National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tunubu, has advised Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, to support his loyal deputy and long time friend, Eze Madumere, to succeed him, a reliable source close to the former Lagos State Governor said.

The source told News Express that Tinubu gave the advice to Okorocha during a recent private meeting.

“Tinubu was impressed to learn that Madumere, who has been repeatedly praised as capable by Okorocha, is not only loyal but also a close friend of the Imo State Governor for about 25 years,” the source said.

He quoted Tinubu as telling Okorocha: “If this man has been with you for 25 years, give it to him and go home and rest.”

News Express reports that Madumere is under increasing pressure to contest but has yet to make a declaration in that regard.

Only last week Wednesday, February 7, economic activities in Owerri were temporarily disrupted as thousands of demonstrators from four key local government areas of the state marched in the Imo State capital in a bid to persuade Madumere to contest the governorship of the state come next year.

The pro-Madumere protesters drawn from Mbaitoli, Ohaji/Egbema, Nkwerre and Nwangele local government areas displayed different placards that read: “For Imo governorship 2019, ask for Mr. Integrity, Mr. Incorruptible”; “Vision 2019, Madumere all the way”; “It’s Madumere or…” among others.”

The leader of the mammoth crowd, Chief Chidi Nwaogu, who addressed the media, said the solidarity match was planned to urge Madumere to join the governorship race, because “he is the most qualified among all the aspirants.”

Nwaogu’s further said: “According to the Governor’s criteria, Madumere has the capacity, he is competent, an administrator per excellence; he is humble, loyal, crises resolution expert, man of the people and most importantly, he has got the cognate experience in Nigeria and in the Diaspora. He has been tried and tested and he delivered at all times.

“Please Madumere join the race for consolidation. We are urging you to come out and we advise all Imolites, other friends of Madumere and lovers of good things to identify with the vision.

“The crowd has come to identify with Mr. Perfect, Mr. Home Boy, who understands the heart beats of the polity and the people of Imo.

“Madumere fits into the 12 points criteria released by Governor Rochas Okorocha for aspirants of the exalted position, and with Madumere, APC is assured of victory come 2019 general elections.”

However, despite the clamour for Madumere, Okorocha yesterday made it known that he would prefer his relatively inexperienced son-in-law, Chief Uche Nwosu, as his preferred successor. He declared that if Nwosu, the current Chief of Staff Government House, comes out to contest the 2019 governorship election in the state, he would support him on the ground that he has all the qualities of an ideal leader.

Okorocha spoke when a delegation from Owerri Municipal Council chapter of APC visited him at the Government House to urge him to encourage and support Nwosu for the governorship of the state in 2019.

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