Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has come hard again on the APGA party that two years threw him into Governorship of the state.
In apparent reaction to his recent suspension by APGA, Okorocha gave it back to the Igbo-oriented party that he has no regret leaving them to newly registered APC.
Trumpeta weekend edition had reported the alarm raised by APGA leadership over alleged plot by Okorocha to ensure the party’s downfall. The Victor Umeh led party alleged that the Governor’s suspected romance with National Secretary of the party shinkafi is capable of destabilizing renewed efforts to put the party in great pedestal.
A day after the report, Okorocha was handed a suspension and the state exco of the party dissolved by the national body of APGA.
Calling the bluff of the party, Okorocha who sang the praises of the new party in a Town Hall of event of the Imo State Congress of America, 2013 National Convention, in Atlanta USA, said that the purported action of a faction of APGA is of little political consequence as the party lacks the national spread to ensure Igbos make significant headway in the political leadership of the nation.
According to him “APC remains the best vehicle to promote the interest of our people. PDP has marginalized the South East and has nothing to show for all its years in power”
Governor Okorocha urged Ndigbo to embrace the APC because it guarantees equity and political opportunities denied by the ruling party.
He described the APC as a national party made up of progressive elements determined to ensure equitable distribution of political offices to all tribes in the country and as one of the tripod on which the country stands stating that the APC was set to redress the injustices to Ndigbo made by the PDP and urged all progressives south easterners to line up behind the new party and ensure it produces the next leaders of the country at all levels.
“Igbos has not produced the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House or the Chief Justice of the Federation but I am confident under APC, one or more of these positions will come to the southeast”.
Gov. Okorocha urged Ndigbo to channel their energies and resources towards the development of their homeland and suggested a set date for Nigerians in the diaspora to return home.
“Our people should learn to leave America and return home at a certain date to contribute meaningfully to the development of our dear state”.
He pledged the commitment of his administration towards providing enabling environment to assist those willing to return home.
“My administration has embarked on projects that have significantly improved infrastructure in the state and has tackled the issue of security such that for the past six months the issue of kidnapping and other social vices have reduced significantly”.
He challenged those really interested in tapping the potentials of the state to partner with his administration for mutual benefit.
The governor however warned Igbos in the diaspora to guard against greed and corruption, urging them to lend a hand to the less privileged in the society.
It would be recalled that the National Executive Council of APGA in Abuja on Saturday accused Okorocha of anti-party activities for associating with the APC.
In a communiqué read at the end of the NEC’s meeting by Alhaji Tayo Sowunmi, APGA’s National Vice Chairman (South-West), the party also announced the dissolution of the State Executive Committee of APGA in Imo.
In the communiqué, the NEC unanimously resolved to suspend Okorocha from the party for anti-party activities, which were contrary to the provisions of the APGA constitution.
“The NEC also unanimously resolved to dissolve the Imo Executive Committee of APGA with immediate effect.
“A 21-member caretaker committee shall be appointed to run the affairs of the party in Imo pending the conduct of the state congress”, the NEC said in the communiqué.”
