By Okey Alozie
Another new dimension is now characterizing the allegation governor Rochas Okorocha recently made concerning oath-taking exercise he warned the political class against administering their followers and party chieftains in the state. Information available to our news desk revealed that the Rescue Mission camp, controlled by Owelle Rochas Okorocha, Governor of Imo State is stamping its authority on a rival group suspected be loyal to one of APC Guber Aspirant from Okigwe zone.
Speculations were rife that the oath taking allegation which the governor failed to mention any name was targeted at a leader of the party said to be dragging party structures with him in Imo APC.
Those suspected to have taken oath to work against the rescue mission interest were said to have been listed out and thereafter were banned from partaking in the activities of the state government. Trumpeta learnt that when news filtered in that some LGA chairmen of the party met with a Chieftain who provided logistics for their transport, the state governor was furious. But the incident was leaked to Okorocha who summoned a meeting where he lashed at them for betrayal and subjugating themselves to the rival. Thereafter, the governor was said to have sent out the accused ones from the meeting. The action didn’t go down well with the accused ones. While some returned to the governor to not only show remorse and ask for forgiveness, others stood their grounds, stating that they have every reason to associate with any leader of the party, especially when the governor does not care about the welfare of the party at the LGA and Ward levels.
Angered by this, the Chairmen called a meeting before moving to Abuja to register their grievances against Governor Okorocha. Before departing to the FCT, the 15 “revolutionary” party chairmen complained bitterly of hunger and starvation ravaging their families despite their positions in APC.
The further revealed that the Chairman of all Chairmen in the state, Hon Luke Ekwueme is not protecting their interest by alleging that he is the only one government is favouring instead of carrying all the party chairmen along for things to work fine in the party.
The state party chairman, Hon Hilary Eke, was also accused of adopting an indifference approach by playing double standard on the issue of party welfare.
According to the aggrieved LGA party chairmen, Chief Eke, got the report of the alleged oath taking story and agreed to mediate between the governor and those that were accused.
Instead of delving into the matter he was accused of indulging in a “play a hide and seek game” to the detriment of the chairmen.
This newspaper was however informed that two party chairmen from Orlu zone are unrepentant about their decision to pitch tenth with a Chieftain of the party. The chairmen, who are uncomfortable with the reaction of the governor shot said to moved to Abuja last weekend where they were also said to have gone to report to the leadership of the party and some Abuja based APC members of Imo extraction how they are facing maltreatment and segregation at the home front.
The latest development is causing ruckus in Imo APC as the Abuja faction of the party are backing the embattled LGA party chairmen against Okorocha.
