By okey alozie
The last may not have been heard of the next political movement of Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state following cloudy reports about a reported development of his renewed interest to seek the face of President Goodluck Jonathan ahead 2015 election.
Indications are rife that the shaky status of Okorocha in the All Progressive Congress, APC, where he acts as the chairman of the party’s governor’s forum, may have forced him to look the way of the president for the umpteenth time.
Trumpeta gathered that this changing trend of romancing Jonathan was necessitated following the presence of a former governor of Bayelsa state, (names withheld) who was a visitor to Government House, Owerri for days. The visiting former governor Bayelsa, home state of President Jonathan enjoys warm relationship with the President and can be said to be Jonathan’s ally and marksman in scoring political points within the South South and South East Region.
Our correspondent learnt that the ex-governor who was recently left off the hook for an alleged criminal offence was spotted in Government House, Owerri last week as guest of the state government. The former Bayelsa state Chief executive, it was gathered spent more than two days in Owerri for undisclosed reasons,
But authoritative sources in Government House, Owerri revealed that the former governor may have been in Owerri on the request of officials of the state government who are said to be employing fence-mending devices to seek the face of President Jonathan ahead 2015 election.
It was learnt that considering Okorocha’s uncomfortable situation in APC where he is under severe attack for dumping APGA, recent impeachment threat plaguing the Adamawa state governor, Muntala Nyako by the State Assembly, and the ID card Northerner saga, a reapproachment with Mr President became necessary to not only avoid the weight of presidency but also get safe landing for second term.
The horse-trading and intrigues to relaunch affinity with Jonathan is said to be the reason behind the coming of the Bayelsa ex-governor, who was President’s former boss and enjoys a plum position at the federal level.
Trumpeta further gathered that the deal is just passing infant stages and would soon reach a concrete stage before public knowledge.
It would be recalled that in 2011, Okorocha who ran under APGA adopted and canvassed support for Jonathan. Both enjoyed support from Imolites irrespective of party affiliation
One of Okorocha’s campaign posters and flyers had pictures bearing him and Jonathan stationed at different locations in the state
The APGA/PDP working relationship was also believed to have been instrumental to Okorocha’s eventual success. That was the situation until Okorocha decamped to APC from APGA.
Phone calls put across to the media unit of the governor for comments remained unanswered before press time.
Meanwhile, a mild drama is said to have played out last week at Freedom Square located on Bank road, Owerri, venue for the APC Owerri Federal Constituency sensitization programme.
During the occasion, the State Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha declared that he is set for All Progressive Congress (APC) Presidential primaries that are coming up in few months time. He insisted that he wants to go for the presidency in 2015 to rescue the entire nation, adding that he only descended to be a Governor just to rescue Imolites.
Speaking further, the Governor said he is much in a haste to go for the presidency and that as soon as he gets the APC ticket winning the presidency will be a simple thing to him. He boasted of intentions to disgrace any candidate that PDP will present in the 2015 presidential election.
Okorocha who acknowledged cheers while addressing a mammoth crowd stated that it will be an insult for him to descend so low to contest with people like Araraume, Chris Anyanwu and few others who are aspiring for Governorship in Imo come 2015.
In his words “My mates in election are people like Goodluck Jonathan, Ibrahim Babangida and Abubakar Atiku who are seen as political heavy weights in Imo”, Okorocha said.
Speaking further, the Governor said after the APC presidential primary, he will then think of considering the demand for Imo people and to contest the Governorship position.
Okorocha who showcased poetic license and dramatic in his speech while thrilling the audience maintained that all Imolites who want him to come out to re-contest should first announce him as consensus candidate.
He also demanded that people of the state should contribute money and raise big fund before he will accept to run for Governorship for the second time.
He used the opportunity to present to Imolites all APC state chairmen that are loyal to him as well as his Nigerian Rescue group member who are heavily supporting his presidential ambition.
