By victor madumere
The claims and counter-claims between Governor Rochas Okorocha and the Leader of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike over the processes that made the number one citizen of Imo state governor is unending as the MASSOB leader insists he actually facilitated the APGA ticket to the governor.
Speaking to journalists moments after he accompanied re-instated chairman of Imo state council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya to retake the secretariat of Ndi Eze Imo in New Owerri, Uwazuruike described how he convinced the leadership of APGA, led by late Ikemba Ojukwu and national leader of the party to give Okorocha the party’s governorship ticket.
In his words “Late Odimegwu Ojukwu never ascribed to his membership let alone being the party’s governorship candidate, but as Ojukwu trusted confidant I convinced him to accept his membership and aspiration. I did same on Chief Victor Umeh’s led National Executive” Uwazuruike disclosed.
He stated that it was based on his (Uwazuruike’s) integrity and antecedent that the leadership of the party banked on to accept Okorocha in APGA and gave him the candidacy he never had in all his political ambition and aspiration.
“It was on that premise that the leadership of the party agreed that, their Imo guber ticket will be given to me for me to hand it over to whoever I know and believe that will be his brother’s keeper and deliver for the party in the general interest of Imo people. In the presence of some state and national APGA leaders I handed the ticket to Rochas Okorocha in my house at Okwe, Onuimo LGA” he revealed.
Speaking further, Chief Uwazuruike, told newsmen that he did what he did with the believe that Rochas was a true Igboman considering his utterances and promises.
However, the Okwe born lawyer and activist averred that Okorocha’s actions and utterances afterwards have proved that he is not a true Igbo man let alone a leader or manager, as he has ended up making himself an emperor with total neglect on constituted authorities, human rights, due process, judiciary, law and order at the detriment of Imo electorate and Igbo race.
Barr Uwazuruike, submitted that the emergence of Okorocha as Imo state governor has exposed his lack of leadership and managerial qualities, his vindictive tendencies and total lack of Igboness in him, making it impossible for any right thinking Imo and Igbo man to support any other political ambition he will undertake in the future.
