Orlu 2023: Okorocha’s chances of returning to the Senate dims
The likeliness of former Govenror of Imo State, and Senator representing Orlu Zone, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, to return to the Senate for a second term, have been under serious threat, since his falling out with Senator Hope Uzodinma.
The two powerful politicians from Orlu Zone, have been locked in battle, over who takes control of the party in the state.
Okorocha, who backed the Daniel Nwafor faction of the party, was faced against Uzodinma who backed the Marcon Nlemigbo faction.
Following the dissolution of the Daniel Nwafor faction, despite their victories in court over Nlemigbo, the National Body of the party, have handed power back to Nlemigbo who has the blessings of the governor, leaving Okorocha as an orphan in the party, with no control over any structure in the party.
His lack of control of the party structure, and his turbulent relationship with Uzodinma, threatens his ability to get the party’s ticket in 2023.
A recent publication by a local newspaper in Owerri, exposed the dangers facing Okorocha’s political survival, as Orlu leaders are said to have started shopping for his replacement, with a former National Organizing Secretary of the party, and close ally of Hope Uzodinma, Senator Osita Izunaso, topping the list of those prepped to unseat Okorocha.
The former govenror may be left with no other choice, than to defect from the APC to probably the main opposition in the state, the PDP, if he hopes to return for a second term in office.
The emergence of Senator Ifeanyi Araraume to represent Okigwe, will be a tipping scale for both Uzodinma and Okorocha, which is why Okorocha is bent in ensuring Araraume is declared winner of the Bye-election, while Uzodinma is doing his best to install his own candidate, Frank Ibezim as the candidate of the party and winner of the election.
With Araraume and Okorocha in the Senate, Uzodinma would have a very difficult if not impossible task remaining holding the party structure to himself. But with Ibezim in the Senate, the job becomes easier for Uzodinma to control the party and cage Okorocha.
