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Tag: Prince Eze Madumere

  • Imo APC adopts indirect primary

    Some stakeholders in Imo State’s APC are stoutly opposed to the party’s adoption of direct primary option, a development that may play up during the governorship primaries, reports Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

    The Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is working round the clock to avoid any form of internal crisis that may result from the primaries. To this extent, the leader of the party in the state, Governor Rochas Okorocha, and other stakeholders have been holding talks with the aspirants with the intention of pruning down the number ahead the primaries.

    The State Executive Committee (SEC) has adopted indirect primary as the mode to elect its candidates for the 2019 elections after extensive consultations.

    The decision was reached at an emergency State Executive Committee (SEC) meeting presided over by the state Chairman of the party, Mr. Daniel Nwafor.

    The motion for the adoption of the indirect primaries was moved by the APC Chairman of Nwangele Local Government Area, Mr. Jude Mbamara and seconded by Obinna Egu, member representing Ngor-Okpala Council Area in the state House of Assembly.

    Speaking further on the development, the APC state Chairman said it was the unanimous decision of members of the party.

    He said it reflects the minds of the larger population of members of the party, adding that the APC Constitution allows for both direct and indirect modes for election of candidates.

    According to him, “the NEC was specific that states should adopt any of the modes that best suite its peculiarities and the Imo State chapter, after holistic deliberations among members and stakeholders, has adopted the indirect mode”.

    But members of the Coalition Group, a pressure group within the Imo State chapter of the party, are kicking against the indirect primary and are instead calling for direct primaries’ model.

    Members of the group, including the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, Senator Hope Uzodinma, Toe Ekechi, Hillary Eke, among others, noted that they will be shortchanged in the indirect primary mode.

    But Nwafor has assured of level playing ground for all aspirants.

    He said the priority of the party is to win all elective offices in the state, as well as deliver President Muhammadu Buhari.

  • Imo: Ripples over plot to impeach Deputy Governor

    Fresh revelations and recent developments in Imo State House of Assembly have renewed fear that the alleged plot to impeach the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, may be true after all, reports Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu

    SINCE the Imo State House of Assembly suspended four of its members during its first plenary after the face-off at the National Convention by the two opposing factions in the state, the allegation that Governor Rochas Okorocha has instructed his men to impeach his estranged Deputy, Prince Eze Madumere, has again taken the centre stage in the politics of the state ahead 2019.

    It would be recalled that both Okorocha and Madumere had, in the past, formally denied any knowledge of moves to impeach Madumere.

    The denials notwithstanding, there were signs that something must happen as the robust relationship between Okorocha and Madumere continues to deteriorate.  So, before the open disagreement at the convention, the intrigues that trailed the congresses in the state and the courteous utterances of the leading figures in the face-off had created a very complex situation as it became rather difficult to describe the extent of the crack in the governor and his deputy’s personal and official relationships. At a point, some observers concluded that Okorocha’s camp may have given up in the battle for the control of Imo State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC), especially because of the victories recorded by the allied forces against the governor’s camp at the state congresses. But informed observers could not help but note that Governor Okorocha’s resolve to stop the re-election of Senator Hope Uzodimma as the National Organising Secretary of APC was expressed without mincing words.

    So, as APC moved to Abuja for its National Convention on 23rd June, 2018, both observers and party members were curious to see how the power game in Imo APC will proceed. At the beginning, everything seemed to be under control. But trouble started after a group loyal to Okorocha stormed the Imo delegates’ pavillion.

    According to insider reports, members of the group on arrival at the pavilion, asked delegates loyal to Madumere, the deputy governor, to vacate their seats. At this stage, it became clear that the battle was not ended. As would be expected, the order was resisted, leading to open fisticuffs while President Muhammadu Buhari was making a speech.

    Impeachment plot rebounds

    Fresh developments in Imo confirm that the open fight in Abuja was just a preamble to the actual power game that will ultimately unfold in Imo. The Imo battle did not wait long to unfold for as soon as the state lawmakers resumed after the convention, the hallowed chamber witnessed open flexing of muscle as the House promptly impeached four members identified as supporters of Madumere. The Nation observed that the political landscape of the Southeast state has not remained the same since then.

