By Augustine Aminu
The Sole Administrator (SOLAD) of Aboh Mbaise LGA, Barrister Ogechi Njoku-Ehirim, appears to have set off a political storm with a recent parley she held at the LGA Council Hall in Aboh Mbaise, which had in attendance the Imo State Action Democratic Party (ADP) gubernatorial candidate, Dr Kachi Nwoga and others, while excluding prominent appointees of Governor Hope Uzodimma from the same community.
The meeting which was seemingly convened by her as preparatory steps to plan towards the upcoming Iriji-Mbaise in August of 2023, had in attendance some people who had opposed the holding of Iriji-Mbaise of 2022 where Governor Hope Uzodimma was honoured with the chieftaincy title of “Enyioma of the Mbaise,” while virtually no government appointee from Mbaise was invited, including the three Commissioners from Mbaise.
Some Mbaise APC stakeholders appear irked by the recent development, given that the SOLAD appointed by Governor Hope Uzodimma, chose to hold a meeting with a man who is running against the governor in the November 11, 2023 election.
The historic Iriji-Mbaise of 2022 was organized by a group known as Oluoha Mbaise, along with Ndi Eze Mbaise and headed by Prince Perry Opara of Ezinihite Mbaise.
Oluoha Mbaise had reportedly balked at the decision of Ezuruezu Mbaise not to hold Iriji in 2023. Ezuruezu Mbaise’s decision not to hold Iriji last year was rumoured to have been at the orders of Chief Emeka Ihedioha, from whom Uzodimma wrestled the seat of governor of Imo State in January of 2020. The historic ceremony was held anyway, with Uzodimma warmly welcomed and honoured.
A prominent Mbaise son and major stakeholder in the party, who however did not wish to be named, told this newspaper that the last may not have been heard of the matter, describing Njoku-Ehirim’s sole decision to meet with Ezuruezu Mbaise and the Imo State ADP Candidate for governor, as a slap in the face of those who laboured and took risks last year to organize the Iriji-Mbaise of 2022, where the governor was honoured.
The Iriji-Mbaise ceremony is to be hosted by Aboh Mbaise LGA in 2023.
