, after losing his Chairmanship of the board of the now privatized, Nigerian National Petroleum Limited.
He had joined Okorocha to attend Uzodimma’s inauguration as Imo State Governor, but things went awry thereafter, with Uzodimma allegedly opposing Araraume’s bid to return to the senate in 2022. The Imo Governor rather endorsed Frank Ibezim, an ally of then Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba.
Nwajiuba was last week reported in the local media in Imo State of nursing the ambition to be Imo State governor in 2023.
However, a source in the former Minister’s camp said the report is not true.
