The plan is to retire Araraume politically

With the way things are going in Okigwe, it seems there has been a plan with the sole aim of retiring Senator Ifeanyi Araraume politically within Okigwe, and across the State.

Without a doubt, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume is a strong political force to contend with in Imo State. He singlehandedly delivered Okigwe Zone to the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in the last election, after coming from APC days to the primaries to dismantle other powerful structures in the party, including that of a former Govenror, and taking away the ticket of the party.

Araraume in 2015 also returned Rochas Okorocha as Govenror of Imo State, after losing out at the PDP primaries to Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha.

He gave Okorocha Okigwe and defeated Ihedioha controversially.

Even the last election that was held across the state, being the House of Representatives reruns in Okigwe North and Orlu area where Hope Uzodinma comes from, Araraume delivered for APC but Uzodinma lost to the PDP.

Without a doubt, Araraume is a threat to many political interests in the state, who wouldn’t mind retiring him from politics.

What is happening in Okigwe today, seems to be the first move towards ensuring he doesn’t return in 2023 for the Govenroship ticket of the party.

Hope Uzodinma knows that having Araraume in the Senate, puts him at a very precarious situation. Already, he is at war with the former Govenror Rochas Okorocha, who is the senator representing Orlu Zone. Owerri zone is already in the hands of the PDP and losing Okigwe to Araraume not only means that he doesn’t have a senator on his side, but the duo of Okorocha and Araraume, can make things very difficult for him in Abuja as well as the party.

Uzodinma’s safest bet, would be to install somebody he can manage. Somebody who knows next to nothing about politics, and who wouldn’t be a problem for him in any way.

Enters Frank Ibezim.

The junior Minister for Education Emeka Nwajiuba, also had interests in Okigwe, and is very interested in making sure Araraume is retired politically.

With Araraume out of the way, it paves the way for Nwajiuba to become the new lord of the manor in Okigwe, deciding who gets what in the zone.

It also positions him well to become Imo Govenror when Hope Uzodinma steps down and Okigwe comes to demand for their term in office. If Araraume is not stopped, Araraume could go on to become the party’s candidate and even Govenror, and this would ensure Nwajiuba never becomes Govenror of Imo State.

Several other interests in Okigwe such as Chikwem Onuoha, who feel dwarfed by Araraume’s shadow, will do whatever it takes, and join whatever alliance they need to join, to ensure Araraume is retired politically, to give them a chance to shine politically.

With the legal fireworks that had been generating since the APC Primaries, and yesterday’s confusing judgements, they all may have succeeded in ensuring Araraume is retired from politics at the cost of losing yet another zone to PDP.

If APC doesn’t get their acts together today and afterwards, PDP may end up going to Abuja.