…Source: He’s yet to show any interest for now
There are indications that as 2027 draws nearer, scores of prominent Imo people at home and in Diaspora have started mounting pressure on Distinguished Senator Ifeanyi Godwin Araraume to prepare for the Governorship of the State.
Nigeria Newspoint gathered from sources close to the former Senator for Okigwe (Imo North ) confirmed that individuals and Groups from Imo state have been visiting Araraume to plead with him to throw his hat in the ring again for the Imo Governorship Seat.
Those who are pressuring Araraume to prepare for the 2027 Gubernatorial election, are of the view that he has all it takes to make a difference in the leadership of the State . Ararume is said to be an experienced politician , good manager of both human and material resources with vast business empire in Oil and Gas spread all over Nigeria and beyond.
A close ally of the former Senator disclosed that Dist. Senator Araraume would change the fortunes of Imo State if given the opportunity to govern the State,even as they acknowledge that power is not given but taken .
Despite the pressures being mounted on him, Araraume is yet to make up his mind despite the magnitude of the pressure on him to throw his hat in the ring come 2027.
Sources revealed that his lack of immediate interest stems from the opinion that people he had trusted in the past , betrayed him .
The Oil/Gas mogul ,it was further gathered would not want to expend time and resources to salvage the state again, in vain.
Most of Araraume’s allies are already in other Camps but most of them are of the view that once the Isiala Mbano-born Politician joins the race they will abandon their various present camps and support him, one hundred percent .
Araraume’s former aide and one time Special Assistant to late Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, Prof. James Okoroma contested the 2023 Governorship election.
Okoroma’s supporters insist he would run again in 2027.
When recently contacted for comments, Okoroma said 2027 is still far away and would therefore, not want to be drawn into talks about Governorship now. But another ally of Araraume Chief Raymond Agugua who is also close to Okoroma, said that Okoroma might concede if Araraume was running because of their long-standing relationship.
Arguments over which part of Imo State would produce the next Governor, are still raging with some people insisting that Owerri Zone had suffered marginalization and should therefore be considered. Okigwe people maintain that the Imo Charter of Equity should come into effect with an Okigwe son occupying the Governorship position in 2027.
In fact, some are already advocating the return of Ikedi Ohakim to complete a second term, as a way of appeasing Okigwe Zone.Some posit that Ohakim’s return might be an uphill task in view of the controversies that truncated his reign.
“Araraume is a man of ” solid personal achievements” in business and in Politics,a source added.
He has a deep pocket with investments in many Sectors.
While in the Senate, he was the Chairman of the Southern Senators Forum. He headed several influential Committees where he made impact at home and at the national levels.a
