Tension is mounting in Imo State following alleged plots by the government to impeach Prince Eze Madumere, the state Deputy Governor.
Investigations by Vanguard Saturday revealed that a coalition of youth groups of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state, has planned to stage protest to the Imo House of Assembly over the alleged plot by Governor Rochas Okorocha to coerce members of the state House of Assembly into initiating impeachment proceedings against Madumere over issues relating to his governorship ambition.
However, Okorocha through Mr Sam Onwuemeodo, his Chief Press Secretary has denied plots to impeach the deputy, Madumere.
Uneasy calm has enveloped the state as the governor has declared his readiness to support his son-inlaw, Mr. Uche Nwosu, if he declared his interest to succeed him in office in 2019.
The political rancour within the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state started when Governor Okorocha, said that he would support either his son-in-law, Nwosu or Madumere, depending on who got the highest endorsement of Imo people for the governorship seat.
Madumere had worked with Okorocha in the last 17 years as special assistant before he became governor before he was appointed chief of staff and deputy governor.
But in what was seen as a panic measure, Okorocha hurriedly endorsed Nwosu, when Madumere was endorsed for the position by Imo residents comprising market men and women under the auspices of the Imo State Amalgamated Markets and Traders Association, ISAMATA.
The leader of ISMATA, Joe Odikanwa, said that Madumere possessed “all the qualities that any anybody who wants to succeed Okorocha as governor, should possess,” adding that he should be endorsed by Imo people for the position.
