Okorocha Makes Secret Moves To Choose New Running Mate For 2015 Election

Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha is about ruffling feathers
in his All Progressives Congress party (APC) following his unclear
moves to get a running mate for the 2015 elections.

Trumpeta had in its last edition reported that the two frontline
favourites, the Deputy Governor and Chief of Staff, Prince Eze
Madumere and Chief Jude Ejiogu respectively, have been shoved aside in
the running mate race as Okorocha is favoured to pick someone from
Mbaise clan.

Following the outbreak of the governor's plan, Trumpeta further learnt
that the governor has recoiled to himself preferring to handle the
matter secretly to avoid disaffection in his political party. The
earlier permutation that his campaign Director General and
Commissioner serving in the state, Hon. Alaribe may likely be favoured
to run with Okorocha since he is from the same political bloc with the
PDP candidate, Emeka Ihedioha.

Fresh reports reaching Trumpeta is that Okorocha is reconsidering the
Mbaise factor for some reasons. The newspaper gathered that picking
any person outside the aforementioned able lieutenants may cause
disaffecrtion and spell doom for the party in the state in the coming
elections. The government House sources revealed that should Okorocha
go ahead to dump Madumere and Ejiogu, he may not continue to enjoy
quality leadership and loyalists from the said office holders, hence
his decision to adopt subterranean means for the search of a running
mate.

To erase mutual suspicion, the source stated that a secret search for
a candidate from Okigwe zone has begun in earnest. The Okigwe zone
agenda is to leave Owerri zone to Ihedioha and carry the favour of
Okigwe which will be added to his Orlu zone to emerge victorious.

Another factor that is said to be a major hindrance to Okorocha's
Mbaise deputy is the fact that the state party chairman, Chief Hilary
Eke is also from Mbaise. The idea of giving Mbaise the party Chairman
and Deputy Governor position is said to be counter productive, capable
of rousing protest votes in other parts of Owerri zone like Mbaike and
Owerri Federal Constituency where the major contenders, Madumere and
Ejiogu are from.

The source further revealed that Okorocha has gone underground in the
search for a running mate as it is no longer a subject for discussion
in Government House.

"It has become a secret matter, nobody is talking about the Deputy
Governorship position again because it is strictly the decision of the
governor. He is going about it in a secret way.

"I can inform you that no top shot in government circle or in
Okorocha's camp is aware of what the governor is doing about the issue
of running mate," the source added.
--Trumpeta