Issues As APC Moves To Reconcile Okorocha, Uzodinma

By Chuks Ekpeneru

The inauguration of a committee by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to reconcile warring factions of the party Imo State has raised a little glimmer of hope that a party divided along parallel lines could fuse together.

The reconciliation committee is headed by the Jigawa State governor, Abubakar Badaru. Other members include Governors Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti; Simon Lalong, Plateau; Abdullahi Sule Nassarawa, and Inua Yahaya of Gombe State.

During the inauguration, Chairman, APC Caretaker/Extraordinary National Convention Planning Committee and the Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, recalled that the recent past had threatened the party’s existence and subsequently led to the constitution of the caretaker committee.

The Imo chapter crisis has its roots in the events leading to the 2019 general elections.

Former Governor Rochas Okorocha had wanted to plant his in-law, Uche Nwosu as his successor. He was, however, not in good terms with the ousted former National Chairman, Adams Oshiomole despite being the only governor that graced Oshiomhole’s declaration for the office of national chairman in 2018.

Some alleged that Oshiomhole was not disposed towards Okorocha because he had sympathies with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and that the two of them saw the former Imo governor as a potential threat to their aspirations in 2023.

Okorocha they believe, still has his eyes in contesting for the presidency in 2023 and it is partly believed that that was part of the reason his surrogate was stopped in the 2019 election by the Oshiomhole leadership of the party. Governor Hope Uzodinma had worked with the Oshiomole group to outsmart the party leaders in the state in the days leading to the APC party primaries.

As of now, there are two factions, Prince Marcellinus Nlemigbo is leading one that is loyal to Uzodimma.

While Daniel Nwafor, who an FCT High Court affirmed as the authentic chairman of APC in Imo State is loyal to Okorocha.

Any settlement has far reaching implications for both factions, except the party will toe a middle line.

Handing over the structure to the governor signals a death knell for now for Okorocha and his group, while allowing Okorocha’s man to remain as Chairman will put Uzodinma’s government and his second term ambitions in jeopardy.

To beef up for the fight ahead, both factions are currently head hunting. Uzodinma has recruited Okorocha’s arch rival, Osita Izunaso, while the former governor has to his side another bitter bigwig, Senator Ifeanyi Ararume.

All eyes are on Governor Buni and his team as the party begins preparations for 2023.

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