Imo: Shut up, return all stolen money, properties – Ihedioha fires back at Okorocha

POLITICS

Imo: Shut up, return all stolen money, properties – Ihedioha fires back at Okorocha

 

The Governor of Imo State, Chief Emeka Ihedioha has told his predecessor, Rochas Okorocha, to shut up and return all government properties and monies, he and members of his family allegedly siphoned.

Okorocha was advised to toe the line instead of indulging in reckless utterances and blackmail gimmicks against Ihedioha.

This was contained in a statement on Sunday in Owerri, the State capital by Chief of Staff to Governor Ihedioha, Barr Chris Okewulonu.

Okewulonu was reacting to a statement credited to Okorocha wherein he asked Governor Ihedioha to stop running Imo as if he was still a lawmaker.

He said that the State was in a deplorable socio-economic political condition as a result of Okorocha’s visionlessness style of administration.

He described Okorocha as ”a braggart who is empty but claims to know everything. He is a Jack of trades but master of none. He should apologize to Imo people rather than seeking for cheap attention again after the horrible things he did in Imo “

Okewulonu said that “95% of the projects Okorocha claimed to have executed in Imo are either sub-standard or exist in his own imagination. Within a short time, Ihedioha’s achievements would dumb found Okorocha and his hirelings. The governor will not be distracted by the tantrums of a failure like Okorocha.

“I advise Okorocha to shut and stop disgracing himself further. He messed up Imo and left office in ignominy.

“Let him and his cronies first return all government properties and monies they illegally carted away before having the temerity to attempt blackmailing a government that is barely three weeks old. He who seeks for equity must first come with clean hands.”

“Okorocha’s hands are very dirty and he cannot therefore, criticize Governor Ihedioha known for excellence in service delivery,” Okewulonu added.

 

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Imo: Okorocha mocks Ihedioha, says governor behaving like Reps member

POLITICS

Imo: Okorocha mocks Ihedioha, says governor behaving like Reps member

 

Rochas Okorocha, former governor of Imo State, has challenged his successor, Emeka Ihedioha, to stop behaving like a lawmaker.

He said rather than settle down to his responsibility of governance, Ihedioha had been setting up committees as if he was still a member of the House of Representatives on oversight functions.

The governor stated this in a statement signed by his Media Aide, Sam Onwuemeodo, yesterday.

The statement read, “The new governor of Imo State, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, has not started to govern the state; looking at his activities and utterances so far.

“He has been embarking on oversight functions as if he is still at the National Assembly where he was, uninterruptedly, for 12 years.

“He has also been busy setting up series of committees with at least three committees a day, and has never done any serious thing or taken any serious step or said any serious thing to show that he has actually taken the seat as the governor of the state. He also seems not to have cared about asking questions.

“In the course of doing oversight functions even as governor, he would go to one bad dredging site which he won’t mention where it is, he would send out the photograph just to blackmail his predecessor or he would send out the photograph of one bad toilet they got from somewhere and said it was in the Government House. So petty and unserious all these days.

“The former governor left more than 1,000 verifiable projects behind for him. He has never cared to visit any of the projects to show that he has come to work and that he means well.

“If he could be showing the world one bad toilet we knew they got from Owerri Office of the PDP when landmark projects are located at various parts of the state waiting for him to see, and know what to do with them; then he hasn’t come for service.”

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Imo: Gov. Ihedioha finally receives Okorocha’s hand-over note

NEWS

Imo: Gov. Ihedioha finally receives Okorocha’s hand-over note

 

Governor Emeka Ihedioha of Imo State has finally accepted a handover note from his predecessor, Rochas Okorocha.

Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Uche Onyeagocha, received the note from Secretary to the Immediate past Governor, Arch. Emeka Duru, at the Cabinet Office, Owerri.

Governor Ihedioha had raised alarm that no document was handed over to him by the former Governor, Okorocha.

But the Okorocha government had claimed, in its response, that Ihedioha refused to honour the invitations from his predecessor to receive the handover notes properly before the inauguration.

The SSG, who received the document on behalf of the governor yesterday, handed it over to the Chief of Staff, Chris Okewulonu.

Okewulonu told reporters, “A copy of the hand over note should have been sent to the incoming before now for proper view between the outgoing and incoming Governor’s.

“We will go through the Document and further study them, and then let Imolites judge weather the said Hand over Note meets the Standard Requirements.”

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Ihedioha’s govt issues fresh order to ex-Gov. Okorocha’s commissioners, appointees

NEWS

Ihedioha’s govt issues fresh order to ex-Gov. Okorocha’s commissioners, appointees

 

The Imo State Government has directed those appointed by ex-Governor Rochas Okorocha, to vacate the state Commissioners’ Quarters.

This was contained in a terse press release signed by the Secretary to the Government of Imo state, Chief Uche Onyeagucha, on Friday.

According to the statement, “Government has observed with dismay that some past Commissioners and appointees are still occupying houses at the Commissioners Quarters at Concorde Avenue and other government premises.

“By this notice, the said occupants are hereby directed to vacate those Quarters immediately.”

Meanwhile, Governor Emeka Ihedioha of Imo has approved the constitution of a Financial Advisory Committee for the state government.

A press release signed by the Secretary to the Imo state government, Uche Onyeagucha, and issued to newsmen on Friday, named, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo as Chairman of the committee.

