The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Okorocha

  • 2019: Imo Archbishop, Okorocha in epic battle

    • Cleric’s support for APGA unsettles church

    Ahead the 2019 governorship election, fiery Archbishop of Owerri Catholic Diocese, Most Reverend Anthony Obinna has resumed attacks against Governor Rochas Okorocha and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The duo have been locked in an epic battle over who produces the next governor in 2019.

    While the governor is relying on his sterling achievements to convince the electorate, the Archbishop is relying on the Church to oust the APC out of power.

    The cleric, in all his sermons since the beginning of the year, had launched a campaign to incite the electorate, especially Catholic faithful against Okorocha and the APC over his claims of non performance and highhandedness.

    Obinna, it was gathered, had not hidden his preference for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), which he allegedly supported in the 2015 general elections.

    Not only had the Archbishop turned his podium as launch pad for the war against the governor, he had also taken advantage of any social event he attends to advance his plot against the Okorocha-led administration.

    Recently, the cleric stirred controversy during a burial ceremony at the St. Michael Catholic Church Ngwoma-Obube in Owerri North Council Area of the state when he charged those in attendance to ensure they stop the governor from producing a successor in 2019 by voting out the APC.

    He literarily turned the requiem mass into a campaign rally by calling on politicians, especially members of the opposition to come out and say if they will want the APC to continue in the state after 2019.

    The situation almost degenerated into chaos but for the maturity of government officials at the event, including the governor’s wife, Nkechi Okorocha, Chief of Staff to the governor, Uche Nwosu and Speaker Acho Ihim among others.

    Shortly after the incident, the media was awash, with the alleged prodding of the Archbishop, Okorocha’s supporters assaulted him, apparently to reenact the scenario of 2011, where former Governor, Ikedi Ohakim was accused of flogging a Catholic Priest, which contributed to his ouster from office.

    But coming under severe criticisms, the cleric quickly recanted the allegation of assault and instead claimed he was only verbally assaulted but never beaten up by Okorocha’s supporters.

    Just about when the dust of the seeming blackmail against the governor and the APC was settling down, the Archbishop re-launched another offensive while delivering his Easter message.

    He again reiterated his call on the electorate to ensure they use their Voter’s card to show the APC the way out in the 2019 governorship election, accusing the governor of clamping down on political opponents.

    But this time, the governor pointedly told the Archbishop that he cannot install an APGA governor in the state, daring him to show evidence of any case of harassment or illegal imprisonment of any opposition member in the state since he came to power in 2011.

    A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, reads: “”It has become obvious that the Archbishop has intensified his disdain or hatred for APC, President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Okorocha this time because of the 2019 election.

    “And the Archbishop should know that most people have become fed up with his repeated unprovoked and unwarranted attacks on the governor and his government using every platform and every event available to him.

    “We do not think that the Archbishop should be doing that for the benefit of a particular political party or certain politicians.”

    The Archbishop’s partisan role has also polarised the Christian community in the state with majority of the church leaders showing disdain for the cleric’s action.

    Most of them, who spoke with our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, expressed worries over the partisan stands of the Archbishop, which they insisted is dragging the Church into unnecessary controversy.

    According to one of them: “The Church should be neutral in issues of politics so that it can with all openness proffer advice where and when necessary to the political class without fear or favour. The Church must not be seen as supporting one political group against the other”.

  • Okorocha to Araraume: I won’t let you destroy APC

    •Senator vows to remain in party 

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has described Senator Ifeanyi Araraume as an inconsistent politician.

    He vowed not to allow the former Senator destroy the All Progressives Congress (APC) like he did to other parties in the state.

    Okorocha insisted that Araraume has never been a good party man who can stick with his party if his ambition is not realised.

    He also dismissed as unfounded, claims by the former Senator that he was a founding member of the APC in the state.

    A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, said: “Senator Araraume has never been a good party man. A good party man is the one who, when he loses the primary, would work to support the party and its candidate.

