The much awaited APC congresses to usher in new elected officers to steer the ship of the party for the next four years will commence this week end.
In Imo State, the exercise expected to hold on Saturday will be keenly contested considering the events preceding the kick off of the congresses.
Trumpeta can reveal that the political atmosphere in the state, especially among the APC party members is charged considering the interests of key political playmakers seeking for the control of the party structure ahead 2019 election.
In Imo APC, the belief in several angles is that whoever captures the officials and list of delegates shall dictate the pace of the party and capacity to produce candidates for the 2019 elective positions.
This has however led to a pro-congress skirmishes between the Rescue Mission group and those opposed to the governor of the state, Owelle Rochas Okorocha.
Rescue Mission is the political family of the governor made up of his associates comprising appointees. According to the governor in one of his public outings, the Rescue Missionaries are known as “Nde Agburu.” Within the Rescue Mission, the governor has anointed his Chief of Staff and son in-law Chief Uche Nwosu as the successor while others within his camp have been handed endorsement to run for various positions ranging from senate, House of Reps to the State Assembly.
In the other hand, a group dissatisfied with the governor’s policies and programmes, especially, his approach to party issue, known as the “Abuja” politicians are unrelenting in the fight to ensure Okorocha who is a leader of the party and desirous to take all positions to his side is not allowed to have his way. This group consist majorly of former allies of the governor who have fallen out with him because of his desire to insist on having his way.
As the congresses commence from the ward levels, it is going to be a straight fight between the Rescue Missionaries vs the Abuja political group. Trumpeta learnt that already both camps have been employing subtle political machinations to emerge victorious at the end of the exercise.
Trumpeta cannot fail to name some of the strong characters likely to play a role in who becomes what as the congresses commence.
ROCHAS OKOROCHA: For the Imo State Governor, the struggle to install his son in-law has commenced. As the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum of APC, Okorocha’s influence and ability to sway the congress to his side cannot be overlooked. Considering his role in the removal of the Exco which he moved during the APC national meeting, there is no gain saying the fact that the Imo State governor is waiting in the wings to grab the opportunity to hold firmly the ward delegates for the LGA and State congresses.
IFEANYI ARARAUME: His joining APC in 2015 has changed the fortune of the party in recent times. The coming of Araraume has indeed changed the widely held notion that Okorocha was the only “cock that crows” in the state chapter of APC. With a firm control of the outgoing structure and a perfect tactics to sustain the tempo, the two-time senator of Orlu zone cannot attempt to have a sleep this weekend for Okorocha to take control of the party structure. Noted for his wide contact, capacity to meander through tough terrains and a never-say-die fighting spirit, his desire to govern Imo State in 2019 starts from the Ward level to the LGA and State.
OSITA IZUNASO: the National Organizing Secretary of APC cannot be ruled out in the schemings. Said to be in control of a chunk of the structure in the past, the ward congresses will afford Izunaso the chance to not only consolidate earlier gains made at the formation of the party in 2014 preceding the 2015 election but extend more frontiers to be a force to reckon with in the state chapter. He is expected to call the shots using his vintage position from the national office since the party has allowed the present officials to handle the congresses.
BENJAMIN UWAJUMOGU: The Okigwe zone Senator cannot also be ruled out as one of the major players to dictate the pace. Uwajumogu’s chances blossomed with appointment as secretary of the Congress and Convention Committee Committee. His partnership with Araraume is reported to be a prefect collabo that can rub the shine off the feet of the governor in the battle for the soul of Imo APC. Uwajumogu status as the only APC Senator in the South East before the defection of others gives him an edge to be counted among the playmakers to watch out for.
HOPE UZODINMA: A dogged fighter that cannot be overlooked in APC, having joined ahead of the congress, the political prowess of Uzodinma can’t be overlooked especially now he is reported to be interested in becoming governor Uzodinma’s antecedents speak volume of his capacity to also dictate the pace.
EZE MADUMERE: Despite the attacks and persecution he has been receiving for jettisoning the desire of the governor to front Nwosu for the plum post, the number two citizen of the state cannot also be ruled out. A very calm and calculative politician who seems to be overcoming the threats of his former political soulmate, Madumere’s tentacles and reach-out in APC cannot be ignored as sympathy clause can go his way to prove mettle.
