The announcement by the Presidency, of the appointment of a former Senator that represented Okigwe zone, Ifeanyi Araraume as the Chairman of the NNPC board, may put brakes on the rumoured plans by the former governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, and his followers (Araraume inclusive), to dump the All Progressives Congress APC, for the Peoples Democratic Party PDP.

Okorocha and his political family have so far lost out to the govenror of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, in the battle for the party structure in the state, following his refusal to acknowledge and accept Chief Marcon Nlemigbo as the state chairman of the party.

Okorocha has remained adamant, insisting that Mr. Daniel Madueke Nwafor, is the rightful chairman of the party, despite the fact that Nlemigbo enjoys the backings of both the National leadership of the party, and the state govenror.

Okorocha’s recent familiarisation with the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, gave more credibility to the rumour, that he and his co-travellers, would be dumping the APC for the PDP, National Daily gathered.

Even his public statements, where he spoke about the formation of a new political order, gave hint of his plans to leave the APC.

National Daily learnt that Okorocha and his co-travellers including Araraume, were sidelined during the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Imo State, but he managed to gain audience later at Aso Rock Villa with the president.

Political pundits are of the view, that with the appointment given to Araraume, Okorocha may reconsider his plans to leave the party, as Araraume would most likely not move with him, if he goes along with it.

However with the new appointment, Okorocha’s political family gains more financial muscle, as the battle for 2023 draws closer.

Observers are of the view that the Imo State political landscape, especially within the APC, would be very charged in the months ahead.