    Senator Araraume has never done that. And we won’t allow him destroy APC like he did to other parties.

    “In 2015, Araraume contested the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary with Chief Emeke Ihedioha and lost. He was in court until the election was conducted. He only began to relate with the APC during the supplementary for the governorship election.

    “So, if Senator Araraume contested the PDP governorship primary in 2015, could he have also been one of the founders of APC? The answer is obviously in the negative. What we do not do is to allow opponents of the government benefit from their lies. We shall continue to submerge their lies.

    “In case we have forgotten, Senator Araraume was the pioneer State Chairman of All Progressives Party (APP). But before the 1999 election, he abandoned the party following a development that will be a story for another day. The late Evan Enwerem took him to Chief I.D. Nwoga and late Emeka Echeruo, who were leaders of the PDP in the state then, and secured a ticket for him for Okigwe Senatorial zone; that was how he went to the Senate.

    “In PDP in 2007, he fought the then Governor Achike Udenwa to a standstill; took away the party structure from Udenwa and became the governorship candidate. Udenwa decided to tell him that he was a sitting governor and then supported Chief Ikedi Ohakim of PPA, and he won.

    “He also fought Ohakim from the same Okigwe zone and lost. And in 2011, he left the PDP and became the governorship candidate of the ACN. He came fourth in the election and could not win any of the 27 councils.

    “By the way, where would Senator Araraume get the votes to win a governorship election? Is it Owerri Zone whose people still feel he is one of the major problems of PDP, and Ihedioha or Okigwe Zone where the people still believe he was the cause of Ohakim’s failed second term bid? Or Orlu Zone where he is seen as the person who never allowed their son, Achike Udenwa, to have a peaceful handover?

    “Beyond the false claims in the media, let us imagine the fate of APC in the Southeast or in Imo without Rochas Okorocha.

    “If Senator Araraume has what it takes to win an election, let him do what Rochas did in 2011, by picking APGA’s unavailable ticket and won, and in 2015, when he defiled all odds and joined the merger that gave birth to APC and also won.

    “He was one of those who called Rochas Alhaji in Government House and Okoro Hausa. The truth is that he won’t be allowed to do to APC what he did to APP, PDP and ACN”.

    But Ararume has dismissed reports that he plans to dump the party, saying he is working with other stakeholders to ensure victory for the party in the state and the Southeast.

    Ararume said those spreading rumours of his planned defection were afraid of his profile, noting that despite the anti-people policies of the Okorocha-led government, “the real APC” will produce the next governor.

    He said as a founding member of the APC in Imo state, he has nowhere to run to, but will stay and fight those who want to bring the party down.

    Ararume insisted that Okorocha has no followership within the APC as he came alone from APGA.

    He, therefore, asked his supporters and party leaders to ignore speculations about his plan to leave the party, saying he was rather working seriously with his “brothers and sisters” to deliver the Southeast to his party and President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He said: “I am one of the founders of APC; it is my party and I am rooted in it, both at the national, zonal and state levels. They are afraid that I am very strong in the party at the grassroots, state and national levels.

    “We currently have a government that does not respect party manifesto and the rule of law; a government which does not believe that the party matters, and that those who worked for its success should be carried along.

    “So, this government must go. The proper APC government must come on board in 2019. As a matter of fact, our people are already looking beyond the current government. We have to fight this bad and ineffectual government to a standstill. That is why some of them are worried and have already started talking to Social Democratic Party (SDP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and other parties, while some are trying to revive the Action Alliance (AA). But, we will defeat them wherever they go.

    “Where am I leaving the party to? We have come to stay, and we will rather drive these people who are working against our party out because they are the impostors.”

  • Okorocha, Araraume: Old foes resume rivalry

    The battle line is drawn between Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha and Senator Ifeanyi Araraume. The governor has anointed a successor. But, the senator, who is eyeing the seat, is kicking against the endorsement. Who blinks first? Correspondent Okodili Ndidi writes on the succeession battle in the Southeast state.

