Opinion: Is Hope Uzodinma attempting to retire Okorocha and Araraume politically?

With the political persecution being suffered in Imo State by the duo of Senators Rochas Okorocha and Ifeanyi Araraume, at the hands of Senator Hope Uzodinma, the man they installed through the Supreme Court, it seems Uzodinma is bent on retiring them politically in the state.

Their battle started with who was in control of the party in the state, with Uzodinma favouring the Marcon Nlemigbo leadership, that worked with him during the elections, while Okorocha favoured the Daniel Nwafor faction.

Araraume was not fully in the picture, as an enemy to Senator Hope Uzodinma, until he declared for the vacant Okigwe Senate seat, made vacant by the untimely demise of late Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu.

Uzodinma made it clear, that he would not support Araraume’s ambition, despite the fact that Araraume was contributory to his removal of Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha.

To totally render Araraume politically defeated and irrelevant in Okigwe, Uzodinma presented an unknown face in the person of Frank Ibezim. If a political greenhorn can defeat Araraume, who is believed to have Okigwe in his back pocket, the myth of his political sagacity and invincibility in Okigwe would be defeated.

So far, Uzodinma seems to be succeeding in that regard, as Araraume is baring hanging on in court, having been defeated severally by the political newcomer Ibezim.

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A final defeat of Araraume, by Ibezim, would probably signal the beginning of the political retirement of Agu Isiebu, as Araraume is dubbed by his supporters.

Within the party, Uzodinma seems to have successfully winged Okorocha, rendering him almost irrelevant to the party, that even Okorocha’s defection from the party is expected sooner or later, as he has refused to revalidate his membership of the party, which seems to give signal that he may have made up his mind to leave APC.

Even though Okorocha claims he has his eyes set on the Presidency, Uzodinma has already started making sure he doesn’t make an about turn, to the Senate.

Uzodinma has already started shopping for Okorocha’s replacement in Orlu, with the APC former National Organising Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso, as well as Uzodinma’s Chief of Staff, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, gearing up to replace Okorocha.

With the two strongest political forces in his party facing impending political annihilation, Uzodinma seems set to fully consolidate his grip on the party in the state, an position himself for reelection, if he makes it till then.

Right now, the Philip Umeadi suit, which has been given more teeth by Uche Nwosu’s entrance into the matter, may be the only thing that may save Okorocha and Araraume from impending political retirement.