Ahead of the November 11, 2023, Imo State governorship election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, and incumbent governor, Hope Uzodimma, has picked Mrs Ekomaro, wife of a former governorship aspirant, Barrister Chukwuma Ekomaro (SAN), as his running mate.
This followed the recent demand by the women of the state, led by Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, that women should be given equal opportunity to occupy political offices, especially the deputy governorship slot of the state.
Ekomaro hails from Umunnoha community in Mbaitoli local government area of Imo State and is a devout Anglican. Government House sources said Uzodimma will soon present the woman to party members.
One of the sources said the governor had considered the fact that the Ekomarus are very influential Anglicans after the Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu family. This is because religion plays a major role in normal elections in the state.
Uzodimma’s deputy, Prof Placid Njoku, is a staunch Catholic as well as Uzodimma himself.
Also, it was learned that another consideration is the voting strength of the LGA and its proximity to Ikeduru where the PDP gubernatorial candidate, Samuel Anyanwu, hails from.
Meanwhile, Okigwe zone which earlier contested the deputy governorship slot on the premise that Owerri zone has been enjoying the position, is said to have received the news with mixed feelings.
A leader from Onuimo told newsmen that the governor has drawn the battle line with the people of Okigwe for failing to hearken to their cries.
The leader who pleaded anonymity added that the zone will review the selection of the governor’s running mate from Owerri to see if they will withdraw their support for the governor.
“After all the consultations and deliberations with the governor and his words of promises, he eventually picked from the same Owerri zone which has been enjoying the position way back from former governor, Ikedi Ohakim.
“Okigwe leaders shall review the selection to see if we will withdraw our support for the governor,” he said.
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