FEW days to the commencement of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) ward congresses across the country, the party stakeholders in Imo state on Wednesday stormed the party national secretariat to protest alleged meddlesomeness of the state governor, Rochas Okorocha in the running of the state chapter.
Led by Chief Okey Ikoro, Imo APC Stakeholders Forum alleged that Governor Okorocha at the weekend conducted a mock Congress and had prepared a list of his anointed candidates for the various positions.
They further alleged that plot by Governor Okorocha to impose his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, as the governorship candidate, ahead of the 2019 general elections would spell doom for the ruling party.
He said: “This visit will make or mar PDP in Imo state. With 27 local government, 19 aren’t working with the governor. APC has been appropriated by one man and we don’t think APC should be destroyed because of the activities of one man. APC should be owned by Imo people, it isn’t a family party. There is bitterness in the APC family and it is divided.
“At our meeting on April 28, 2018, we condemned the hijack of the party in Imo state by Governor Rochas Okorocha.
“The stakeholders condemned the usurpation of roles of party functionaries. We demand separation of the party from the governor and his moves to instal his son- in- law as the party governorship candidate. It has crippled the party.
“His several anti-people policies are destroying the party: his forceful acquisition of land, displacement of market in the name of urban renewal, fraudulent handling of pension, illegal conversion of state property to family property.
“Governor Okorocha has conducted mock primary and produced candidates for forthcoming elections. We are worried about his unnecessary altercations with the Catholic church. The Catholic church controls 60% of the votes, they ensured his victory in 2015. Our party chances are threatened and we need to separate the party from the one who wants to undermine its success in 2019.”
The Imo APC Stakeholders further alleged that Governor Okorocha is already negotiating with the Social Democratic Party, (SDP) once APC is no longer popular.
“We disassociate ourselves from Rocha’s Okorocha retrogressive policies, we are also determined to recall our federal representatives for endorsing Okorocha son in law.”
Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu spoke in the same vein as he called on the national working committee led by Chief Odigie Oyegun to intervene and rescue the party from total destruction in Imo state.
“Something is wrong with Governor Okorocha. If you don’t intervene, it will be a miracle for us to retain Imo state. It will also affect us in other States in the south-east. We are hopeful of winning southeast but with a man like Governor Okorocha, we are heading towards perdition. He has refused to pay workers, denied pensioners their pension, he has appropriated the role of the NWC. He has conducted primaries and produced candidates for 2019 elections. You need to move in and save the party.”
In his response, Chief Oyegun thanked the party chieftains for remaining resolute not to defect from the party, inspire of the unsavoury picture they painted. He assured them that his leadership would look into their grievances but urged them to be ready to make compromises to resolve the crisis.
“I want to thank you for your dedication. Despite the bad picture you painted, I am happy that you have resolved not to leave the party. But it is painful that in the only state we have in the south-east, we are divided. So, as national chairman, we as NWC will do everything possible so that an acceptable platform, an acceptable compromise will be reached.
“I am not aware of the development in the state but I urge you that victory can be achieved in a united family. But while I insist on peace and unity, there must be justice. You have a role to play in 2019 and you cannot play that role by opting out.
“I have been saying that Imo state will play a pivotal role in our taking south-east. But I want to urge you that whatever anyone says, we are prepared to conduct a free, fair, transparent primaries and reconcile all the tendencies but you must be ready to make a compromise.”
and then