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha and Senator Ifeanyi Araraume have resumed their hostilities, ahead of the governorship primary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The rivalry may create crisis for the party, unless the national leadership intervenes to avoid doom for the platform.

    Araraume wants to succeed Okorocha. But, the governor has a preferred candidate. The senator is asking for a level playing ground at the primary, which he believes Okorocha cannot guarantee.

    The two have been locked in antagonism for a long time. But, they mended mences during the 2015 general elections when dumped the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), following the alleged manipulation of the governorship primary in favour of the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Emeka Ihedioha.

    Araraume helped the APC, a party he had dumped earlier to win the election in his Okigwe Zone against the PDP. Shortly after the 2015 elections, the two political heavyweights became friends and as predicted, Araraume teamed up with Okorocha.

    In appreciation of the role played by Araraume in his re-election bid, Okorocha appointed his son, 30 year-old Ifeanyi Ararume (jnr) as a commissioner.

    To many observers, the appointment of the ex-senator’s son was a settlement meant to compensate him and dissuade him from joining the governorship race in the future.

    However the relationship later turned sour. Okorocha and Ararueme are strange bedfellows. Both went their seperate ways last year.

    The first sign that the relationship was heading for the rock was the removal of the senator’s son as a commissioner. Sources said the  senator rejected the re-appointment of his son, following the dissolution of the State Executive Council, to drum home the point that he was not placated by the appointment.  Instead, Araraume expected the governor to reciprocate the support he gave him during his re-election by supporting his governorship ambition.

    Okorocha had told party chieftains that he will support the  senator for any other political office, except that of the governor. But,  Araraume had remained resolute on his ambition.

    In Imo politics, Araraume enjoys a rich and enviable followership, an advantage he has always used to scuttle the plans of his party whenever he is denied or robbed of the governorship ticket.

    The battle line between him and Okorocha is drawn. Following the governor’s blunt refusal to support his ambition, Ararume is gathering his armies. The senator is even being supported by some members of the governor’s camp.

    The last straw that broke the carmel’s back was Okorocha’s endorsement of his Chief of Staff and son in-law, Chief Uche Nwosu, as his successor. This has rekindled the anger of the senator against the governor.

     

    Why they fell apart:

    Many believe that Okorocha and Araraume fell apart because of the governor’s refusal to support the senator’s ambition to achieve his age-long dream of governing the state. Araraume has been a victim of several betrayals in the past.

    Some people believe that Okorocha has a pact with Araraume to hand over power to him at the end of his tenure because of his earlier support for his re-election bid.

    But, no sooner has the governor got a second term than he stunned the senator with his declaration that anyone above 5o years will not succeed him in 2019.

    Araraume believed the age ceiling was targeted at him. He is in his late fifties. He wanted the governor to shift grounds, but without success. An adamant governor advised Araraume to return to the Senate, promising to support him.

    But, the senator is unperturbed. He summoned his loyalists, most of who were serving in the Okorocha administration. He directed them to pull out of the governor’s camp.

    Since then, the duo have been locked in endless diatribe. Irked by the confrontation, Okorocha  swore that Araraume will never succeed him.

    The governor’s supporters also denied any succession pact between him and the senator. However, they acknowledged that Araraume was among party stalwarts who contributed to the governor’s campaigns in 2015.

     

    Apprehesion in APC:

    The face-off between Okorocha and Araraume can be best described as the war of two elephants, which makes the grass to suffer.

    The APC is bearing the brunt of the clash, which has polarised the party to the extent loyalists of the   governor and the ex-senator have become sworn enemies.

    Some members of the State Executive Committee of the party are allegedly on the payroll of the senator. Sources said they no longer  attend meetings convened by the  chairman, Dr. Hillary Eke, who is perceived to be the governor’s staunch supporter.