    In fact, since the Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Acho Ihim, announced the suspension of the four lawmakers at the Assembly’s first plenary after the party’s National Convention, tongues have been wagging mainly because the affected lawmakers are known supporters of the Deputy Governor, Madumere. As a result, analysts have linked the development to the plot to impeach the deputy governor as quickly as possible.

    The lawmakers suspended are Uche Oguike, representing Ikeduru State Constituency; Ifeanyi Nnataraonye, representing Imo Deputy Governor’s local government, Mbaitoli; Nzeruo John Nkenna of Oru East and Chiji Collins, representing Isiala Mbano Constituency.

    The motion on which the suspension was predicated was raised on the floor of the Assembly, with the title: “Motion for Investigation of un-parliamentary Conduct of Four House members.” It reads in part: “…Whereas a number of members of Imo State House of Assembly have continual unabated to conduct themselves in ways and manner capable of eroding the co-operate image and sanity of Imo parliament and the state

    Be it resolved by this House that Hon. Chiji Collins, Hon. Uche Oguwike, Hon. Ifeanyi Nnataronye and Hon. Nkenna Nzeruo be immediately subjected to the Disciplinary and Ethic Committee of this Honourable House

    Be it further resolved that 4 (four) Honourable members be forthwith suspended till the report of the said Committee is received and resolved by this house.”

    Besides the suddenness of the motion suspending the lawmakers, its timing, immediately after the open confrontation at the national convention, critics of the Speaker’s decision to accept the pleadings of the motion, and his implementation of it immediately argued that the motion “did not state in clear terms the offences of the lawmakers” to warrant immediate suspension.

    Reacting to his suspension, one of the affected lawmakers, Nkenna John Nzeruo, who represents Oru East, described it as “witch-hunting.”  The lawmaker who spoke to The Nation on Friday, described the impeachment as witch-hunting,” even as he explained that he was speaking from his hiding place as, according to him, there have been threats on his life since he first came out to condemn his suspension. According to him, “I had to speak out because the people that suspended me and the other three colleagues did no tell the world our offences. They only said we were suspended because of unparliamentary conduct. I find that phrase ambiguous; a proof that there are hidden reasons for the illegal action.   As a lawmaker, I have not been found wanting in the discharge of my legislative functions neither have I faced a disciplinary committee for whatever reason.

    “The only crimes I committed are : That I gave heed to my people, whose mandate I represent, not to participate in any oath taking for the sum of Fifty Million Naira (N50,000,000) to protect my integrity before God and my people.

    Another is that I refused to go to the press to attack, abuse and assassinate the characters of Senator Hope Uzodimma as instructed even when he is my brother, constituent and also a BoT member of same party (APC).

    Another offence is my refusal to join the band wagon of the Ugwumba Movement (Agburu) supporting a particular governorship aspirant in Imo State.

    Finally, I may have offended some people because I wore the uniform provided by and for the Southeast members of the party (APC) for the just concluded National Convention of the party in Abuja.

    How these become an unparliamentary conduct is yet to be proved,” he said.

    Confirming the allegation that some lawmakers were asked, by some forces, to take oath, the lawmaker told The Nation, “I was asked to take oath of allegiance, oath of total support, but I refused to do that. That was my second offence. The third offence is because they saw me at the National Convention associating with the state APC. So, this suspension is simply the outcome of the APC National Convention of 23rd June, 2018, at Eagle Square, Abuja.

    I have also been reliably informed that other forms of attack are being programmed against me.”

    How the plan to settle matter failed in the House

    After announcing the suspension of the lawmakers, the Speaker had set up a committee headed by Hon. Lawman Duruji to investigate the matter, submit its report on July 5 2018 in order to help Assembly to resolve it internally. But investigation by The Nation during the week shows that that committee could not do anything tangible until the expiration of the time given it to conclude its work.

    Nzeruo told The Nation that until Friday, a day after the expiration of the time, neither him nor any other lawmaker affected in the suspension were invited by the committee to answer to any allegation. “Today is Friday and in spite of the fact that the committee was expected to conclude its work yesterday (Thursday), none of us has been invited to answer to any charge. Instead, the House adjourned until 24th of August without saying a word about the suspension. Because of that, we are going to the court to sue the Imo State House of Assembly and the Speaker of the House, who pronounced the suspension.”

