By Our Reporter
The All Progressives Congress (APC) executives, Egbu Ward, Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo, have suspended Mr Udo Agoha, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment.
A resolution signed by Mr Osuji Oguoma, Chairman, Nathaniel Uzodinma, Vice Chairman, and Sir James Oparaegwu, Secretary, stated that Agoha and one Ukachi Eboh were suspended for “illegal and disruptive activities”.
The resolution, equally signed by other officials of the ward and addressed to Gov. Rochas Okorocha, was made available to newsmen in Owerri on Tuesday.
It accused Agoha of calling illegal meetings with the aim of destabilising the party in Egbu ward.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there have been series of reports of fragmentation in Imo APC ahead of the 2019 governorship election in the state.
This followed insinuations that Okorocha was perfecting plans to present his son-in-law as the APC candidate in 2019.
However, some APC chieftains in the state had openly condemned the move on the grounds that Owerri or Okigwe zone should produce the next Imo governor since the incumbent and his son-in-law all hail from Orlu zone.
An impeccable APC source told journalists that Agoha’s suspension was linked to his closeness with Sen. Ifeanyi Ararume’s 2019 governorship ambition, which Okorocha had openly said he was opposed to, on grounds of Ararume’s age.
Reacting to his suspension, Agoha described it as `unfortunate’, adding that there was no meeting where the decision was taken.
He attributed the development to his insistence that things must be done right in APC Egbu ward.
“It is because I have not allowed them to steal the party’s money the way they want in addition to my rising political profile, that is why some of them are against me.’’ Agoha said.
On his closeness with the Ararume family, the embattled commissioner said:“Ifeanyi Ararume (Jnr) is my fellow cabinet member; both of us are very close.
“I am a member of APC and Ifeanyi Ararume senior is APC member; if it is my wish to support his political escapade in 2019, it is my right.
“Unfortunately Ifeanyi Ararume (Jnr) and his father have never invited me for a meeting where the 2019 governorship project was discussed,’’ Agoha claimed.
Meanwhile, Mr David Iroanu, an APC chieftain from Izombe in Oguta area, has advised Okorocha to watch his back if the party must record successes in the 2019 general elections.
“Gov. Okorocha has done well in the development of Imo in the last six years, but the issue of who succeeds him in 2019 is seriously threatening the foundation of the party,” Iroanu said.
Leave a Reply