Anthony Iwuoma
The nine-member Panel on Consensus Candidate for the Imo North Senatorial primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has successfully rounded off its assignment with the emergence of Sir Frank Ibezim, as the party’s preferred candidate.
Ibezim came tops after voting by all the aspirants, who participated in a novel voting process whereby the aspirants were asked to choose from among themselves. Each was asked to vote for self and the other best alternative.
Ibezim scored four votes to beat twelve other aspirants, who appeared before the panel set up to choose a consensus candidate from among the teeming aspirants.
Other aspirants aspiring to occupy the vacant seat formerly held by the late Sen. Ben Uwajumogu include Hon. Mathew Omegara (three votes); Senator Athan Achonu, Chief John Onyegbule and Hon. Bright Nwachukwu (two votes each).
The others, including Sen. Ifeanyi Ararume, Hon. Chikwem Onuoha, Rt. Hon Acho Ihim, Hon. Mark Uchendu, Chief Eze Okoro, Prof Osy Nwebo, Adanne Chidinma Uwajumogu, Mr. Chiemela Joe-Obi got one vote each.
Apart from his own vote, Ibezim was the best alternative choice of three other aspirants, giving him a total of four votes to beat Omegara who came a close second with three votes.
However, there are fears that this may not be the end of the matter, as about seven of the other aspirants, including Ararume may have chosen to contest in the party primaries on September 3, 2020, thus reneging on their earlier agreement to abide by the outcome of the consensus arrangement initiated by Governor Hope Uzodinma to avoid acrimonious primaries.
So far, most of the aspirants including Ibezim have purchased the Expression of Interest form and Primary Election forms.
Meanwhile, Ibezim’s choice has received wide acceptance across the party divide and in the state, including endorsement by the late Sen. Ben Uwajumogu’s son who reportedly posted on his Facebook wall that anyone that truly loved his father should vote Ibezim.
