Imo Speaker Emeziem denies Araraume’s claims

The new Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Paul Emeziem have denied claims by the APC Senate Candidate for the Okigwe Senate Bye-election, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, that he made Emeziem the speaker of the Imo State Assembly.

Araraume during his campaign visit to Onuimo, the home Local Government of the new speaker, told the people of Onuimo, that he helped Emeziem into the State Assembly and as such, he was instrumental to Emeziem becoming speaker of the State Assembly.

Emeziem, in a publication on a local tabloid, denied getting help from anybody to get to the State Assembly, claiming God a d self help got him into the State Assembly.

By his declaration, Emeziem denied that Araraume played a part in him getting to the State Assembly, or becoming speaker.

Political analysts however fault the speaker, stating that without Araraume’s involvement, he Emeziem, and all the other APGA candidates, would not have won their elections.

Araraume was the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance APGA, in the 2019 General Election, and delivered the six local governments that make up Okigwe Zone to APGA.

Political analysts believe that the new speaker made the statement, to maintain a cordial relationship with Senator Hope Uzodinma, so that he can last in the seat.

The former Speaker Chiji Collins, was believed to have been impeached due to his relationship with Senator Ifeanyi Araraume.

Araraume is presently locked in a political supremacy battle with Uzodinma.

Uzodinma had been opposed to Araraume’s candidacy, and had attempted to install another candidate Frank Ibezim in Okigwe APC, but Araraume had removed him through the court.

There are indications that Uzodinma may be backing the candidate of another party, against Araraume, who is the candidate of his own party.