– Ibe, Agabiga, Ikpamezie Tipped For Assembly Leadership
As the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma is expected to announce his new cabinet in no distant time, a grapevine source has revealed that the Governor may have decided to drop some of his confidants and foot soldiers who worked tirelessly to actualize his emergence for a second tenure in office.
A Government House source who does not want his name in print told our reporter that Chief Charles Orie, who is currently the Managing Director of the Imo State Oil Producing Communities Development Commission ISOPADEC has been tipped as the new Chief of staff, Government House, while Hon Emeka Nduka, a former Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly has also been penciled down as the Secretary to the Government of Imo State SGI.
The source also stated that Hon Kennedy Ibeh, also a former Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, has been tipped to replace the incumbent Speaker, Rt.Hon.Olemgbe, while Hon Uche Agabiga, representing Orsu State constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly, is expected to replace Hon Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu as Deputy Speaker.
The source further revealed that the lawmaker for Mbaitoli State constituency, Hon Innocent Ikpamezie, who is said to have been Uzodinma’s long time loyalist and confidant has been penciled down to succeed Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi as Majority Leader of the State House of Assembly.
“Presently, all those who worked with and for Uzodinma before, during and after the governorship election have been left in the dark as the Governor reportedly ignores their calls. Recall, that last week, the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ogunwike Nwachukwu, issued a released directing all former appointees of government to handover all properties in their custody to the Managing Director of ISOPADEC, Charles Orie. This, according to political pundits gives credence to speculations that Orie has actually been penciled down to occupy the position of Chief of Staff, Imo State Government House”, Owerri.
“We also have it on good authority that the next Chief Executive Officer of ISOPADEC, will come from Oru East Local Government Area, which Uzodinma has lobbied to be included in the list of oil producing areas in the state.
It was also gathered that Sydney Agbo, former Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations) Imo State Government House, will replace Chinasa Nwaneri, as Special Adviser, (Special Duties).
According to the source, “most of those in the government circle are worried about the Governor’s resolve to do away with some of supporters, confidants and members of his kitchen Cabinet. Even most of us who are supposed to be in his good books may also suffer the same fate. Hence the development is neither palatable nor something to be cherished by anybody because you don’t know whose turn it will be next”.
Recall, that Nigeria Watchdog Newspaper had earlier published report about Cosmas Iwu whose wife was allegedly posted out of the INEC office in Owerri as a result of her alleged closeness to the government.
“Her Husband is said to have been blackmailed by those who are now close to the Governor to enable them take over her husband, Cosmas Iwu’s position”the source further stated.
It was also stated that Governor Uzodinma has decided to do away with most of his aides and confidants to shock and throw Imolites off balance with his new cabinet.
