By Martin Opara
Following the annulment of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election, held in Imo State Monday 1st October, 2018, during which Senator Hope Uzodimma came first, while former Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere came second, with Governor Rochas Okorocha’s choice candidate and son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, coming a distant 7th, position, the Publicity Secretary of a faction of the party in the state, Mr. F.C.C. Jones Onwuasoanya, had issued a press statement dated 4th October 2018.In the statement,he informed the general public that a re-run governorship primary election, will be held alongside the Senate, Federal House of Representatives and House of Assembly primary elections, on Friday, 5th October 2018.
According to the release which was signed by FCC. Jones Onwuasoanya, accreditation will commence at 9am, while the election proper will start, immediately after accreditation.
In the statement,he informed the general public that a re-run governorship primary election, will be held alongside the Senate, Federal House of Representatives and House of Assembly primary elections, on Friday, 5th October 2018.
According to the release which was signed by FCC. Jones Onwuasoanya, accreditation will commence at 9am, while the election proper will start, immediately after accreditation.
Meanwhile, as at time of filing this report, the National Leadership of the party, has not issued any official statement, as regards the development, neither has the party hierarchy in Abuja announced a counter.
Their grave silence is an indication that they are not working in tandem with Okorocha’s game plans.
When contacted, one of the APC governorship aspirants who pleaded anonymity said, “no official statement has been issued by the National Exco and we have not been informed of the new development.However, we have accepted the outcome in good faith, as the election was transparent, free and fair”,devoid of any rancour or bitterness except for self inflicted skirmishes purportedly announced at few locations outside the state capital”.
However, we have accepted the outcome in good faith, as the election was transparent, free and fair”,devoid of any rancour or bitterness except for self inflicted skirmishes purportedly announced at few locations outside the state capital”.
A source close to the presidency averred that, as far as the presidency is concerned, “the issue of APC governorship primary election in Imo State, is a fore-closed matter”. The presidency is said to be tactfully doing everything to keep Governor Okorocha in the party, and avoid his defection to another party with his planned numerous sheepish supporters. “The rescheduled governorship primary election is only a ploy aimed at buying time.
The presidency is said to be tactfully doing everything to keep Governor Okorocha in the party, and avoid his defection to another party with his planned numerous sheepish supporters. “The rescheduled governorship primary election is only a ploy aimed at buying time.
For instance, the new chairman of the electoral committee, General Dambazau (Rtd), is said to have jetted out to America. One wonders, how a man who is supposed to preside over such a crucial election had to jet out to America at very short notice”, the source stated.
He added that, what Governor Okorocha and his group are doing, depicts desperation and panic measures by people who seem to be scared of their shadows.
In a related development, there appears to be a clandestine attempt to deny Owelle Rochas Okorocha, the Orlu APC senate ticket.
Indications to this effect emerged from the decision to organize a repeat governorship primary election on the same day the National Assembly primary election of APC is expected to take place. Okorocha who expectedly would be busy standing for the senate primary election in Ogboko, Ideato South LGA would not have the time to effectively monitor or manipulate the outcome of his son-inlaw’s emergence if the release made by Onwuasonya is anything to go by with the Nnamdi Anyaehies of Nkwerre becoming more formidable and resolute to ensure that Uche Nwosu loses in his polling booth and the entire Nkwerre LGA.
Okorocha who expectedly would be busy standing for the senate primary election in Ogboko, Ideato South LGA would not have the time to effectively monitor or manipulate the outcome of his son-inlaw’s emergence if the release made by Onwuasonya is anything to go by with the Nnamdi Anyaehies of Nkwerre becoming more formidable and resolute to ensure that Uche Nwosu loses in his polling booth and the entire Nkwerre LGA.
During the purportedly rescheduled governorship primary election of Imo APC, the combination of Chiefs Ngozi and Nnamdi Anyaehie made sure that Senator Hope Uzodinma roundly defeated Uche Nwosu in Nkwerre.
This explains why the presidency is reported to have closed the door on Okorocha’s senatorial ambition even though they do not want him to leave the party since doing so could be suicidal at this stage of the political turmoil and upheavals orchestrated by Okorocha whose other friends, Dr. Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara have since defected to the PDP.