    The governor was accused of plotting to sack those loyal to Araraume in the committee before the recent elongation of their tenure by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party. The tenure extension was wildly celebrated in the senator’s camp as a boost to  his ambition.

    The fear of party leaders is the antecedents of the senator, who often works against his party whenever he loses at the primary.

    Although the governor had reassured the APC family that the party will do better without joiners like Araraume, but his strength cannot be ignored.  He contributed to the electoral misfortune of the PDP during the 2015 polls.

     

    OKorocha’s counter-plan:

    Okorocha is not being ignorant of Araraume’s style of politics. He has set up many  structures that are continuously serviced across the state. The governor is mobilising and empowering many youths who are active players in the electioneering process.

    The governor has also ensured that key positions are given to those who can deliver the party in their respective areas.

    A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, dismissed Araraume’s threat as inconsequential.

    He said the party is aware of the senator’s antics, adding that he will be contained.

    Despite these assurances, observers believe that the APC will be facing the battle of its life in next year’s elections, if the governor and the senator are not reconciled.

     

  • Okorocha, Araraume: old foes resume rivalry

    The battle line is drawn between Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha and Senator Ifeanyi Araraume. The governor has anointed a successor. But, the senator, who is eyeing the seat, is kicking against it. Who blinks first? Correspondent Okodili Ndidi writes on the succeession battle in the Southeast state.

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha and Senator Ifeanyi Araraume have resumed their hostilities, ahead of the governorship primary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The rivalry may create crisis for the party, unless the national leadership intervenes to avoid doom for the platform.

    Araraume wants to succeed Okorocha. But, the governor has a preferred candidate. The senator is asking for a level playing ground at the primary, which he believes Okorocha cannot guarantee.

    The two have been locked in antagonism for a long time. But, they mended mences during the 2015 general elections when dumped the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), following the alleged manipulation of the governorship primary in favour of the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Emeka Ihedioha.

    Araraume helped the APC, a party he had dumped earlier to win the election in his Okigwe Zone against the PDP. Shortly after the 2015 elections, the two political heavyweights became friends and as predicted, Araraume teamed up with Okorocha.

    In appreciation of the role played by Araraume in his re-election bid, Okorocha appointed his son, 30 year-old Ifeanyi Ararume (jnr) as a commissioner.

    To many observers, the appointment of the ex-senator’s son was a settlement meant to compensate him and dissuade him from joining the governorship race in the future.

    However the relationship later turned sour. Okorocha and Ararueme are strange bedfellows. Both went their seperate ways last year.

    The first sign that the relationship was heading for the rock was the removal of the senator’s son as a commissioner. Sources said the  senator rejected the re-appointment of his son, following the dissolution of the State Executive Council, to drum home the point that he was not placated by the appointment.  Instead, Araraume expected the governor to reciprocate the support he gave him during his re-election by supporting his governorship ambition.

    Okorocha had told party chieftains that he will support the  senator for any other political office, except that of the governor. But,  Araraume had remained resolute on his ambition.

    In Imo politics, Araraume enjoys a rich and enviable followership, an advantage he has always used to scuttle the plans of his party whenever he is denied or robbed of the governorship ticket.

    The battle line between him and Okorocha is drawn. Following the governor’s blunt refusal to support his ambition, Ararume is gathering his armies. The senator is even being supported by some members of the governor’s camp.

    The last straw that broke the carmel’s back was Okorocha’s endorsement of his Chief of Staff and son in-law, Chief Uche Nwosu, as his successor. This has rekindled the anger of the senator against the governor.

     Why they fell apart:

    Many believe that Okorocha and Araraume fell apart because of the governor’s refusal to support the senator’s ambition to achieve his age-long dream of governing the state. Araraume has been a victim of several betrayals in the past.

    Some people believe that Okorocha has a pact with Araraume to hand over power to him at the end of his tenure because of his earlier support for his re-election bid.

