Governor Rochas Okorocha is said to have already shortlisted seven persons from the Owerri Senatorial Zone as possible replacement for Deputy Governor, Sir Jude Agbaso, who is currently battling against impeachment.
Reliably gathered from a source in the Government House that aside the Chief of Staff, Eze Madumere, other six persons from Owerri Zone had also been penciled down as likely candidates for the plum job in the event of the eventual impeachment of Agbaso.
Others in the favoured list include the present Commissioner for Works, Mr. Nick Oparandudu, the Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Sir Jude Ejiogu and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Soronnadi Njoku.
Others are the Political Adviser to the Governor, Chief P. C. Onuoha and Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Ann Dozie and Uche Onyeagocha, former member of the House of Representatives and one time gubernatorial candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
The source who spoke on condition anonymity told Daily Sun that the list of possible successors penciled down was influenced by their pedigree and antecedents in the private and public sector, noting that it became imperative to ensure that there would be no vacuum in the event that the deputy governor is impeached by the state House of Assembly.
The source noted that Prince Madumere (COS) stood a better chance than others considering his closeness and loyalty to the governor.
He further disclosed that none of the nominees had got the governor’s endorsement. “although the governor is aware of these as likely successors but he has not concluded yet but I can authoritatively assure you that the next deputy will come from among these seven people.”