By Stephenie Michaels/ Tochi Onyeubi/ Onyinyechi Amakaulo
For the uptempth time, Governor Rochas Okorocha and his followers in APC are at the losing end of the battle for the soul of Imo APC, as they failed to take part in the LGA congresses that took place on Monday.
The LGA congress earlier scheduled for Saturday 12 May 2018, had to be put off for Monday 14 May, following the fire outbreak at the party secretariat, at IMSU junction, Okigwe road, Owerri.
Trumpeta correspondents who monitored the LGA congresses report that the Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha and his followers known as the rescue mission boycotted the event while the coalition forces otherwise known as the Allies Forces members were present.
Government agents had disclosed that the postponed LG congress was due to the circumstances surrounding the conduct of the ward congresses, arguing that until the results were declared, no LGA congress would be held in the state.
But the State Party Chairman, Hillary Eke in a statement made public declared that the LG congresses would go on even as the NWC spokesman Malam Bolaji Abdulahi foreclosed chances of fresh ward congress in Imo when he announced that the party has gone beyond the ward congress matter.
To set the stage for the conduct, the NWC sent congress committee members who distributed the materials to the 27 LGAs in the state. Trumpeta was told that Barr Gabriel Tsenye, was incharge of the conduct in Imo and the vice chairman of the party, Hon Nzekwe Ugochukwu supervised the distribution of material.
Chairman of the APC Coalition in the State Dr Uzoma Obiyo while reacting said that both the ward and local government congresses in the state were very successful with full participation of members.
He frowned at those who attempted to destruct the conduct of the congresses in the State, insisting that such attempts are anti-democratic and against the democratic etos for which APC is known.
Dr Obiyi explained that APC as a party has the mandate to return President Buhari in power for the second tenure. Pointing out that because of that mandate, that all members of the party need to work together to achieve that.
According to him, “the ward and local government congresses in Imo State are widely accepted and any attempt to twarth the collective wish of the people will be resisted by my group the coalition”.
And therefore urged the National Working Committee of the party to ensure that peace returns in APC in Imo State ahead of the future electoral challenges.
The camp of the governor had gone jubilating when an announcement from the national office of APC called off the weekend congress. Nzekwe and other party digneries witnessed the event.
Our reporters led by Stephanie Michaels, Tochi Onyeubi report about the LGAs
Oguta
G16 Leader, Re-elected
At the APC secretariat of Oguta LG, party faithful gathered to elect the incumbent, Hon Casmir Ohamara for another four year term. Ohamara from Agwa, who is the G16 leader, was elected alongside Hon Emma Ifuma, the Secretary and Mrs Stellamararis Ifejirika the Woman Leader. Speaking, Ohamara thanked the party members for another chance. He asked the people to vote APC candidates starting from President Muhammadu Buhari to other candidates, the party will select as flagbearers for the 2019 election.
Isiala Mbano: Araraume Hails Members
A leader of the party in the state, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume was on ground to address the audience as Chief Julius Asagwara emerges as APC Chairman Isiala Mbano LGA.
The headquarters of APC, Isiala Mbano LGA, witnessed a mammoth crowd of party members who came to elect party LGA Exco and 3 National Delegates of the party.
The event which witnessed the presence of Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, Hon Chiji Collins, Barr Ebere Osuji, Hon Chikwem Onuoha, Hon Ukachukwu Nwokoro and many other party dignitaries started and ended on a peaceful note.
The entire executives led by Asagwara were elected unopposed as well as 3 National delegates namely. Hon Chikwem Onuoha, Hon Ukachukwu Nwokoro and Lady MC Ihekire.
The LGA congress Committee Chairman for Isiala Mbano described the process as free and fair and as the best so far witnessed. Chief Asagwara on behalf of the Exco thanked the party members for reposing confidence on him and his members.
Hon Chiji Collins thanked Senator Araraume for his support to the party in LGA and State. Speaking after the process was concluded, Senator Araraume thanked the party members for their orderly conduct. He assured them of his continues support to the party he described the process as a democracy in action and the deepening of internal democratic norms in APC”
The process was witnessed by INEC Officer in charge of the LGA, the DPO and some society organizations.
