The recent action of the traditional rulers of Mbaise nation, to reverse the curse they had earlier placed on those opposed to their son, the former governor of Imo State, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, may have sent a demoralising blow to supporters of the Mbutu born former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly.
Ihedioha was removed by the Supreme Court on the 14th of January, 2020, barely eight months after he was declared winner of the 2019 General Elections by INEC.
In reaction, the traditional rulers of Mbaise, had placed curses on Mbaise sons and daughters, who were not in support of Ihedioha. Their reaction had come as Ihedioha had attempted to reclaim the seat of power through a failed attempt to get the Supreme Court, review it’s ruling.
With the Imo State governorship seat still in contention, following the suit filed by Philip Umeadi SAN, the action of the traditional rulers may have further weakened the confidence of Ihedioha’s supporters, whose moral had already been badly beaten, with the defection of some of his key loyalists, such as the former governor of Imo State, Dr. Ikedi Ohakim, to Uzodinma’s side.
Many now wonder if there’s still hope in returning to power through Umeadi, while others have already started planning towards 2023.
Political analysts are of the view, that the traditional rulers may have realised that there was nothing coming out of the Umeadi case, and decided to realign with the Hope Uzodinma administration.
However, there have been rumour making the rounds, of a likely defection to the PDP, of former governor of Imo State, and Senator representing Orlu zone, Senator Rochas Okorocha.
The rumour further has it, that Okorocha’s son in-law, Uche Nwosu, may have been penned down to be Ihedioha’s running mate in 2023.
Both camps have neither confirmed or denied the claims.