    Tension in the land:

    Following the power show, there is tension in Imo, especially amongst APC members in the two factions. One of the suspended lawmakers, Nzeruo for example, told The Nation that since he reacted to his suspension, there have been threats to his person, a development that has made him to go into hiding. “I have been into hiding since then because of threatening calls and suspicious movements in my compound. The atmosphere is not good at all,” he said.

    Impeachment stalled

    Even as the suspended lawmakers head to the court, we gathered that the impeachment move may have been stalled following two unresolved issues. A source close to the Assembly told The Nation that some lawmakers were not happy because the sponsor of the impeachment move has not fulfilled his part of the bargain. Another issue, the source said, has to do with the fact that the lawmakers are not comfortable with the position of the State Chief Judge on the issue. Some of them said the he may not accept the plan or the way it is being carried out.  For now the tension continuous to build up..

  • Imo Deputy Governor dedicates daughter

    It was indeed a great moment of joy for the Imo State Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere and his wife, Princess Rosemary Madumere as they dedicated their daughter, Zinachi Madumere to God.

    It was all smiles and conviviality as Nigerians from all walks of life converged on the Chapel of Praise of the Anglican Communion at Lake Malinda in Ezi-Mbieri autonomous community, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo state.

    The little Zina, as the baby is fondly called, held the audience spellbound with her electrifying smile and dashing beauty. Not a few of the guests struggled to get a glimpse of her.

    For the Deputy Governor, the event was an opportunity to showcase the family’s gratitude to God for the gift of the child that has blessed the new marriage.

    His joy was obvious, just like the wife who was distinguished in her resplendent attire, which defined her position and social status as the wife of Imo state number two citizen.

    Speaking at the event, Madumere expressed gratitude for how God has been merciful to him and his family, especially for seeing the wife through “the pregnancy period to the time of delivery without any problem”.

    The elated Madumere who relaxed protocol to mingle freely with all the worshipers at the Church service, blessed the new daughter, praying that she will “grow in wisdom and knowledge of God”.

    He assured that they will not shirk their responsibility of brining her up in the fear and way of the Lord.

    The Deputy Governor thanked the people for coming to share with the family in their moment of joy.

    The Chaplain of The Chapel of Praise, Ven. Dr. Sunday Iherue,  who dedicated the child to God,  prayed God to “grant those who are looking for the fruit of the womb their heart desires”.

    He encouraged the congregation to always believe in the God, keep his words and be patient, stating that God has plans for everyone who worships Him in spirit and in truth.

    In his sermon, titled, ‘It is My Time’, the cleric, urged Christians to be consistent and faithful in what they do.

    He charged all and sundry to borrow a leaf from the biblical Esther “who remained prayerful, maintained good conduct and won the heart of the king”.

    The Chaplain however warned the people against hurrying into decisions that will bring them to ruin, due to what he called temporary challenges

    At the end of the event, expectedly, everyone had enough to eat and drink as they wished the baby God’s continued protection and the best things life can offer.

  • Imo 2019: Options open to Madumere

    After months of diplomatic handling of their political face-off, Governor Rochas Okorocha and the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, have finally parted ways. As the race for the governorship seat in 2019 gathers momentum, Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu, reports on the options left for Madumere

    AlThough he is not the only aspirant in the forthcoming 2019 governorship election in Imo State, informed observers are particularly interested in the fortunes of the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere. A top chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and close associate of Governor Rochas Okorocha, outsiders and most members of the Okorocha’s political family had, for a long time, taken it for granted that Madumere would be Okorocha’s obvious choice to succeed him in 2019. This was because of the robust relationship between the two and Madumere’s acknowledged total loyalty to the governor, who he served for over 25 years.

    But the intrigues that have trailed Imo State politics since the entrance into the race of Uche Nwosu, the governor’s son-in-law, have since changed the permutations. For long, both the governor and his deputy treaded the path of departure with utmost care, leaving observers confused. Even when the governor was quoted as endorsing Nwosu, some of his associates said it did not mean dumping of Madumere, as, according to them, it probably meant the governor may allow all his political sons to vie in free and fair primaries for the ticket of the party.

