By Christian Nwokocha
There are indications that more than 20 eligible Governorship aspirants will slug it out in their respective Political Parties during party primaries with a view to emerge as candidates.
In matter of days from now, political parties will commence their respective party primary elections in preparation for November 2023 Governorship election. No doubt, Imo indigenes need a mentally balanced governor who is educated and possessed an identifiable means of livelihood before now and other skills, capable of delisting the state from the nation’s terrorism register occasioned by state and non state actors.
That means a healthy psychological state of a man with a good sense of judgement, in tandem with conventional way of doing things and ready to obey rules of engagement.
He must be one who obviously will appreciate Imo State as a once peaceful state where inhabitants of Rivers, Cross River, Warri in Delta, and Anambra States run to for safety during their years of cult activities, terror attacks, youth restiveness and communal clashes.
Recall that Imo State won several awards as a peaceful state, excellent in road network, ease of doing business and cleanliness, particularly during Chief Sam Onunaka Mbakwe, Chief Achike Udenwa, Sir Godson Ikedi Ohakim and RT Hon Emeka Ihedioha as then Governors of the state respectively.
The parties to watch in the actual Governorship election include the Labour Party, APC, PDP and APGA. Certainly, the incumbent Governor Senator Hope Uzodimma will secure APC ticket in a stress-free party primary contest.
Senator Hope Uzodimma comes from Omuma in Oru East Local Govt Area of Imo State in Orlu Zone where the Governorship position has remained for 24 years out of 28 years since May 29, 1999. That means if Uzodimma serves out his tenure, January 14, 2024.
Credible sources from Labour Party hierarchy narrowed the Governorship party ticket to a man who the party authorities and their respective members described as a moral driven politician and modest gentleman Dr Charles Ugomuoh.
The emerging maverick politician Dr Ugomuoh comes from Lorji Community, Oke Ovoro Clan in Aboh Mbaise Local Govt Area of Imo State, and a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, said to be ready at all times to speak the truth to power.
Dr Ugomuoh, AIG retired is the BoT Chairman of Oke Ovoro Ezuo People’s Assembly, Aboh Mbaise. He was a Senatorial candidate of APGA four years ago and has since then refused to be lured into the club of “Noisy Classy” politicians in Imo State. Though, Imo requires a technocrat and security expert, it must not be a laud one because the case of Buhari as a retired general was allegedly a minus for Nigeria.
Therefore, a modest man from a humble background and a community leader, being a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) USA. BOT Chairman Imo Community Association Abuja. a holder of Doctor of Vet Medicine (DVM) Degree, Ibadan. MSc (Microbiology) UNILAG. PGD (Banking & Finance) Nsukka, Member of Vet Surgeons of Nigeria Abuja and Chairman Labour Party Security Contact Committee for 2023 General Election across the Southeast.
In PDP, the National Secretary of the Party Senator Samuel Anyanwu (Sam Daddy) will secure the party’s ticket, particularly now that one of the trusted Imo PDP politician RT Hon Emeka Ihedioha has withdrawn his interest on the forthcoming party primaries.
Sam Daddy who comes from Amaimo in Ikeduru Local Govt Area with his ever-smiling nature and friendly approach will internally make a difference in what is remaining of PDP in the State.
It is not very clear on who will fly the APGA flag, following the leadership crisis rocking the party at national level. Party members and Governorship aspirants are taking their time, having a critical look at the recent controversial court judgement on who the national chairman and it’s executive members are.
Feelers had it that APGA in the state has reserved ticket for Barr Sam Amadi (PhD), living him with the only alternative option if his quest to secure the “RARE” Labour Party ticket fails.
