It was clash of the Titans in both Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] and All Progressives Grand Alliance [APGA] yesterday a
s the parties gathered to elect their flag bearers for 2015 gubernatorial election in Imo State.
With the Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha winning the PDP primaries with 346 votes against Sen. Ifeanyi Araraume who scored 336 to come second, former Governor Ikedi Ohakim came third with 213 votes.
Others are Charles Onuoha, 0 vote; Chuka Odom, 1 vote; Obi Adim, 0 vote; Prof Jude Njoku, 8 votes; Bright Nwanne, 46 votes; Anumudu, 20 votes; Chris Anyanwu, 10 votes and Bethel Amadi, 15 votes.
Meanwhile celebration in the camp of Hon. Ihedioha was disrupted by emerging reports that 10 void votes were counted for the Mbaise born politician and according the reports, Sen. Araraume has sworn to get to the end of it.
Should this be true, Hon. Ihedioha will go down to 336 votes forcing a tie which could lead to more controversies.
But just like it was preplanned, another unconfirmed report has it that Sen. Chris Anyanwu who scored 10 votes earlier stepped down for Sen. Araraume and it has been alleged that her votes are supposed to count for Sen. Araraume who will then be topping the table with 346 votes should the 10 void votes be deducted from Hon. Ihedioha.
Sen. Araraume Who is the in-law of Abia State governor pulled the greatest surprise on the primaries while former Governor, Ikedi Ohakim who was alleged to have hijacked the party delegate list was humiliated again to third position.
PDP leaders and the electoral panel are presently meeting to resolve this issue.
In another development, it was another war between Okey Ezeh and Capt. Ihenacho both of All Progressives Grand Alliance [APGA] as both emerged as flag bearers through two different primary elections while APC postponed their guber primaries again, giving weight to the claims that incumbent governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha is reserving the ticket for himself, should he fail in his bid to become APC presidential flag bearer.
Another report emanating from APC camp has it that son-in-law to the governor, Hon. Uche Nwosu has been given the ticket for the moment, fueling speculations that the likes of the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere and Chief of Staff, Sir Jude Ejiogu are not trusted for the task.
Amidst the Hon. Uche Nwosu report, another source from the government house has also claimed that Prince Madumere is favourite for the ticket.
Meanwhile, at the Senate level, it will be an off-court battle between Sen. Osita Izunaso [APC] and Senator Hope Uzodinma [PDP] for the Orlu Senatorial Zone election in 2015, with both men having fought for the mandate in court in 2011.
Owerri Senatorial Zone will be between Uche Onyeagocha [APC] Hon. Samdaddy Anyanwu [PDP] while Okigwe Senatorial Zone will between Incumbent Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Benjamin Uwajumogu [APC] and Hon. Samdaddy Anyanwu and Athan Ochonu [One Arm General] [PDP]