    But when, earlier this month, Okorocha told newsmen that the Deputy Governor, Madumere, “has betrayed him”, it became clear that at last the battle line has been drawn. Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha has decried the attitude of his deputy, Prince Eze Madumere, saying he never imagined that he would betray him.

    Speaking in Owerri, Okorocha, who described his deputy as his “most trusted lieutenant for the past 25 years,” said he had initially penciled down some people, including his deputy as his successor, but embarked on the process of selection and elimination based on some parameters and finally chose his Chief of Staff, Mazi Uche Nwosu, his son-in-law, as his successor.

    The declaration came to many as a rude shock. The awkward situation was further confirmed when words had it that concrete moves were actually made at the Imo State House of Assembly to impeach the embattled deputy governor in order to weaken him and pave way for the governor’s choice. Observers who doubted the depth of the face-off because of the close relationship between Madumere and Okorocha were finally forced to swallow their words when the Deputy Governor had to park out of his official quarters recently.

    Following the development, concerned observers are today eager to know the options left to Madumere. Will he leave the APC platform for Okorocha’s choice or will he remain in the party and fight for the ticket though the governor has made public his resolve to prop-up his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu? If he decides to fight on for the ticket of the party, what are his chances of defeating the incumbent governor? If he is forced out of the political party under the circumstances to fight against his boss and the APC platform, what are his likely destinations and who are likely going to be his willing alliances against Okorocha and Uche Nwosu? If he chose any of the other political parties, like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the United Progressive Party (UPP) or even the Social Democratic Party (SDP), what kind of impact is he likely to make?

    Divided APC and Rescue Mission team

    One of the options left for Madumere is to remain in APC and slug it out with the loyalist of Governor Okorocha. Insiders who pleaded not to be named confided that this seems to be the option so far chosen by the deputy governor. “From his utterances and actions so far, it seems Prince Madumere has decided to stay put and contest for the APC ticket. I do not have to tell you that this is a tough option because Owelle Rochas Okorocha, as we know, is in firm control of the political party in Imo State here. But of course, APC is beyond Imo. A lot of the electorates in Imo are angry over the alleged determination of the governor to dump his trusted loyalist and impose his son-in-law. Such electorates may not influence who would fly APC’s flag in the governorship election, but they may easily be persuaded to cast protest votes.”

    The decision to remain in APC in spite of the governor’s decision to back Nwosu, may be as a result of the fact that the state APC is clearly factionalised today. Madumere obviously have supporters in APC and so he may be banking on the permutation that in the primaries, the people, not the governor would make the final choice.  The Nation investigation shows that even before the final drawing of the battle lines, Imo APC, perhaps because of the long-drawn intrigues, had been fragmented into what is today described as “the Destiny and Rescue Mission camps. Within these fragments of what used to be a united political family, are the Eze Madumere camp, the Jude Ejiogu’s camp, the Tony Ololo’s camp and the Uche Nwosu’s camp, amongst others. Insiders confided that all efforts to mend the frictions have failed woefully and today, it will require a miracle for the original Okorocha’s political family to contest the 2019 elections as a united political front. Considering the towering image of Owelle in Imo APC, however, it still needs to be seen, if these splinter groups will actually vote against the governor on the D-day. But a source in Owerri explained on Friday that, “even within the governor’s in-laws, the division has become obvious and openly discussed.” According to the source, “recently, when Governor Okorocha observed the absence of Mrs. Ololo in a meeting on March 31st, he allegedly accused the lady of joining the husband, Chuks Ololo, to kick the governor.”

    In an earlier report before the governor publicly named Nwosu as his choice, we have reported that family pressure was the primary factor responsible for the long succession intrigues in Imo. A source had confided then that within the immediate family of the governor, members have different candidates and may have been piling up pressure on the governor to consider their choices. “Many of you think the governor is only considering his son-in-law, Hon. Uche Nwosu, but I can assure you that there are many other family members on the line. As we speak, not all the members of the first family here are pushing for the governor to endorse Nwosu. I can reveal to you that Nwosu is not the only son-in-law to the governor that is currently being positioned for the job. In fact, about two other family members are also vying for the governorship seat and they have support within the family, not to talk of the interest of Aunty Jeraldine, who, you must know, is a strong influence on Owelle. So, the matter is more complicated than you can imagine,” the source said.

