As the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, prepare to announce the date for the vacant Imo North Senatorial seat, aspirants have started the tour on the six Local Governments Areas in Okigwe Zone, canvassing supports from stakeholders of their various political parties.
Daily Nigerian Horn learnt that much as the aspirants have
already started doling out huge amounts to party officers and leaders in
their various wards, some of them have resorted to blackmail and
mudslinging to tarnish the image of their opponents.
The most fierce battle, Daily Nigerian Horn, learnt is between aspirants in the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
The aspirants believe that securing the party’s ticket will
guarantee them the victory at the main election hence their desperation
to clinch the ticket by all means.
One of the means is securing the support of the state governor,
Hope Uzodimma, whom many believed has the key to the Okigwe Senate Seat.
Already, most of the aspirants under APC have paid several
visits to Douglas House while others have mounted bill boards in support
of the governor.
Daily Nigerian Horn learnt that name – dropping of the
governor’s name has become the order of the day as these aspirants try
to convince the Local Government Council members and the stakeholders
that they have the support of the governor.
Aspirants under APC include; Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, (Isiala
Mbano), Senator Athan Achonu, (Ehime Mbano), Engr. Mark Uchendu, (Ihitte
Uboma), Hon. Matthew Omegara, (Okigwe), Rt. Hon. Acho Ihim, (Okigwe)
and Prof. Nnamdi Obiaraeri, (Okigwe).
In the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, we have Chief Emma
Okewulonu, Obowo, and Hon. Patrick Ndubueze, Okigwe, while Chief Charles
Onyirimba is contesting under the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA,
and he is from Ehime Mbano.
Meanwhile indigenes of Okigwe Zone have condemned the way and
manner some of the aspirants have been flooding the Government House
to seek for the Governor’s endorsement, saying the people of Okigwe Zone
have the final say on who replaces late Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu.
They equally frowned at the intrigues ongoing in the Zone about
the Senate election, saying Okigwe people will elect their Senator based
on integrity, services to humanity and accessibility.
Analysts however believe that both Abuja and Uzodimma may still decide who becomes the next Imo North Senator.
NIGERIAN HORN
