There have been concerns in Imo State All Progressives Congress APC, over the status of the former governor of Imo State, and Senator representing Orlu zone, Senator Rochas Okorocha, along with his political co-travellers, such as former Senator that represented Okigwe zone, Ifeanyi Araraume, in the party structure in the state.
Recall that Okorocha along with members of his political family, who claim to be the original founders of the APC in the state, had refused to recognise the Chieg Marcon Nlemigbo led State Executive Council, insisting on the recognition of Mr. Daniel Madueke Nwafor, as the authentic chairman of the party in the state.
Okorocha and his co-travellers, had also refused to participate in the re-registration and revalidation exercise, carried out in the state, insisting that such exercise can only be legal if conducted by Daniel Nwafor led executive, instead of Nlemigbo.
Okorocha had taken the matter to the National Headquarters of the party, where he and his supporters made their case known to the National leadership of the party.
The revalidation exercise, which was extended to accommodate Okorocha and his political associates have expired, with Okorocha and his co-travellers, refusing to participate.
Okorocha and his political family were also noticeable absent during the just concluded ward Congress of the party, which took place successfully across the state.
With Okorocha’s recent romance with the govenror of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, his comments about a new political movement, and his refusal to identify with the Hope Uzodinma led All Progressives Congress APC in the state, rumours have started making the rounds of a likely defection of Okorocha and his co-travellers to another political party.
The Peoples Democratic Party PDP have seemed to be a more likely option for them, and even Uche Nwosu’s denial of not planning to dump the APC for the PDP, to douse the rumour that made the rounds recently of his planned defection, have not done much, in convincing people that Okorocha and his political associates are still members of the party.
“There cannot be two captains in a ship,” a ward executive who spoke to MaaziTV stated. “It’s either Okorocha acknowledges the new sheriff of he moves away to another party. Senator Hope Uzodinma is the leader of the party in Imo State today, just like Rochas Okorocha, as govenror, was leader of the party.
“The late Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu was a Senator of the APC when Okorocha was still govenror, and never struggled for leadership of the party with Okorocha, despite being a founding member of the party like Okorocha claims he is.
“Right now, whether Senator Hope Uzodinma was with the party from the start, or joined in 2018, he is the leader of the party, by virtue of being govenror, and Senator Rochas Okorocha must accept that fact or join another party.
“The congress is gradually making the party stronger not just on the state, but beyond. Okorocha’s membership of the party cost us a lot. His exit would be a blessing.”
