Okorocha Sinks As Buhari’s Man Upstages His Abuja Points Man

Rochas Okorocha’s political fortunes further declined on Monday after one of his key political allies, Rep. Chike Okafor had his certificate of return to the House of Representatives withdrawn.

In his place, the certificate was restored to Emeka Nwajiuba, a former member of the House of Representatives who is a key Muhammadu Buhari strategist in the Southeast. Nwajiuba contested for the election on the platform of Accord, while Okafor was the candidate of the APC in the Okigwe South Federal Constituency.

Nwajiuba contested for the seat on the platform of Accord after crisis enveloped the Imo State chapter of the APC and Governor Okorocha took over the whole structure with only his men getting tickets.

Nwajiuba, however, was a key strategist in the Muhammadu Buhari camp and was one of the earliest persons pushed forward to kickstart the Buhari second term campaign.

He was a key player in the Nigerian Consolidation Ambassadors Network, the pro-Buhari group which purchased the N45 million form for the president in 2018.

Though Okafor was returned by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC as winner of the election, Nwajiuba proceeded to the court where he got the relief that compelled the commission to withdraw the certificate of return.

Incidentally, Okafor was also making moves to be speaker of the house despite claims by Nwajiuba that he, Okafor was not by law a candidate in the election. Okafor had at all times as a member of the House always acted as Okorocha’s ambassador often defending him when many of the political elites from the state defected from his camp.

Nwajiuba was a member of Buhari’s Congress for Progressive Change, CPC and was the party’s governorship candidate in the 2011 General Election.

Receiving his certificate on Monday, Nwajiuba asked the APC to zone the office of speaker to the Southeast, apparently opening himself to an immediate return to the ruling party.

“APC made great progress in 2019 than in 2015 elections. So, zoning such a position to the region will enhance national stability, inclusiveness and consolidation of the APC in the South East.

INEC National Commissioner, Barr. Festus Okoye who presented the certificate to Nwajiuba said the commission acted according to the rule of law and would always heed court judgments.

The withdrawal of the certificate is set to send further gloom to the political camp of the outgoing governor of Imo State after his choice for a successor, Uche Nwosu lost the election. Even more, the governor’s bid to go to the Senate has been put in suspense following claims by INEC that he was announced as winner by the returning officer under duress.

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