Cabinet reconstitution : politicians take lobbying to Abuja
A good number of politicians of Imo State extraction, especially members of the ruling All Progressives Congress have relocated to Abuja, with the aim of reaching out to the state governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, who was said to have gone to the Federal Capital Tertiary, Abuja to prepare a list for the reconstitution of the state executive council.
South-East PUNCH gathered that the governor, in order not to be disturbed and or distracted by interested politicians and stakeholders, had relocated to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Recall that Uzodimma, had shortly after his swearing-in for second term penultimate week announced the dissolution of the state expanded executive council members.
Those affected include all commissioners, Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants.
The governor also approved the dissolution of the Sole Administrators of the 27 local government councils of the state.
South-East PUNCH also gathered that the politicians, in their usual manner, following the high rate of hunger and starvation in the land and desperation on the part of some, followed him to Abuja. They were said to have started lobbying for positions.
A reliable source, who pleaded anonymity told South-South PUNCH that intensive lobbying of the governor for positions by reaching out to those close to him, particularly his friends and political associates for help had since been going on.
Serving members of the House of Representatives of Imo extraction and beyond and party chieftains were also said to be involved in the lobbying.
Many of lobbyists, according to the reliable source, wanted to use the positions to settle their relatives and loyalists, particularly those who worked for them during the election.
South East PUNCH, however, gathered that it has not been easy for many of them, as the governor was bent on choosing member of the cabinet based on merit.
Uzodimma wanted to pick people that would help him move the state forward as his first tenure was said to be full of charlatans.
The source added, “This is because the governor wants to score a political goal in his second term.”
It was also revealed that Uzodimma was going beyond his political party in the selection of the new cabinet members and has resolved to pick anybody that can perform, not minding whether he is a politician or not.