    But, no sooner has the governor got a second term than he stunned the senator with his declaration that anyone above 5o years will not succeed him in 2019.

    Araraume believed the age ceiling was targeted at him. He is in his late fifties. He wanted the governor to shift grounds, but without success. An adamant governor advised Araraume to return to the Senate, promising to support him.

    But, the senator is unperturbed. He summoned his loyalists, most of who were serving in the Okorocha administration. He directed them to pull out of the governor’s camp.

    Since then, the duo have been locked in endless diatribe. Irked by the confrontation, Okorocha  swore that Araraume will never succeed him.

    The governor’s supporters also denied any succession pact between him and the senator. However, they acknowledged that Araraume was among party stalwarts who contributed to the governor’s campaigns in 2015.

     Apprehesion in APC:

    The face-off between Okorocha and Araraume can be best described as the war of two elephants, which makes the grass to suffer.

    The APC is bearing the brunt of the clash, which has polarised the party to the extent loyalists of the   governor and the ex-senator have become sworn enemies.

    Some members of the State Executive Committee of the party are allegedly on the payroll of the senator. Sources said they no longer  attend meetings convened by the  chairman, Dr. Hillary Eke, who is perceived to be the governor’s staunch supporter.

    The governor was accused of plotting to sack those loyal to Araraume in the committee before the recent elongation of their tenure by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party. The tenure extension was wildly celebrated in the senator’s camp as a boost to  his ambition.

    The fear of party leaders is the antecedents of the senator, who often works against his party whenever he loses at the primary.

    Although the governor had reassured the APC family that the party will do better without joiners like Araraume, but his strength cannot be ignored.  He contributed to the electoral misfortune of the PDP during the 2015 polls.

     OKorocha’s counter-plan:

    Okorocha is not being ignorant of Araraume’s style of politics. He has set up many  structures that are continuously serviced across the state. The governor is mobilising and empowering many youths who are active players in the electioneering process.

    The governor has also ensured that key positions are given to those who can deliver the party in their respective areas.

    A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, dismissed Araraume’s threat as inconsequential.

    He said the party is aware of the senator’s antics, adding that he will be contained.

    Despite these assurances, observers believe that the APC will be facing the battle of its life in next year’s elections, if the governor and the senator are not reconciled.

  • Okorocha: I don’t have issues with Catholic Archbishop

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha say he has no scores to settle with the Archbishop of Owerri Catholic Archdiocese, Revd. Anthony Obinna.

    Imo Catholic-owned newspaper, The Leader, published a story and quoted the governor as saying he had scores to settle with the cleric.

    But Okorocha warned those responsible for the falsehood to stop creating such impressions.

    A section of politicians in the state had been engaging in a campaign of calumny against the governor for alleged molestation of the archbishop by supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC). But the archbishop absolved the governor and the APC of all allegations.

    A statement by Okorocha’s Chief Press Secretary Sam Onwuemeodo said “Governor Okorocha or the Rescue Mission government he pilots has no scores to settle with Archbishop Anthony Obinna. People should please stop creating such impression.

    “In 2011 and 2015, Okorocha and the APC won overwhelmingly in Owerri Municipal where most members of Owerri Catholic Diocese reside. And more than 95 per cent of members of the diocese, including the archbishop’s elder brother and a frontline politician, Sir Paddy Obinna, have remained strong supporters of the governor and the Rescue Mission government.

    “And in 2019 no doubt, members of the diocese will also vote for the governor’s choice for the governorship because they know the truth of this story. They know that the governor has never, in any way, offended the archbishop or the diocese.

    “They know that Okorocha’s achievements in seven years have exceeded that of his predecessors put together since the state was created in 1976. They also know that the governor has invested in the diocese more than any before him, whether military or civilian.

    “The only issue is that the archbishop does not seem to like APC as a party, and he does not hide it. He does not hide his affiliation to APGA. So, he finds it difficult to be on the same page with President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Rochas Okorocha, who are products of APC.

