There are strong indications that the secret reconciliation moves between Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma and his predecessor and the Senator Representing Imo West Senatorial Zone, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, which reportedly began late last year, may have hit the rocks over the Okorocha’s insistence on backing some of his political foot-soldiers, who are candidates in Labour party, LP and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Recall that last year the media was awashed with reports in the media that there are serious moves to reconcile Uzodimma and Okorocha after the duo and their supporters had engaged in fierce political altercations.
An aide to Okorocha authoritatively told this newspaper that Okorocha is not relenting in his support for three of his political henchmen in the forthcoming general elections.
These his political sons are member representing Oguta, Oru West and Ohaji/Egbema Federal Constituency, Kingsley Uju, Member representing Nkwerre, Isu, Nwangele and Njaba Federal Constituency, Ugonna Ozuruigbo and member representing Ideato Federal Constituency, Dr. Paschal Obi.
Recall that the trio had early last year dumped the All Progressives Congress, APC for the PDP and Labour party where they successfully secured return tickets.
According to the aide the essence of the new political marriage between Uzodimma and Okorocha, is that the two political leaders to bury their differences and work collectively to ensure resounding victory for their party- APC in the forthcoming Saturday February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections and the March 11, State Assembly elections.
However, with less than two weeks to the presidential and national assemblies elections, the former Governor is said to have shown no sign to keep his part of the deal by insisting that the three Federal lawmakers and other loyalists who are aspiring for various positions in other political parties, are allowed to go to the polls on the platform of the parties they secured their tickets.
Meanwhile,an Owerri based newspaper last Monday reported that top officials of Imo state government and chieftains of APC in the state are opposed to Okorocha’s posture, which may equally truncate the ongoing peace moves.
Ironically, a senior political appointee to Uzodimma told The Authority that the Governor “is totally averse to the position of Okorocha on this matter”
It is certainly unclear if Uzodimma and Okorocha have officially met since the beginning of 2023, to continue the “peace or exploratory talks”
The source continued “Okorocha’s recent utterances where he said he will soon tell his supporters whom to vote for in the coming elections has weakened whatever gains the talks with Uzodimma might have recorded
The former governor had also at the funeral of the mother of Hon Kingsley Uju, said he will soon address a world press conference where he will announce to Imo people candidates they will vote for at the elections.
It’s certain he may align with the political parties his candidates have secured tickets.
“If he goes ahead and makes such proclamation at the world press conference, then there is no basis for further talks or discussions with him because it is very clear he will not support APC candidates and this may crumble the talks, because Uzodimma is totally committed to deliver the APC in the State 100 percent” the source claimed.
