By Destiny Day
The deputy governor of Imo state, Prince Eze Madumere has congratulated the governor-elect of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha who was declared winner of the Saturday, March 9 governorship election.
Ihedioha, former Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives and candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) polled a total of 273, 404 votes to emerge winner.
He was trailed by Governor Rochas Okorocha’s son-in-law and candidate of the Action Alliance (AA), Uche Nwosu who scored 190, 364.
Senator Ifeanyi Ararume of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) however came 3rd with 114, 676 votes while the All Progressives Congress Party (APC) candidate, Senator Hope Uzodinma came distant 4th, scoring less than 100, 000.
Uzodinma had joined forces with Madumere to retrieve APC from Governor Okorocha when he wanted to impose Nwosu on the state.
Madumere has not only congratulated Ihedioha, but he insists that the victory is victory for the Owerri zone, the reason he fought against Okorocha’s imposition of his in-law.
However, Madumere has been receiving flood of congratulatory messages over his role against Okorocha’s anti-people policies and stance on Okorocha and his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu.
A statement signed by Madumere’s media assistant, Uche Onwuchekwa quoted Chief I.B Okafor, chieftain of APC of saying that: ” Madumere deserves to be celebrated for his sacrifices to ensure that political space was opened for true democratic process for Imo people to choose their leader.
“APC lost because of Okorocha’s insistence on not heeding to advice even from his close political associate like Madumere. We are happy that Imo people are happy and Madumere is the nucleus of Imo liberation and we, beyond party affiliations, must revere him for his discipline, integrity and long suffering for his people.”
Also, a political analyst, Uche Ogbonnaya, said that it was expected that APC would head for a crash because of the schism within the party.
He pointed out that Okorocha and his son-in-law, Ararume and Uzodinma were all of APC who shared their votes, creating room for the PDP to clinch victory.
“This will surely be a big blow for Governor Okorocha who had vowed to use the last drop of his blood to ensure he installs his son-in-law, Mr. Nwosu against the will of Imo people.”
