By Martin Opara
There is palpable tension in Governor Okorocha’s camp following the refusal of the National Working Committee of All Progressives Congress to accept his list of candidates, where most of his ardent supporters and members of his kitchen cabinet including Prof Nnamdi Obiareri, former Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations), Engr Kingsley Uju, Principal Secretary to the Governor, Dr Pascal Obi, Deputy Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Ugonna Ozuruigbo, lost out, while Senator Hope Uzodinma’s men, Harrison Nwadike emerged for Nwangele, Isu, Njaba, Nkwerre federal constituency, Mirian Onuoha emerged for Isiala Mbano, Onuimo, Okigwe federal constituency, and Hon Goodluck Nanah Opiah got the ticket for Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta, Oru East federal constituency.
Most irritating and annoying according to reliable source, is that of Ideato North and South federal constituency, the Governor’s constituency where Austin Chukwukere, snatched the ticket from Dr Pascal Obi, a known confidant of Governor Okorocha.
Prof Nnamdi Obiareri, one of Okorocha’s former commissioners, also lost the Okigwe Senate ticket to Senator Ben Uwajumogu, a stalwart of the Imo APC coalition.
Meanwhile, the Governor’s supporters embarked on a protest in Owerri yesterday and condemned granting automatic ticket to anybody. They insisted on level playing ground for all aspirants to test their popularity and acceptance. Top among the protesters, were the Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Acho Ihim, and Hon Ikechukwu Amuka, representing Ideato South state constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly.
However, the case between Senator Hope Uzodinma and Uche Nwosu will come up today at the FCT high court, Abuja.
One of Senator Uzodinma’s close aides who confided in this reporter said, “as far as we are concerned, there is no cause for alarm, since Governor Okorocha has been settled with the Orlu senate ticket. It is obvious that the party will not leave Senator Hope Uzodinma empty handed. Besides, the APC Legal Adviser has, by the grace of God, made things easier for us. We believe that with his submission at the last sitting, the court will do the needful, in accordance with the law”.
Similarly,Governor Okorocha’s aides, who pleaded anonymity, said, they are fully in charge, “because, those who rigged the 2nd October primary election were amateurs, who left traces of their mischief. They were neither careful nor professional about what they did. We have video clips that will be tendered in evidence and used against Senator Uzodinma and his group of chorus singers”, he averred.