Mbaitoli:
Amadi Re-Elected
Allies of the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere were on ground at the council headquarters of the party to re-elect Barr Tony Amadi as party Chairman
Ikeduru:
Onuekwusi Elected
Hon Isaac Onuekwusi was returned as the party Chairman alongside other Exco members.
Ehime Mbano
A Successful Outing
Hon Vice Agu elected as chairman, Hon Goddy Nwaehie, Vice Chairman Engr Chukwuemeka Egeasi, Secretary and Mrs Chinyere Ndubuisi, Woman Leader, 26 offices were contested and won together with that of the physically challenged won by Anyanwu Chinedu.
Obowo:
Osuagwu Emerges
The result of Obowo Local Government Area shows that Lawrence Osuagwu emerged as new APC Chairman, Sam Eke succeeded as the Vice Chairman, Mrs Ann was elected Woman Leader of Obowo LGA to be assisted by Ada Agbugba while Hon Ben Osuagwu takes the position of Auditor to be assisted Gerry Kekeocha.
Chinagorom Cyracus was voted in as LGA Youth Leader, to be assisted by Jephet Osundu. Chibuzor Anyanwu emerged as new LGA Secretary to be assisted by Mercel Nwokorie. Barr Mike Nduleke was voted in as new Legal Adviser to be assisted by Lady Ijeoma Anozie. John Kekeocha is the financial secretary while Obinna Charles emerged the new Assistant Secretary.
Jude Anyanwu scored the highest vote to become Organizing Secretary, while Elias Ohakwe the Assistant Organising Secretary.
Aboh Mbaise LGA.
The congress took place at Ovuru and Julian Nwogu was returned as the Chairman. Other officers also emerged.
Ohaji Egbema:
Records Peaceful
The All Progressives Congress, APC, Local Government which held yesterday across Imo state recorded a huge success especially in Ohaji Egbema L.G.A, as officers were returned with voice votes.
The election which returned Hon. Rev. Emma Ebomuche as Chairman also returned Mr. Kingsley Nmara as Vice Chairman, Barr. A.B.C Ike as Secretary, Mrs. Florence Umah as Woman Leader including 18 other executives of the party and four ex- officio of the party.
In an interview with the Chairman Congress Committee, Hon. Ofili .J. Ijoma, he informed that, the congress which held at the party secretariat in Umuokanne Ohaji Egbema, recorded a peaceful outing, with expected delegates turning out and security officials around to forestall any break down of law and order.
He further informed that, everything went in-line with party guidelines adding that, after passing through the necessary accreditation, members were returned on voice vote.
Meanwhile, worried by scathing remarks made against the National Working Committee, NWC of the All Progressive Congress, APC, by Governor Rochas Okorocha, the party’s leadership has cautioned the governor to be mindful of his comments and allegation concerning the conduct of the congresses.
Okorocha had last week blamed his present predicament concerning the outcome of the ward congress on his stance against Tenure Elongation of the party officials in the past. The governor went further to make remarks suggesting those at the national office of the party are against him.
In response to the stance of Okorocha, the NWC through National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdulahi, accused him of being malicious. According to the party’s spokesman “Okorocha shouldn’t transfer his frustration on NWC”
Reports have it that Okorocha took a swipe at the National Chairman, Chief Odiegie- Oyegun and the National Organizing Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso, accusing the duo and other top hierarchy of the party of conspiracy and engaging in fraudulent activities in the just concluded wards and local government congresses.
The APC spokesman said “with due respect, Governor Okorocha is being malicious and unfair to the NWC. If he has mismanaged his relationship with his own people, in a way that they now constitute an encumbrance to him, he should not transfer his frustration to the NWC.
“it is certainly not right to set fire to the village because you want to kill a rat if Governor Okorocha has any specific grievance, he should come forward with them rather than making his generalized accusations” Abdulahi said.
