Ararume splits Imo House APC lawmakers

…How row is affecting plenary

... Okorocha’s camp intensifies efforts to effort to woo back aggrieved lawmakers

… Plan ‘B’ by both camps revealed

Sen Araraume

The underground feud between the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in Imo State between Governor, Rochas Okorocha and the strongman of Okigwe zone, Sen Ifeanyi Ararume may have run deeper than expected.

Reports indicate that the fallout of the last congress of the party, which APC sources say was to the advantage of the Isiebu-born political maverick, may have started having ripple effect across the state as person and groups are said to have aligned either to the camp of the number one citizen or to that of the former senator.
In the House of Assembly, political watchers have expressed surprise that the feud in Imo APC has percolated to the lawmakers who are said to have aligned to either of the two camps. A House of Assembly sources told this newsmen that many House members have sworn never to support or align with the governor as he had repeatedly failed them after much expectations.
The aggrieved legislators are said to have conclude that with almost less than eighteen months to the 2019 general elections, all expected promises from the Rescue Mission camp have proved abortive and hence they decision to align with someone they are sure will oil his political camp and fulfill his promises.
The feud between the perceived loyalists to the two camps has been described as capable of stalling fruitful deliberations and even plenary. There are efforts to woo the aggrieved legislators to be on the same page, which includes summoning the lawmakers to a meeting recently.
Analysts have read in between the lines to conclude that the ongoing in-fighting in the APC coupled with the inability of the government to fulfill the numerous campaign promises especially to provide jobs and establishment of industries in the state, will affect the fortunes of the party in 2019.
This is even as not a few Imo citizens have decried the latest demolition of markets and other 'illegal' infrastructure as part of the Urban Renewal programme of the Rescue Mission administration.
According to political analyst, members of the feuding camps in the APC may most likely quit the party as foot soldiers of both camps have been feasibly seen calling the shots and repositioning other political parties in the state ahead 2019.
The case of the Action Alliance (AA), which is widely believed to be registered through the influence of Owelle Okorocha, and which was the platform that his deputy, Prince Eze Madumere used to vie for the bye-election to replace the senatorial seat for Imo East (Owerri zone) when Sen Amah Iwuagwu died. The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won the slot through Sen Eze Ajoku. The AA which has been revamped and activities already ongoing is said to be the platform set aside as Plan B for the realization of Owelle's political foray in 2019. Even though, the leadership of AA is a recent news report denied hijack of the party by the Okorocha's camp.
Also, the Ararume's camp has made tactical moves to have a Plan b with the registration of Action Democratic Party, ADP. Political watchers say that with a dependable ally of the Isiebu-born politician, James Okoroma as the National Secretary, the ADP which has even erected bill boards within the state may be the chosen alternative for the camp to move into when the time comes.
The Chairman House Committee on Information, Hon Kennedy Ibeh could not be reached for comments on the alleged feud at the time of filling this report.