Indications have emerged that the governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma and his confidants are comfortable retaining Rt. Hon. Chiji Collins as Speaker of the state legislature.
A close confidant of Uzodinma who spoke on condition of anonymity hinted that Chiji Collins stood by APC at a time other lawmakers deserted the party.
He said Chiji was suspended for almost one year for refusing to sign the document on the purported endorsement of Uche Nwosu as Rochas Okorocha’s successor.
He described those eyeing speakership position as “food is ready politicians who would hardly state their stand when the need arises”.
The source commended Chiji for not toeing the line of his colleagues who were allegedly taken to Elele, Rivers State for fetish oath-taking.
He further described him as a man with the fear of God.
Meanwhile, it was gathered that following the sack of Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha as governor of Imo State, two major contenders are jostling for the position of speaker.
They are; Hon. Kennedy Ibeh, a two-term lawmaker, representing Obowo State Constituency and Hon. Emeka Nduka, who replaced Hon. Lawrence Duruji, representing Ehime Mbano. Nduka is of the APC.
The latter is said to be a green-horn in the business of legislation while the former, though a ranking member is said to have owed more loyalty to Rochas Okorocha than Uzodinma.
Kennedy Ibeh is said to always change camps, shift loyalty and curry favour as if he is changing clothes.
He came into political limelight riding on the back of Chief Chris Okewulonu to become a councillor in Obowo LGA.
He later dumped Chris Okewulonu for Chike Okafor, on whose back he rode to the House of Assembly between 2015 and 2019.
NEWSBREAK
