*Details Emerge Why Current Dep Gov, Njoku, May Be Retained*
After the emergence of Governor Hope Uzodimma as governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, there is a fresh jostle by his key allies to be his Running Mate.
This as indications emerged that the current Deputy Governor, Prof Placid Njoku, is however very much in contention to be retained as Uzodimma’s Running mate for the November 11, governorship election.
Most of the allies of the governor from Owerri and Okigwe zones, including a former Minister, have joined the scramble for the number 2 position.
Uzodimma is said to be keeping close to his chest his Running Mate
A source told INNONEWS that the camp of the governor had waited for the PDP and the Labour party in the state, to conclude its governorship primaries before raising the issue of Running mate.
Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Senator Athan Achonu, had emerged governorship candidates of the PDP and Labour party respectively last week.
The outcome of the Primaries of the two parties is said to be a yardstick to determine which zone (Owerri or Okigwe) would produce the governor’s Running mate.
However, multiple sources said that the Deputy Governor is most likely to be retained as Running Mate on the grounds that “Uzodimma can comfortably defeat the PDP and Labour party governorship candidates”
“The PDP and LP fielded candidates that cannot spark a wave for change in the state. Sam Daddy and Athan do not have political spine to unseat an Uzodimma in the forthcoming guber election” one of the sources told this newspaper.
“On this basis, there is no need to change a winning team.
If the Labour party had come up with a more acceptable candidate, a candidate either in the mould of Peter Obi, or similar to Obi, it would have altered the choice of Running mate of the governor.
“Since it is not the case, it is most unlikey for Prof Njoku to be dropped as Running Mate to Governor Uzodimma” the source stated