A move by Owerri Zone to produce a consensus candidate to take on Imo State Governor and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Owelle Rochas Okorocha at the April 11, 2015 governorship election in the state hit a brick wall as the candidates refused to step down for one another.
This came less than one week after ex-governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, Senator Araraume, Chief Tony Chukwu and even Senator Hope Uzodinma visited Okorocha at the state government house pledging to support his second term ambition.
247ureports.com reliably learnt that governorship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha; Accord Party Candidate, Ken Ojiri; United Progressives Party, UPP, Candidate, Osmond Ukanacho and Capt Emmanuel Iheanacho of the All Progressive Grand Alliance—all from Owerri Senatorial Zone— met at the instance of elder statesman, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu weekend in Owerri where they discussed on the possibility of fielding a consensus candidate from Owerri Zone to contest against Governor Okorocha from Orlu Senatorial Zone.
Though, details of the meeting were sketchy but insider sources told our reporterthat all the candidates agreed on the need for the zone to field a consensus candidate.
Each of them however failed to agree to step down for any one of them, and instead gave reasons others should step out of the race them.
Consequent upon the outcome of the meeting, Chieftains of the PDP particularly the party’s governorship aspirants have defected to the APC.
According to government house sources, there were indications that two governorship aspirants in the PDP, Chief Jerry Chukwueke and Barr Bethel Nzimako have left the party for the APC.
The duo was captured on camera with Governor Okorocha and his deputy publicly pledging their support to the re- election bid of the APC governorship candidate, Okorocha.
Also among other decampees from the PDP to the APC are, the leader of Owerri Zone Political Leaders Forum, OZOPOLF, Chief Charles Amadi, his secretary, Barr Kingsley Ononuju. OZOPOLF is a pressure group canvassing for Imo Governor of Owerri zone extraction in 2015.
Also, directors of Senator Hope Uzodinma Campaign Organisation, Barr. Rex Anunobi, Chief Samfo Nwankwo and Hon. Pat Ekeji have since jumped ship from the PDP.
