Imo by-election: APC  raises alarm over substitution of candidate

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Uncertainties are on the air in the Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress(APC) over the identity of the candidate of the party submitted for the Imo North( Okigwe zone) Senatorial by-election.

Suspense has no doubt enveloped the entire zone in particular and state at large over suspicions related to the substitution of candidate’s name, as the party was yet to formally disclose the name of their flag bearer in the September 3, 2020 party primary.

In order to beat the deadline created for submission of names to the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), Nation update gathered that the APC has submitted the name of Frank Ibezim which they intend to substitute later.

However, while it is believed that the name of Ibezim was submitted to INEC, following an acknowledgment letter of the electoral body made public through their social media handles, feelers are that change of name of candidate may secretly be effected to reflect some wishes.

Ararume

While some inside reports have it that the name of senator Ifeanyi Ararume has been pencilled to be substituted with, there are other subterranean moves to have Emeka Nwajiuba, the Minister of State for Education substituted with.

High powered political scheming in Abuja and the national party office are said be on to ensure that the name of Ararume who also emerged victorious through the result released by a faction of the committee raised to conduct the primaries makes the final list as the party’s candidate for the Okigwe zone election.

With the allegation of certificate impropriety hanging on Ibezim’s candidature on one hand, and the allegation of his being planted by Nwajiuba to make for easy sail going by the affinity between the two politicians of Ehime Mbano descent.

Nwajiuba is believed to be behind the candidature of Ibezim with the support of other powerful backups at high level. It was alleged he planted Ibezim to secure the ticket which he would in turn relinquish to him through substitution.

Okafor

The Minister a political strategist moved from the House of Representatives to the ministerial position almost when he was about to lose the seat to the incumbent Chike Okafor at the court.

There are feelers that he is still nursing senatorial ambition that will give him more edge and strong footing in realising his future political ambition.

There are other factors in Nwajiuba’s ambition that may not be undermined, the various political understandings between him and the state governor, Senator hope Uzodimma.