By onyekachi eze/okey alozie
f there are no measures to check the high rate of disaffection and disagreement rocking the Imo state arm of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Governor Rochas Okorocha may be the only notable figure to be associated with the party as stakeholders are threatening to jettison him and APC for another platform.
The major trial for unity of purpose of Imo APC manifested in the recent ward and LGA Congressess of the Party with the climax on Sunday night at Government House, Owerri, where the major players and dependable allies of the governor showcased indignation over the alleged unbecoming attitude of the governor who is accused of not only imposing unpopular candidates but also disregarding the general interest of some apex leaders in his action.
According to our correspondent who has been monitoring APC congresses in the state, signs that danger lies ahead for the party became public Sunday night during the stakeholders meeting at Government House, for the purposes of ratifying the harmonized lists of exco. The well attended meeting was tempestuous as some die-hard followers of the governor and ranking politicians openly kicked against certain decisions of the governor on choice of candidates for ward, LGA and state Exco positions.
At the meeting to harmonize the party Exco lists, the National Organizing secretary and former Senator, Osita Isunaso reportedly staged a walkout on the governor following Okorocha’s indisposition to his desire and manner that the harmonization be carried out.
Same applies to another prominent politician and former governorship candidate of defunct ACN, Uche Onyeagocha who expressed misgivings by addressing the governor in an ill manner.
Apparently irked by the manner their arrowheads and apex leaders were ignored, a faction of Ahiazu APC including the Transition committee chairman, led by Victor Ihenacho, Adauctus Onuoha, Mrs Ngozi Onwubuariri, walked out with others following the non consideration of the interest of Chief P.C Onuoha and APC guber aspirant Dr Charles Onuoha as their favoured candidate for council’s APC chairmanship Cletus Onwuegbule was dropped in favour of that of the majority leader and member representing the area in the House f Assembly, Mrs Adaku Ihuoma.
It was learnt that Okorocha is tilting to the side of the majority leader by attempting to impose one Agulana as party chairman of Ahiazu against the wishes of the people of the area who rose and walked out en mass from the venue of the meeting after which they threatened to decamp to PDP.
Onyeagocha who is also an adviser to Okorocha on policy was said to have flayed up to express anger when he opened up to condemn the action. Sources close to the former lawmaker who represented Owerri Federal Constituency said that his ambition to run for the senate seat is threatened as the composition favoured his opponents especially, Ugochi Nnanna Okoro who is from the same Owerri West.
Trumpeta learnt that Onyeagocha is on his way out of APC except the governor takes measures to calm the nerves of aggrieved persons.
Another person that has packed out of the APC family house is the outgoing chairman, Prince Marshall Okaforanyanwu.
Sequel to the verbal declaration of Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state over the zoning of state APC chairmanship position to Owerri Zone which raised dust and questions in the lips and hearts of every APC Member in the state, the former APGA chairman, and presently the outgoing state chairman of All Progressive Congress, Prince Marshal Okaforanyanwu has officially declared intention to dump APC for a better option following the recent development in the arm of the party, saying that he believes in Internal Democracy rather than violation of constitution which is seen as a bedrock governing the affairs of the party.
He disclosed with dismay the sudden declaration made by Governor Okorocha whom he said took him and the party unaware. He stressed that congress is a public opinion and of the interest of masses rather than being conducted in Government House which is a total slap to transparent democracy. He opined that what Okorocha did regarding to the party’s position of a personal speculation which is not enshrined in the party’s constitution, insisting that he is still the interim chairman of APC until proven otherwise by the outcome of the ongoing party’s Congress. Okaforanyanwu added that the constitution is the bedrock and guideline of the affairs and stipulations of the party’s policies are documented, urging all party members to embrace the constitution to its, entities.
In a related development, he advised that Okorocha should learn to give a listening ear to his subjects, in as much as his subjects meant well for him, rather than violating and infringing upon their rights to his personal gain. However, he noted that for a good leader to achieve his aims and get popular support, he should learn how to make due consultations and apply caution to whatever may be the case.
Still speaking, he highlighted some of his achievements from APGA to APC which he chaired. Saying that his greatest achievement was the just concluded membership registration in the party which boost over 636,000 members adding that it is a big plus that demands commendation. Meanwhile, the Oru East born business mogul and politician opined that from the scratch, he never takes politics as a profession, but a call to serve the masses and bring succour where there is apathy. He pointed that the issue of joining another political party is a progressive move which is determined by the exigencies surrounding the person at a point in time.
However, he said that he is still part and parcel of APC until the conclusion of his consultations. Prince Okaforanyanwu maintained that nobody outside or inside the party will infringe upon his power and rights as the state interim officers are still working unanimously for the betterment of the party until the congress is consummated.
Similarly, he hightened on the popular support of the public urging him to contest for the stool, saying that if he had done nothing meaningful in the state, they would not have clamoured for his return. He opined that he nurtured the party from tutelage before it metamorphosed to a political party.
“If I had done bad in my leadership, people would not have clamoured for my return while I never had any intentions to run for the position. The constitution of the party has no provision for zoning raised by Governor Okorocha, so what matters is what the constitution says, and not what an individual says verbally done to personal interest”, Okaforanyanwu.
