The Imo State House of Assembly has distanced itself from the purported endorsement of Governor Rochas Okorocha’s son-in-law, Chief Uche Nwosu, as the next governor.
The House was reacting to a statement credited to Henry Ezediaro (Oguta Council), who claimed that the House had endorsed Nwosu, who is also the governors’ Chief of Staff, as the best person to succeed Okorocha in 2019.
It described the claim as “mind boggling and unbecoming of a distinguished lawmaker”.
A statement by Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the House, Marcel Ekwezuo, said: “I am constrained to debunk the news that the Imo State House of Assembly has unanimously endorsed Ugwunba Uche Nwosu as the next Governor in 2019. Nwosu is one of our own, and is eminently qualified to contest for governor.
“No doubt he is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and a citizen of Imo State. This, therefore, gives him right to vote and be voted for.
“However, it needs to be cleared that at no time did the House of Assembly meet and endorse Nwosu as its governorship candidate, or any person for that matter.
“The job of lawmakers is to make laws and take resolutions which will impact positively on the people. Endorsement of candidates for whatever position is no doubt not part of it.
“Each lawmaker is free to have a choice of aspirant, but it’s certainly not a House matter. It is, therefore, mind-boggling that a distinguished lawmaker is quoted to have addressed a news conference and saying the 27 lawmakers have endorsed Nwosu.
“It is the duty of the APC to produce a candidate, and if that candidate is Nwosu, then lawmakers of APC extraction are duty bound to deliver the candidate.
“In the light of the foregoing, I believe Ezediaro, who is free to personally support whoever he wishes. Let it be clear to all that the House of Assembly is not in the business of endorsing political candidates, but of making laws.
“Imolites are, therefore, advised to discountenance the publication as a figment of the writer’s imagination which has no bearing with the House of Assembly.”
But Ezediaro remained adamant on the controversial endorsement, insisting that “the House’ leadership denial of the endorsement does not erode the fact that majority of the lawmakers met and endorsed Nwosu as the next governor.
“We are standing on our decision and very soon, I will name the lawmakers who gave the endorsement,” he added.
