The lawmaker expected to replace outgoing Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Ben Uwajumogu, will likely be produced by Senator Ifeanyi Araraume.
According to latest information reaching Trumpeta from government house, Owerri, Governor Rochas Okorocha may have tactfully relaxed his earlier plot to pick a Speaker designate among the crop of new lawmakers elected under the platform of APC especially those of Okigwe extraction.
This newspaper learnt that in his quest to give Araraume who joined forces with him to deliver APC in the Governorship and House of Assembly elections a sense of belonging and accommodation in the Rescue Mission, the former senator is saddled with the responsibility of producing the next Speaker.
It was learnt that against the backdrop reports that Araraume would succeed Okorocha in 2019 as governor, the governor is giving the ex-senator his due as a leader in Okigwe zone, to produce the incoming Speaker.
Reasons for the decision, our correspondent learnt, were to avoid a collision course and clash of interest at the initial stage of the romance.
It was also gathered that part of the agreement Okorocha and Araraume had before the untimely political marriage that was consummated after the March 28 Presidential election was that Araraume would have a fair share of the members of the State Exco as well as producing the next Speaker.
Even as it was learnt that the decision did not go down well with few Okigwe zone leaders who have been behind Okorocha from the beginning till date. This newspaper further gathered that Araraume has begun the quest as his house and offices in the state and Abuja are fast turning into a Mecca for aspirants for the Speakership position.
It was also learnt that Araraume, accused of working behind the scenes to ensure the APC candidate for Isiala Mbano State Assembly was declared winner ahead of the PDP flag bearer, Lady Joy Mbawuike who was earlier declared winner, wants to use the Speakership position to creep into power and maintain a stronghold to run for governorship in 2019.
