As 2027 draws closer, several prominent Imo people at home and abroad are mounting pressure on Senator Ifeanyi Araraume to prepare for the Governorship of the State.
Sources close to Araraume confirmed that individuals and Groups from Imo were visiting Araraume to plead with him to run 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 Araraume would change the fortunes of Imo State if given the chance to govern the State while acknowledging that power is 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 said he was of the opinion that people he had trusted, betrayed him in the past and would not want to waste his time again.
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 present camp and support him 💯 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 Diamond Express Newspaper 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. 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.
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 level.