In a deft political move, Gov Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has ditched his current deputy governor Placid Njoku to pick a female lawyer from Mbaitoli LGA as his running mate in November Imo gubernatorial polls.
Barr (Mrs) Nnedinma Ekomaru is a lawyer of 20 years, and although not previously in politics, is the wife, surprisingly of an opposition People Democratic Party PDP chieftain, Chukwuma Ekomaru (SAN).
Women groups have been clamouring for inclusion and advocated for the deputy governorship slot. The move could improve Uzodinma’s chances with female voters in an election that promises to be among Nigeria’s most hotly contested off-season elections this year.
The choice of the wife of an opposition party politician has left pundits scratching their heads.
Previously Engr Ralph Nwosu, the state Commissioner for Works was picked, but as it turned out, he may have been used as a placeholder until the governor found his substantive running mate.
Uzodinma will be squaring off with Chief Senator Samuel Anyanwu of PDP and Senator Athan Nneji Achonu of the fast-rising Labour Party which now has its first governor in Abia State.
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