    “We appeal to The Leader, owned by the diocese, to stop damaging the reputation of the archbishop by publishing falsehood and blackmail as if it is an opposition medium.”

  • I have no problem with Archbishop Obinna – Okorocha

    Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, said on Monday he has no score to settle with the Archbishop of the Owerri Catholic Archdiocese, Most Revd. Anthony Obinna.

    The Imo Catholic- owned newspaper, the Leader, had published a story quoting the governor as saying he has a score to settle with cleric.

    But Okorocha warned those responsible for the falsehood to stop creating such impressions.

    A section of politicians in the state had condemned the governor over alleged molestation of the Archbishop by supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    However, the Archbishop had absolved the governor and the party of the allegation.

    The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo in a said in a statement “the Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha or the Rescue Mission administration he pilots has no score to settle with Archbishop Anthony Obinna and people should please stop creating such impression.”

    “In 2011 and 2015 respectively, Governor Okorocha and his Party APC won overwhelmingly in Owerri Municipal where most members of Owerri Catholic Diocese reside. And more than 95 percent of members of the Diocese including the Archbishop’s senior brother and a frontline politician in the state, Sir Paddy Obinna have remained as we write, strong supporters of the governor and the Rescue Mission administration.

    “And in 2019, no doubt, the members of the Diocese will also vote for the governor’s choice for the governorship because they know the truth of this whole story. They know that the governor has never in any way offended the Archbishop or the Diocese.

    “They know that Governor Okorocha’s achievements in seven years have exceeded all that his predecessors since the creation of the state in 1976 put together had achieved. And they equally know that the governor has invested in the Diocese more than any of those before him as governor, whether military or civilian, had done.

    “Even the reported incident at a funeral service at Ngor-Okpala, most members of the Diocese were there and know the truth, beyond the propaganda of frustrated opposition in the state. And luckily too, the Archbishop himself had told the world that he was neither attacked nor manhandled by anybody.

    “The only issue is that the Archbishop does not seem to like APC as a party and he does not hide it. He does not hide his affiliation to APGA. So he finds it extremely difficult to be on the same page with President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Rochas Okorocha, who are products of APC. That is all.

    “We also want to use this opportunity to appeal to the leader of the newspaper owned by the Diocese to stop damaging the reputation of the Archbishop by publishing falsehood and blackmails as if it is an opposition medium.”

     

  • Okorocha absent from tensed SEC meeting

    The battle for Imo State governorship ticket in the All Progressives Congress (APC) is causing ripples in the state.

    At yesterday’s expanded State Executive Committee (SEC) meeting, Governor Rochas Okorocha was inexplicably absent.

    The meeting was presided over by the chairman, Dr. Hillary Eke.

    Deputy Governor Eze Madumere, who represented the governor, said the party should be strong and united ahead of 2019.

    National Organising Secretary Osita Izunaso; Senator  Benjamin Uwajumogu (Imo North) and Senator Ifeanyi Araraume left, with their supporters, before the meeting ended.

    It was gathered that Araraume, Uwajumogu and Izunaso left following disagreement on the governorship primary.

    But a source said Izunaso left for Ekiti to attend a meeting.

    Publicity Secretary Nwabueze Oguchinti said the meeting ended on a good note, adding that the party is prepared for elections.

    According to him, the SEC met on the June council election, among other issues.

  • Okorocha calls for creation of ministry of peace

    Imo State governor Rochas Okorocha, on Thursday called for the creation of the Ministry of Peace and Religious Affairs by the Federal Government to address the immediate needs of the people.

    Okorocha, who had created the Ministry of Happiness and Purpose Fulfillment in the state, said that the creation of the ministry would engender peaceful co-existence and check the growing threat of hate speech.

    The governor, who spoke when the Head of Service of the Federation (HoSF), Mrs. Winifred Oyo Ita led Heads of Service from the 36 States of the federation paid him a courtesy call at the Government House, Owerri, said “the nation requires the sacrifices of all, including the civil servants to remain strong and united.”

