As other political parties in Imo State and their members are still wandering and waiting for the name of their authentic Governorship candidate in the 2019 election, the Peoples Democratic Party PDP has already stepped up to another level, which is the issue of who will deputise for its Governorship candidate, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha.
According to information available to this Newspaper, many prominent sons and daughters of Imo State are ready to work for Ihedioha as Deputy, but only waiting for the Governorship candidate and the PDP to beckon on them for the plum job of Deputy Governorship candidate.
Sources told Trumpeta that Ihedioha is yet to make up his mind on who to chose as his Deputy, as he needs to consult widely, based on zoning and how to reach at a particular person as a result of a plethora of eminent personalities in his campaign camp from other zones of Imo State.
It is obviously clear, Trumpeta learnt, that Ihedioha will pick his Deputy either from Orlu or Okigwe zone, depending on advice from his political strategists.
Already, some individuals have been tipped as jostling for the second position in the Imo PDP Governorship race.
Among them are Chief Vincent Udokwu, the current Campaign-General of Ihedioha campaign organization, Hon Gerald Ironna, the National Deputy Auditor of PDP, Rt Hon Chuma Nnaji, Ihedioha’s former Deputy in the last election.
There are also Rt Hon Stan Onyirimba, Hon Eze Mayor and Others. Trumpeta also learnt that Ihedioha strategists are considering the Women Factor, and may advise their Principal to go for a woman as his Deputy to lure the women folk to his side.
Trumpeta also learnt that apart from those mentioned here, other names may likely join the list as PDP harmonizes all structures to stand as one strong force in the general election.
Sources also said that in choosing his Deputy, Ihedioha may consider political loyalty and total obedience, if what happened between Gov Rochas Okorocha and his Deputies must be put into account.
Although Chuma Nnaji worked perfectly well with Ihedioha in 2015, it still remains to be seen if the Governorship candidate will consider the former Deputy Speaker, Imo House of Assembly in 2019.
The issue of Dr Vin Udokwu remains a constant story, as many envisage that his relationship with a former Governor of Imo His Excellency, Chief Achike Udenwa will clinch it for him.
Hon Ironna would have returned to the National Assembly in 2015, but many say his loyalty to Ihedioha caused him the slot in his Federal Constituency Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta/Oru West.
Will Ihedioha “recall” Gerald Ironna from PDP National office in Abuja to work as his Deputy in 2019 as a pay-back for constant loyalty?
Mayor Eze, a former Federal Lawmaker is also of Udenwa’s Redemption camp. Will Ihedioha consider him as his Deputy?
Rt Hon Stanford Onyirimba is the only man among the lot that is from Okigwe zone that is being considered. He was a constant sight all through Ihedioha’s consultations across Imo State.
Will this former Majority Leader of Imo House of Assembly make the list?
For now, Imo people, especially those of PDP stock have all kept their fingers crossed, with their ears glued to the ground, waiting when Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, the candidate of PDP would make his first “Appointment” as the chosen one to steer the Ship of Imo Governorship under PDP.
However, indications are that Ihedioha will not make a wrong choice, as his experience in the Shark-infested waters of Imo politics has given the Aboh Mbaise born politician enough lesson not to disappoint his teeming PDP members and his numerous supporters.
