By Uzoma Akobundu
Against the desire of members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Imo State, Governor Rochas Okorocha on Monday unwrapped what he has been keeping to his family members alone, his plan to foist his son in-law, Uche Nwosu who is his Chief of Staff on the good people of Imo as his successor in 2019.
Key members of the APC in Imo had deserted the party since last Okorocha was said to be plotting with his wife to foist his son in-law on the state, ostensibly to cover his dirty deals when out of office.
Those who want Okorocha not to foist his son in-law on the people are senator Ifeanyi Araraume, Uche Onyeagocha, senator Ben Uwajumogu, Osita Iszunaso amonmg other key members of the party, all of who have now parted ways with Okorocha, thereby making the APC vulnerable to defeat in Imo.
Uche Nwosu with Okorocha’s first daughter, as wife
There have been rallies in the state by party members who believe that Okorocha’s Deputy, Eze Madumere was better fitted to succeed him based on his experience, knowledge of the Government’s Ideology and the zone, Owerri, that is supposed to produce the next governor in Imo.
But Okorocha told a group of sponsored politicians from Imo who visited him that if Nwosu comes out to contest the 2019 governorship election in the State, he would support him on the ground that he has all the qualities of an ideal leader.
Okorocha described his stooge son in-law as “an ardent apostle of the Rescue Mission Government in the State,” when the “officials of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) and leaders from Owerri Municipal Council” visited him on Monday at the Government House to urge him to encourage and support Nwosu for the governorship of the State in 2019.
Although Okorocha claimed that his son in-law has not told him that he wants to run for the governorship of the State, but he said “if he comes out he would support him,” adding that “he has known Uche Nwosu over the years but does not know his parents and described him as an honest man who, whatever he tells you in the morning is what he will tell you in the evening.”
Okorocha stated: “Uche Nwosu is hardworking, and never gets tired. He is a very humble young man. Not proud. Not arrogant. So, Power won’t enter his head. Inspite of the position he occupies you can’t see him quarreling with anybody or maltreating anybody. He does not segregate against anybody whether from Orlu or Owerri or Okigwe zone. He relates with people enviously. I have checked him in and out, I have not found him wanting.
“What the State wants is Imo governor and not Owerri Zone or Orlu Zone or Okigwe Zone governor. Zoning does not put food on the table of anybody. The young man is a team player, who does not use his office to molest anybody. He has the qualities of a good leader. If he says he will run for governor, I will support him.
“Obviously it might be as a result of these qualities that most people are talking about Uche Nwosu for governor everywhere even when he has not declared for the governorship. It might also be the reason for the endorsements he is getting from all quarters. You see, you don’t hide a good product. And the joy of every leader is to have a worthy successor. You don’t mind political opportunists. We have done very well as a government and we should be concerned about what happens to the achievements after.
“I am not from Owerri zone, but my administration has done more projects in Owerri zone and Owerri Municipal in particular more that the administrations before me had done put together. We need Imo governor and not a zonal governor. I have done in Okigwe zone what the man from the zone could not do for them. The records are there.”
Okorocha also called on the Igbo not to fail to vote for APC and President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, adding too that they need the North for Political survival.
Leader of the group, Obinna Mbata said their desire is to see a person with sense of leadership no matter where the person comes from to succeed Okorocha and a person who believes in development.
“The question is what happens to the amazing achievements of the governor after he must have left. The achievements of the governor have exceeded the expectations of so many people. And who succeeds him should be the concern of all patriotic Citizens of the State. That is why we are here, to tell you that Uche Nwosu has all it takes to measure up well,” according to a statement by Okorocha’s chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo.