From Everest Ezihe, Owerri
Ahead of the February 25 elections, the secret moves to unite former Governor of Imo state, Senator Rochas Okorocha and his successor and incumbent Governor of Imo state, Senator Hope Uzodimma may have hit the bricks wall following disagreement on the former’s alleged resolve to support his aides who are contesting elections outside the All Progressives Congress (APC)
It would recalled that some of Korocha’s men who were denied return tickets in APC, defected to both the PDP and Labour party, where they were offered tickets to seek return to the National Assembly
Sources close to Okorocha have disclosed that Imo West senator is not relenting in his support for three of his political henchmen who are contesting elections on the platform of the PDP and LP.
These his political sons are member representing Oguta, Oru West and Ohaji/Egbema Federal Constituency, Kingsley Uju, Member representing Nkwerre, Isu, Nwangele and Njaba Federal Constituency, Ugonna Ozuruigbo and member representing Ideato Federal Constituency, Dr. Paschal Obi.
Recall that the trio had early last year dumped the APC for the PDP and Labour party where they successfully secured return tickets.
According to an aide to Governor Uzodimma, “the essence of the new political marriage between Uzodimma and Okorocha, is that the two political leaders to bury their differences and work collectively to ensure resounding victory for their party- APC in the forthcoming Saturday February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections and the March 11, State Assembly elections.”
However, with less than two weeks to the presidential and national assembly elections, the former Governor is said to have insisted that the three Federal lawmakers and other loyalists who are aspiring for various positions in other political parties, are allowed to go to the polls on the platform of the parties they secured their tickets.
Sources close the Imo state government House have revealed that top officials of the state government and the APC are opposed to Okorocha’s posture, which they argue may truncate the ongoing peace moves.
It is certainly unclear if Uzodimma and Okorocha have officially met since the beginning of 2023, to continue the “peace or exploratory talks”
The source continued “Okorocha’s recent utterances where he said he will soon tell his supporters who to vote for in the coming elections has weakened whatever gains the talks with Uzodimma might have recorded
“The former governor had also at the funeral of the mother of Hon Kingsley Uju, said he will soon address a world press conference where he will announce to Imo people candidates they will vote for at the elections.
“It’s certain he may align with the political parties his candidates have secured tickets.
“If he goes ahead and makes such proclamation at the world press conference, then there is no basis for further talks or discussions with him because it is very clear he will not support APC candidates and this may crumble the talks, because Uzodimma is totally committed to deliver the APC in the State 100 percent” the source claimed.
