By Gloria Acholonu (Imo State Correspondent, in Owerri)

A recent close-door parley by the Sole Administrator (SOLAD) of Aboh Mbaise LGA, Barrister Ogechi Njoku-Ehirim, with the gubernatorial candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in the November 2023 Imo State governorship election, Dr Kachi Nwoga, has raised strong suspicion that the SOLAD may have aligned against her boss, governor Hope Uzodimma.

This was gleaned from a meeting she recently held with Nwoga at the LGA Council Hall in Aboh Mbaise, according to a press release issued on Saturday, June 24, 2023 by Mr. Kelechi Osuji, who heads "the SOLAD's Media Team."

According to observers of political developments in Aboh Mbaise, under the guise of planning for the upcoming Iriji-Mbaise in August of 2023, Njoku-Ehirim, a woman married in Ikeduru, met with people who had opposed the holding of Iriji-Mbaise of 2022 where Governor Hope Uzodimma was honoured with the chieftaincy title of "Enyioma of the Mbaise."

It was observed that virtually no government appointee from Mbaise was invited to the SOLAD's meeting, including the three Commissioners from Mbaise.

More worrisome, according to some leaders, was the fact that the SOLAD appointed by Governor Hope Uzodimma held a meeting with a man who is running against the governor in the November 11, 2023 election.

The historic Iriji-Mbaise of 2022 was organized by a group known as Oluoha Mbaise, along with Ndi Eze Mbaise, and headed by Prince Perry Opara of Ezinihite Mbaise.

"Oluoha Mbaise balked the decision of Ezuruezu Mbaise not to hold Iriji in 2023. Ezuruezu Mbaise's decision not to hold Iriji last year was reportedly at the orders of Chief Emeka Ihedioha, from whom Uzodimma wrestled the seat of governor of Imo State in January of 2020. The historic ceremony was held anyway, with Uzodimma warmly welcomed and honoured".

The Iriji-Mbaise ceremony is to be hosted by Aboh Mbaise LGA in 2023. However, Njoku-Ehirim's sole decision to meet with Ezuruezu Mbaise and the Imo State ADP Candidate for governor, has been described as a slap in the face of those who laboured and took risks last year to organize the Iriji-Mbaise of 2022. NNL.