    He said: “The nation is also in dire need of all of us to show leadership at all levels. Again, negative comments discourage leaders. And time has come for the establishment of Federal Ministry of Peace and Religious Affairs. Ministries should be created to meet the immediate need of the people. With too much hate speeches, such ministry has become necessary.”

    Okorocha also called for the introduction of free education at all levels in the country, adding that the country can afford to run free and qualitative education if unnecessary wastes are curtailed.

    “The nation can also afford to run free education at all levels if we can reduce waste in all aspects of our nation’s life. Here in Imo, we have been known for education. Hence, the free education at all levels in the state. Here in Imo, we do not have bureaucracy. We don’t break the rules, but only bend the rules to achieve our goals. And that is the secret of the success we have in Imo.

    “It will take one year for anybody to tour our projects. We have built a new Imo. What we have now is a brand new Imo. Politicians have not painted us well because our style is different from the old system. The old names you used to hear in the politics of the State, you don’t hear about them again.”

     

     

  • Okorocha explains choice of son in-law as successor

    Rochas Okorocha of Imo on Tuesday cleared the air on why he is endorsing his son in-law, Mr Uche Nwosu, to take over from him as governor.

    Speaking with newsmen at the Sam Mbakwe International Airport in Owerri, shortly on arrival from an overseas trip, Okorocha  said that Nwosu is qualified to govern Imo and that his position on the endorsement stands.

    He, however, assured that the primary to elect a candidate a governorship candidate for the APC in Imo would be transparent, noting that there would be no shortcut in selecting candidates to fly the party’s flag.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that observers have been criticizing the governor for his penchant for choosing his relations to occupy public offices.

    Okorocha also disclosed that local government council elections in Imo would be conducted in June, to give residents of the state an opportunity to elect candidates of their choice at the grassroots.

    He said that he was working hard to boost the popularity of the APC in the South-East to make the party acceptable to the people in the upcoming general elections.

    The governor said that he was also taking necessary steps to inject life into the party to boost President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election chances.

  • Okorocha: Nwosu’s, Buhari’s endorsement intact

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has reiterated that his endorsement of his Chief of Staff, Uche Nwosu, as his preferred successor, stands despite perceived oppositions.

    The governor, who spoke at the Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport after arriving from an overseas trip, added that the state’s endorsement of President Muhammadu Buhari is also subsisting.

    “The endorsements given to President Buhari for 2019 and that of Uche Nwosu for the governorship still stand, he said.

    Okorocha challenged those opposed to the endorsements to “present their own candidates if they think they have better options”.

    He said: “Let those criticising these endorsements present their own aspirants or candidates if they feel what they have is better than what we have endorsed. Then the people will make their choice. You don’t criticise an action when you do not have a better option.

    “The All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries will be very transparent. It will be open and the world will watch. There will be no short-cut. Anybody who wins the primaries becomes the party’s candidate. And the noise about Uche Nwosu is because he is the best of all the aspirants at the moment.

    “The Rescue Mission government is on course. I have no apologies endorsing President Buhari for President and accepting the endorsements of all the councils for Uche Nwosu.

    “My joy will be to see a capable hand, a leader who will continue from where I stopped. It is obvious that people have misrepresented facts in this part of the world. If democracy is to remain democracy in Imo State and Nigeria, there is nothing unconstitutional that we have done in the course of our endorsements.

    “The Constitution is very clear, and it is a guiding principle upon which all democratic activities rotate. Our endorsement is not unconstitutional as the constitution stipulates what a candidate must possess.

    “Our candidate possesses those qualities so there is nothing unconstitutional in what we are doing in the Rescue Mission government.

    “If I had chosen somebody else, maybe they would have been happy because they will believe they will defeat the person, but there is something about Uche Nwosu that is scaring them. If Uche starts, they may lose out.”