Coalition Dead in Imo, Buhari, APC still in Charge —Okorocha  

ThankGod Emeh, OWERRI. 

DEFECTIONS IN APC TOOK PLACE TWO YEARS AGO, BUT ONLY MANIFESTING NOW – GOVERNOR ROCHAS OKOROCHA

– SAYS THE ISSUE OF COALITION IN THE STATE HAS COME TO AN END

– AND TWO SOUTH-EAST GOVERNORS TO JOIN APC BEFORE 2019 ELECTION.

Governor Rochas Okorocha addressing Imo Journalists at Government House

Governor Rochas Okorocha has said that the defections in All Progressives Congress, APC, by some Chieftains of the Party took place two years ago, but only manifesting now, adding that Political interests were responsible for the defections.

The governor who spoke at a media interaction with Journalists in the State during the weekend at the Government House Owerri, stated that people should not see the defections as spite on APC but should see the whole thing as alternatives to those defectors to pursue their Political interests.stated.

Seat section of Imo Commissioners

Cross section of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Imo state Council.

“APC is not in Crisis, because those leaving the Party are those who should leave. APC is still a sound and united Party. We hold the President at the highest esteem because of our Conviction in his leadership. Muhammadu Buhari is still the best at this Point. Look at the Candidates, Buhari remains the best for 2019”, Okorocha said.

He urged the Igbos to rewrite their Political history and change the narratives with the 2019 election, stating that he was happy that the Igbos, for the first time have returned to who they are, and willing to play the right Politics by making sure that President Buhari receives the right votes from the South-East.

In his words “It will be good news for us and our Political future, that we are hoping that two South-East governors will soon jump the ship and move into APC before the elections. We won’t accept the idea of a PDP governor working for Buhari Presidency while expecting us to return him as a PDP governor. It will be unfair for the Party. It is either you are with us or not with us”.

He Continued, “In the last election, the PDP in the South-East brought those sentiments of religion and tribe and sold the dummy to our people who bought it without thinking twice. We had all our eggs in one basket. And the bad Politics the Igbos played reflected today in our position in the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

Speaking on the issue of Prince Eze Madumere’s impeachment as Deputy Governor, Governor Okorocha said the whole process was orderly carried out in line with the provisions of the constitutions of the country and gave reasons why the swearing-in of the new Deputy Governor was suspended by a court order.

Former Deputy, Eze Madumere 

“the swearing-in of the Deputy-Governor designate, Mr Calistus Ekenze was stopped by a Court Order. The former deputy governor was duely impeached according to the laid down rules of the Constitution. He went to Court praying that the new deputy governor should not be sworn-in. The Court granted him the Order on the claim that due process was not followed. Being a law abiding government we obeyed the Order. So, as it stands now, the Deputy- governor has been impeached”.

Imo New Deputy Governor, Mr Calistus Ekenze

He therefore stated that the Deputy Governor designate will not discharge his duties until the court order is vacated.

The governor Challenged Imo Politicians like Senator Hope Uzodinma, Ifeanyi Araraume, Osita Izunaso and others to float a Party if they have what it takes or do what he did in 2011 or in 2015, explaining that they are too unpopular that they would always want to be in every ruling Party, adding that the Coalition issue in the State has come to an end.

“People should advice Hope Uzodinma, Araraume and their cohorts to do what Rochas did in 2011. I went to PDP they refused me ticket. I went to President Jonathan, he told me that I cannot defeat an incumbent. I dared and moved to APGA without Ojukwu because shortly I went to APGA Ojukwu became ill and so, couldn’t come for my Campaign”.

He added “I moved to a Party without any structure, no Councillor or honourable member and I defeated an incumbent with all the honourable members, Senators, federal might and so on. I Challenge Hope, Araraume and Izunaso to be man-enough and go and pick up a Party and use it to win election rather than causing confusion in a united Party”.

According to him, “both Hope, Araraume, Ihedioha cannot win election without federal government, so that they will have access to Police and Army to write results. They are not popular politicians. I have seen why Hope insisted on joining APC and two weeks before the Convention so that he can have access to Police. He lost his Local Government to APC in the last House of Assembly election because he was not allowed to rig”.