    Given such complications, some supporters of Madumere said, during the week that he can stay in APC, make the right alliances and win the APC ticket against all odds.

    PDP, APGA, UPP or SDP options

    Another option open for Madumere is to dump APC at this stage and contest the election on the ticket of any of the popular political parties in the state. According to Dr. Okechukwu Nwachukwu, a political analyst in Owerri, “Prince Madumere is today seen as one of the few aspirants that can match the Okorocha-backed Uche Nwosu in the next election. This is because he is a member of the political family, who many Imolites still see as the right person to be given APC ticket after Owelle. So, now that they are trying to push him out, other political parties can use him against APC. Popular political parties here like PDP, APGA or UPP will make great impact if they field Madumere. Of course, there are other political heavyweights interested in Imo State’s governorship seat. Knowing Owelle’s capacity, some of them may be wise and align with Madumere, if he is denied APC ticket,” he said.

    But The Nation investigation shows that most of the leading political parties already have strong aspirants who may not easily trade their aspiration except they are convinced it is the only practical way to go. In PDP, for example, we have at least four major governorship aspirants. They include the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha, former Imo State Governor, Ikedi Ohakim, Senator Athan Achonu and Hon.Tony Nwulu.

    In APGA, the Deputy National Organising Secretary of the party, Mr. Steve Nwoga, the Chief Executive Officer, of A. B. C. Transport Company, Mr. Frank Nneji, Mr. Okey Ezeh, a former Commissioner of Information to Okorocha; Mr. Uche Onyeagucha, Mr. Ike Ibeh, David Mbamara and Mr. Obi Njoku, amongst others have been named as possible governorship aspirants.

    UPP, which is yet to float many names as governorship aspirants, has Prince Eleazar Onyewuchi Ogbonna, a United Kingdom based business tycoon as one of the possible aspirants. Assessing the possibility of Madumere contesting on the platform of any of the opposition political parties, Chief Sunday Ogbonna from Mbano said: “One thing that is certain today is that Madumere will contest the election even if APC denies him ticket. The talk of a possible alliance is rife both in PDP and APGA although some of the top aspirants in those parties may not hear of it now. I do not know if Madumere himself is making such moves as he seems convinced he can fight his way through in APC. But you can quote me that if APC denies him ticket, Owerri zone and all the other lovers of fairness are poised to negotiate alliances that will make him a strong candidate in the election.”

    The political atmosphere is electric today as observers contemplate what will be the political fortunes of the Deputy Governor in 2019.

    Unlike before, when secrecy governed the campaigns and the moves, even Madumere is bold today to say no one can stop his ambition. On why he was determined to contest he told newsmen recently: “What drives my ambition to occupy the position of the governor of Imo State, come 2019, is my vision to raise the living standards of our people with well researched people oriented economic blueprint with a view to creating wealth adopting an approach that will make it trickle down to even the lowest cadre of our populace. I know that youths occupy about 66% of the Nigerian population, which deductively trickles down to our state. I believe in human capital development and I believe in empowerment that is sustainable through small, medium scale enterprise.

    “The difference this time is that we must anchor it on areas of comparative advantage. Make no mistake to believe that I am in the race for personal vendetta. God forbid. I bear no grudges. At least you all know that I have served meritoriously and that by my training I am a seasoned administrator with exposure like no other. I have operated at the higher echelon in the private sector starting from Corporate America to Nigerian private sector and then to the public sector. And by the special grace of God, I have excelled in every responsibility I have ever been assigned to handle together with the ones I took up myself”; he said.

    The race has started. Given the tone of the language and the actions of the principal actors, the maneuverings of the 2019 governorship election in Imo seem certain to thrill.

     

  • 2019: Will Madumere’s declaration divide Okorocha’s political family?

    2019: Will Madumere’s declaration divide Okorocha’s political family?

    Since the Deputy-Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere,  declared intention to run for the governorship seat in 2019, there has been speculation that his decision may divide Governor Rochas Okorocha’s political family before the forthcoming election. Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu, reports on the prospects and the fears 

    LONG before he declared interest to contest the 2018 governorship election in Imo State, there has been wide speculation that the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, was poised to succeed Governor Rochas Okorocha. Insiders and informed observers of the All Progressives Congress-led state government of Imo State said he is both favoured and positioned to succeed his political mentor. Besides being one of the oldest associates of the governor within the ruling political family, he is a known confidant of Owelle and is highly favoured by what some analysts call the “zoning factor.”

    But ironically, since the report of Madumere’s declaration of interest to contest for the plum job was made public, there has been apprehension that the expression of his interest at this point in time may divide Okorocha’s political family in Imo State.

    It all began Thursday, towards the end of January, when the Owerri prince finally disclosed his readiness to join the 2019 governorship race after years of silence on his political ambition.

    Madumere, who is from Owerri zone, which has not produced a governor since the return of democracy in 1999, said he is eminently qualified to succeed his boss, Governor Rochas Okorocha.

    That day, Madumere played host to the executive members of All Progressives Congress (APC) from Mbaitoli. In the course of the colourful event, the APC chieftains formally endorsed the Deputy Governor as their “sole candidate for the 2019 gubernatorial election.”

    Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Uche Onwuchekwa, the Deputy Governor, for the first time responded to the recurring invitation when he said he has decided to heed the calls across the state and beyond to contest the 2019 election in the interest of the people of the state that have shown him overwhelming support and solidarity.

    The impact of the declaration on the political texture of the state has been great as any informed observer of the politics of the state would expect. While some said it is an expected development, others expressed fear that it may change a lot of things both within the Imo ruling family and the state APC.

    Some of the concerned observers, who expressed this fear, contend that in spite of the growing popularity of the Deputy Governor among some APC chieftains as the right successor of Owelle, the governor may have someone else in mind, citing what they described as his body language in the last one year; a fact they said may cause a fatal division within the ruling political family.

    Responding in a telephone chat on Thursday this week, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Rochas Okorocha, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, however told The Nation that the report of the alleged declaration of the Deputy Governor to contest elections in 2019 has not caused any division in the political family and will never cause any crack. “Governor Rochas Okorocha is a new generation democrat. I can assure you he would not stand on the way of any aspirant to the governorship seat in Imo. Since the news item you made reference to was published, the robust relationship between the Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, and the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, has remained as cordial as ever. The Governor will not stop any of his people from pursuing their political ambitions. He is a true democrat. Also, the political family is intact and will remain so; you can quote me that any claim of division within the Okorocha political family is the handiwork of enemies of this government and of progress,” he said.

    The Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Uche Onwuchekwa, also confirmed Onwuemeodo’s claim that all is well. He told The Nation that there is no problem between the Governor and the Deputy Governor. “No, there is no problem here, the relationship between the Governor and the Deputy Governor is still as affectionate as it has ever been,” he said, denying any claim of sudden division.

     

    More like a family

    Our investigation shows that Prince Eze Madumere’s relationship with Governor Rochas Okorocha is more like a family member than just a trusted political associate. In fact, since 1998 gubernatorial elections in Nigeria, when he served as the Director for Women and Youth Mobilization for Owelle Rochas Okorocha’s campaign in Imo State, under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Madumere has remained not just a key associate of Okorocha but a principal tactician of the political family’s activities, a job he continued in 2002, when he served as chief strategist on media and logistics for Okorocha’s presidential bid under the platform of ANPP (20022003).

    So, by the time Okorocha came out for his 2011 Imo State governorship bid, Madumere had been acknowledged, even by members of the then emerging political group, as one of the brains behind the formation of and a principal field commander that put in place what is today referred to as Okorocha’s political family in Imo State.

    According to the source, that is why, when Okorocha eventually emerged the governor of Imo State, May 6, 2011, Madumere was first given the strategic position of Chief of Staff to the Governor, a position that put him at the centre of the campaigns for Okorocha’s re-election on April 11, 2015 and more importantly, a position that enabled him to contribute immensely in the articulation and promotion of the Rescue Mission ideology and operations of the Okorocha-led government. He later emerged the Deputy Governor of the state, following the impeachment of the former Deputy Governor, Jude Agbaso.

    Giving insight into the depth of his relationship with the governor way back in September 2016, Madumere had said in an interview, “I understand the vision of my boss. I feel his pulse in his passion to render service to humanity. In all these, keep it simple and ensure you make input to make your leader succeed because that is one of the reasons he has me around.

    “He is gifted. You should also pray that God grants you the grace to be able to understand him at every point in time, interpret his vision and you must be proactive to ensure a smooth sail of work plans. Again, always show deference to your father irrespective of your knowledge, exposure or whatever because such is the heavenly prize you must pay in gratitude. What Governor Okorocha has exposed me to in his magnanimity is nothing money can buy,” he said.

    Such is the intimacy between Madumere and the governor that many members of the political family and close observers could swear that nothing can separate them politically.

    Succession intrigues

    Events in the last one year and what some observers described as the body language of Governor Okorocha however suggest that all may no longer be well. In fact, since the issue of Okorocha’s succession took the front burner in Imo State politics, there have been insinuations that the governor may have been persuaded by some forces to consider looking at another direction instead of Madumere. The Nation investigation shows that family pressure may be primarily responsible to the successor intrigues currently playing out in the state’s seat of power. A source confided that within the immediate family of the governor, members have different candidates and may have been piling up pressure on the governor to consider their choices. “Many of you think the governor is only considering his son-in-law, Hon. Uche Nwosu, but I can assure you that there are many other family members on the line. As we speak, not all the members of the first family here are pushing for the governor to endorse Nwosu. I can reveal to you that Nwosu is not the only son-in-law to the governor that is currently being positioned for the job. In fact, about two other family members are also vying for the governorship seat and they have support within the family, not to talk of the interest of Aunty Jeraldine, who, you must know, is a strong influence on Owelle. So, the matter is more complicated than you can imagine,” the source said.

     

    Okorocha’s body language

    Although Okorocha has never said openly that he would not support the candidacy of his deputy, some of his utterances have been adduced to conclude that he has been toying with the idea of dumping Madumere. The first is his open rejection of zoning formula, which should favour Madumere’s Owerri zone, the only zone that has not produced a governor since 1999.

    Another utterance is his declaration that nobody above 50 years of age will succeed him as governor of the state. For some time, it was considered a mere rumour but the governor was quoted on March 5, 2017 as repeating that statement in Owerri, the state capital, while speaking as a Special Guest of Honour at the occasion marking the beginning of the 2016/2017 legal year in the state. Considering that Madumere is from Owerri zone and is slightly above 50, analysts wondered if the utterances were the governor’s way of declining support for Madumere, who is considered his most trusted aide.

     

    Okorocha’s dilemma

    Apart from the stated restrictions which Okorocha’s critics said were glaring indications of what he intends to do and which some predict would likely lead to open division within his tightly held political family, close observers of APC politics in Imo said Owelle is also encumbered with many other political challenges. An APC chieftain in the state, who pleaded not to be named, confided to The Nation that until the last re-run governorship election in Imo State, Governor Okorocha led a single, united APC in the state, where he was an unchallenged emperor. But following the stiff challenge, Hon. Emeka Ihediola-led PDP governorship team gave him in the run-up to that election, the governor had to enter into an alliance with some other top politicians like Senator Ifeanyichukwu Godwin Araraume. According to our source, this union and a few other alliances that helped to ensure Okorocha’s re-election gave birth to a new state APC, an APC chapter that may no longer be described strictly as a one man association.

    So, besides the problem of his political son to succeed him in 2019, it seems Okorocha is currently burdened by the interest of the other stakeholders like Araraume and what can now be described as the ‘third force’ in the state chapter of the party, that is the group led by Hon. Emeka Nwajiuba. As our source puts it, “The governor’s lot is complex, very complicated. He is under pressure within his immediate family to make a choice. Members of his political family, who labored to nurture the movement, are watching with increasing frustration even as the new alliances within the APC in the state are poised to put up a fight. I think Owelle will need God’s grace to do the right thing and save the party before 2019 elections.”

    What would constitute the right move for Owelle Rochas Okorocha remains to be seen even as the apprehension within all the interest groups continuous to mount.

  • No rift with Imo governor – Madumere

    No rift with Imo governor – Madumere

    Imo State Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, Wednesday described as malicious and unfounded, reports of disaffection between him and the State Governor, Rochas Okorocha.

    There have been insinuations that the cordial relationship between the Deputy Governor and the Governor has completely broken down following incisive statements against the state government by political leaders from Owerri zone, where the Deputy Governor comes from.

    It was also alleged that the Governor had suspected his Deputy of being the brain behind the agitations Owerri zone for the 2019 governorship election.

    But when contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Mr. Uche Onwuchekwa, dismissed the allegation as a figment of the imaginations of the peddlers.

    He insisted that the relationship between the Deputy Governor and his boss, the Governor is even more cordial now than it used to be, adding that, “those spreading such falsehood are only trying to sow seed of discord between the two personalities who have been like father and son for over two decades”.

    According to him, “the Deputy Governor’s loyalty and commitment to the Rescue Mission administration has been tested and proven. The fact that has been giving some sycophants and political jobbers sleepless night is how they remained close all these years unlike what obtains in other states where Governors and their Deputies live like cat and dog. Even as we speak, he is representing the Governor in an international assignment”.

    Onwuchekwa also disclosed that, “the Deputy Governor sees himself first as an Imo man and is not given to politics of division and could not possibly incite any zone to overheat the polity. I think these mischievous politicians and their co-travelers are only envious of the Deputy Governor’s rising profile and may have been commissioned by the enemies of the state government to cause disaffection between him and his boss to derail the administration”.

     

  • Imo deputy governor donates to military hospital

    Imo deputy governor donates to military hospital

    IMO State Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, has donated a digital dental chair to Obinze 34 Artillery Brigade, Imo State

    Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of the equipment before the members of Obinze 34 Artillary Brigade community and neighbouring communities yesterday, the Garrison Commander, Gen.,T. A Adedoja, on behalf of the Brigade Commander, Gen. Bello, and the entire Artillery Brigade thanked the deputy governor for his magnanimity.

    He also assured that the military hospital in the Brigade will make judicious use of the equipment for the benefits of its numerous patients.

    In his statement after the commissioning of the equipment, Madumere expressed happiness over the installation of the equipment.

    He narrated a story of the sorry state of the dental unit on his visit to the Artillery Brigade during the last Armed Forces Remembrance Day having underscored the strategic importance of the military hospital. He therefore made a promise to help to procure befitting equipment following the reliance of the people on the hospital both within and outside the barracks.

    Madumere gave credit to Governor Rochas Okorocha who taught them to give and to reach out to the down trodden. He described Okorocha as one of the rarest and greatest givers ever known.

     

  • Imo: Chief of Staff sworn-in as Deputy governor

    The former Chief of Staff to Imo state governor, Prince Eze Madumere has been sworn-in as the new Deputy Governor of the state.
    Madumere replaces Sir Jude Agbaso who was impeached during the week by the  State House of Assembly for allegedly  demanding as gratification from Mr. Joseph Dina, the Managing Director of JPROS Int’l Ltd, a Lebanese company handling some of the major road projects in the state.
    Governor Rochas Okorocha urged the new deputy governor to discharge his duties diligently and selflessly.
    He urged Madmere not to be found wanting in his new position advising that “For you to succeed in this job, you must think less of yourself and think more of the people. You must never think of the next election but the future of the next generation.

    “You must also hate the idea of primitive accumulation of wealth. Let me say to all of you that a day must come when all of us must bow before God; a day that need no EFCC, no Police and Army to stand on issue of accountability. So, be guided by the fear of God knowing that one day, this job will end”.
    The governor described the circumstance that led to the removal of the former deputy governor as unfortunate, adding that his relationship with Sir Jude Agbaso remains cordial.
    ” I have to miss the former deputy governor, Sir Jude Agbaso whom I worked with and whom I have very unique love for. The circumstances that led to his removal are very unfortunate and I want to use this opportunity to wish him well in his future endeavor”.
    Earlier in his speech, the new deputy governor promised to remain focused and committed to the doctrines of  the  Okorocha-led Rescue Mission administration.