thompson agu Abuja, peter zuoma
The moves by the Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha to return to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has created problems among PDP members who have threatened to leave the party enmasse if Okorocha is allowed to return to the party for the purpose of his second term bid in office.
Since Trumpeta Newspaper broke the news about Okorocha’s plot to stage a come-back to the party he dumped in 2011 for the All progressives Grand Alliance APGA, under which platform he fought and removed PDP Government from office, Imo PDP top shots have relocated to Abuja, the Nation’s capital where a series of meetings have been going on to frustrate Okorocha’s efforts to take over the party’s structure as its governorship candidate in 2015 election.
Trumpeta can authoritatively report that a great number of PDP members are against Okorocha joining the party, even though no body can constitutionally stop the Ogboko born Ideato South LGA politician pitching tent with any political party of his choice.
This Newspaper learnt that all the PDP Governorship Aspirants in Imo have shown their disdain in the matter, as they believe that Okorocha’s return to PDP will dash their own hopes after sustaining the party all these years.
Not only that, they argue that Okorocha has done every thing possible to destroy PDP in Imo, including occasional insults on President Jonathan, only to now feel that it is in PDP he will realize his 2015 dreams to win a second term election in Imo State.
Okorocha antonogists believe that the Governor had a systematic plot to impoverish Imo PDP followers, which he has been following to the letter since the last three years, and therefore should not be allowed to now reap from where he did not sow.
However, despite all the concern shown by Imo PDP members, Trumpeta learnt that the Presidency is already negotiating to receive Okorocha back to PDP any time from now.
It was learnt that the Presidency yesterday had a crucial meeting with some Imo PDP top shots on the Okorocha matter.
Those in attendance include Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Dr. Mrs. Kema Chikwe, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, Senator Hope Uzodinma, Chief ID Nwoga, Col Lambert Iheanacho, Barr. Eze Duruiheoma and others.
Though Trumpeta could not ascertain fully all that transpired in the meeting, but it was learnt that the issue of zoning Imo Governorship topped the Agenda, as it was agreed that even if Okorocha returns to PDP, he should bury the dream of going for a second term as that will make it 16 years Orlu Zone has held to Government House Owerri, to the detriment of Okigwe and Owerri Zones.
Trumpeta learnt that at this juncture emmeseries from Okorocha agreed that the Governor may prefer that Orlu Senatorial seat instead of nothing at all in 2015, a submission which Trumpeta learnt Senator Hope Uzodinma kicked against.
However, Trumpeta sources said the meeting ended without a conclusion on when or whether Okorocha will return to PDP, but independent sources confirmed to Trumpeta that it is just a matter of weeks before Okorocha returns to PDP because the idea is that he should join before the party carries out its delegate elections this month.
But feelers coming from PDP members indicate that the party will lose many followers as thousands of Imo PDP members have indicated interest to leave the party in droves should Okorocha join the party.
Their anger is that Okorocha neither treated Imo PDP members as those in same party with him before he jumped to APGA in 2011, nor did he bother to feel for them as he unleashed draconian policies on them, together with every plot to destroy any thing that has to do with PDP, including demolishing structures erected by former PDP governors in the state.
Meanwhile, the Okorocha plot to return to PDP has cooled activities of the PDP Governorship Aspirants, as they are all now confused of what is the fate of their projects, since Okorocha’s return will destroy all their plans.
Trumpeta has it from a reliable source that President Goodluck Jonathan is disposed to receiving Okorocha within the PDP family, as he is desperate for PDP to take over Imo State in 2015, and to wicken Governor Rotimi Amaechi in Rivers State, and wipe out APC from Igboland, since Imo is the only state in the South East occupied by an APC Governor.
It was learnt that Okorocha will be delighted to join PDP as it will bring him into the good book of President Goodluck Jonathan, and spare him some problems after leaving office. Again Okorocha, it was learnt has discovered that APC cannot fly in the South East, and is now looking for an escape route, since his ambition to be the Vice Presidential candidate of APC may not materialize, while he may also suffer defeat if he executes his second term under APC.
Meanwhile, the centre can no longer hold in the camp of the governor of Imo State following air of disquiet reigning in Government House, Owerri over the rumour mill that Owelle Rochas Okorocha is plotting to return to PDP. While no official had the courage to discuss the matter in the open, most govt officials and office holders have been maintaining sealed lips except for a terse statement from the media Aide to the governor, Sam Onwuemeodo denying the move.
An incident that shows that uneasy calm pervades the seat of power is an unsavoury scene between the Speaker Hon. Ben Uwajumogu and security details in Govt House Owerri.
Trumpeta learnt that Uwajumogu was slightly humiliated as a result of the tensed situation in Okorocha’s camp when he was delayed from attending a crucial meeting Okorocha summoned for some monarchs, appointees and party facilitators. It was gathered that as soon as the governor entered for the meeting which commenced at about 2pm in the afternoon, an order was given for no thoroughfare. This was the order until Speaker Uwajumogu arrived. His convoy of cars was not allowed access before he alighted to make it by foot. Same fate befell Anwuka, the SSG before he crossed the hurdles to join the meeting.
Some aspirants under APC for the 2015 election were said to be troubled by the report of Okorocha planned return to PDP as they reserved their comments.
Meanwhile, the statement from Okorocha noted that the governor has never contemplated “and to say the least, does not think about joining the PDP because there is no reason for that either at the moment or in the nearest future especially when PDP is now stagnant in Imo State, thinking about which leg to put forward first”.
The statement noted that the presence of Gov Godswill Akpabio and T.A Orji of Abia State to the governor’s daughter’s wedding is not unusual to indicate he is joining PDP.
