The Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has said he is yet to decide on which of his loyalists would be his successor in 2019.
He said he would make his choice known to Imp people at the at the appropriate.
This was just as he described his deputy, Eze Madumere, as one of his diehard loyalists in the last 23 years, who has stood by him during his political travails and has proved to be a man who could be trusted no matter the circumstance.
Okorocha, who stated this yesterday during the public presentation of a book written on the deputy governor by Peter Clever Obi, entitled: “Eze Madumere: A True Manifestation of Loyal Prince,” disclosed that while he was yet to decide on his successor amongst his loyalists who he described as his true “children,” noted that the deputy governor has stood by him in all his political struggles even when others deserted him.
“I have known Madumere for 23 years, we first met in the United states and he followed me to Nigeria and ever since he has been dedicated. I don’t see him as the deputy governor. My relationship with him is like that of a son and a father,” Okorocha said.
He added that Madumere has always be there with him in all his political struggles since 1999 and even when others deserted Madumere did not.
“He never knew he would be the deputy governor, I gave him a letter to take to the state Assembly that it contained the name of the new deputy governor but Madumere never inquired to know who the person was but after he had submitted the letter and left he was called back by the speaker that he has been appointed the new deputy governor. That is the kind of person he is because he believes in me and never doubts me.”
The Imo State governor expressed delight on the honour done to his deputy by the author, saying “he is my son with whom I am well pleased.”
Also speaking at the event, the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, said being a deputy governor is very difficult and expressed happiness that the Imo State governor has confidence in his deputy.
He said: “I hope the endorsement of the Imo State governor of the book written on his deputy will translate to coronation because for your governor to have implicit confidence in his deputy is good.”
Similarly, chairman of the event, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN) said the Imo State deputy governor is a lesson in humility and urged other deputy governors to emulate him.