Others are: Mr. Nick Opara Ndudu (Secretary), Nze Charles Onwunali (Member), Mr. Kelechi Omeni-Nzewuihe(Member), Sir Chime Aliliele (Member), Mr. Charles Nwogu (Member), Mrs. UdezeIbezim (Member) and Mrs. Ify Maureen Okafor (Member).

The release stated that the committee’s terms of reference included to: ascertain and document the locations of and balances on all bank accounts operated by Imo State government, its Ministries, Departments and Agencies as at May 29, 2019.

“To review all financial transactions and where necessary a forensic audit, with a view to ascertaining sources of funds and the application of same.

“To review such disbursements/applications of State resources to ascertain the propriety of charges levied on accounts, interest payment on loans and deposits where applicable, authorization, etc.

“To review the operations of the Imo State Board of Internal Revenue (BIR) with a view to recommending appropriate strategies to reposition the agency for better performance and sustained growth.

“To conduct governance/financial reviews of key agencies of government with a view to document all revenues generated or subventions/allocations between 2011 – 2019 and reviewing the propriety of applications/disbursements of State resources between 2011 – 2019.”

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Gov. Ihedioha orders, reopening of Douglas Road, suspension of dredging activities in Imo

NEWS

Gov. Ihedioha orders, reopening of Douglas Road, suspension of dredging activities in Imo

 

The governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, has ordered the immediate suspension of all dredging activities in rivers within Owerri, the state capital.

A statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Chibuike Onyeukwu, yesterday said Ihedioha was miffed by the uncontrolled activities of those dredging the water bodies.

The governor also ordered the immediate reopening of Douglas Road, Owerri, which was closed by the immediate past governor, Rochas Okorocha.

The statement said that the governor gave the orders while taking facility tours in the state capital at the occasion marking the 2019 World Environment Day.

The statement reads in part, “The governor, who lamented the uncontrolled dredging activities in Owerri, ordered the immediate suspension of all dredging activities within the state capital.

“Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha has ordered the immediate reopening of Douglas Road, Owerri, closed by the last administration.

“The governor who gave the directive during a working visit to the area, expressed concern over the hardship faced by motorists as a result of the continued closure of the road, reiterating his commitment to making life more meaningful for the people of the state.

On the controversy over the relocation of Ekeukwu Owerri market, the statement said: “Governor Ihedioha assured the jubilant traders that the matter will be revisited, informing them of his plans to begin consultations with the traditional owners of the market and the leadership of Owerri, before a decision is taken on the matter.”

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Imo: Why I’m finding it difficult to work – Gov. Ihedioha cries out

NEWS

Imo: Why I’m finding it difficult to work – Gov. Ihedioha cries out

 

The Governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, has decried the failure of his immediate predecessor, Rochas Okorocha to handover documents containing the financial stance of the state to him.

Ihedioha lamented that he has no documents showing the financial status of the state, hence the difficulty of his administration to hit the ground running.

Against this backdrop, the governor said he asked all financial institution to stop transacting with his predecessor.

The governor also decried the condition of the state’s Government House, saying he can’t work from office.

He maintained that the Government House was an eye sore.

Vanguard quoted Ihedioha as saying yesterday: “We have difficulties operating from Imo Government House now. But I told Imo people that we will start work and give no excuses.

“We will give dividends of democracy irrespective of the state of facilities I inherited from the outgone administration.

“The government that ended was not prepared to handover or ready to receive us. I thank Imo people for receiving us and we shall serve the state with the fear of God.

“All financial institutions that have a relationship with Imo State Government should not honour any withdrawal instruction by cheques, transfers or in any form.

“No financial mandates, ISPOs or any form of financial instruction should be treated. All outstanding financial instructions already with banks and financial institutions should be put on hold.

“This directive covers all the accounts of ministries, departments, parastatals, local government councils, quasi-government agencies and all revenue generating organs of government.

“Banks and non-bank financial institutions are to take note and ensure compliance, as the state government will not be responsible for any disbursement, effected contrary to this directive.”

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Imo: Governor Ihedioha denies ordering the demolition of monuments built by Okorocha

POLITICS

Imo: Governor Ihedioha denies ordering the demolition of monuments built by Okorocha

 

Imo state governor, Emeka Ihedioha, has denied reports that he ordered the demolition of some monuments built by his predecessor, Rochas Okorocha.

Earlier today, a team of state government officials in company of some fierce looking soldiers, began the demolition of the Akachi center, a tourist site built by Rochas Okorocha  and was commissioned by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, last week.

Many people believed the demolition was on the order of the new state governor.

The governor has since denied this claim. Read his statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Osuji Steve, below...

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Imo: Don’t allow Okorocha collect Paris Club refund from Buhari govt – Group tells Ihedioha

NEWS

Imo: Don’t allow Okorocha collect Paris Club refund from Buhari govt – Group tells Ihedioha

The Imo Charter Forum, ICF, has urged the state’s incoming governor, Emeka Ihedioha to ensure that the balance of Paris Club refund due for the state is not released to the outgoing governor, Rochas Okorocha, whose tenure comes to an end in less than two weeks.

The supervising Finance Minister, Zainab Ahmed had last week, on Thursday in Abuja, stated that states yet to collect their balance of the Paris Club debts refunds would soon be paid.

She had said about N649.434 billion has been released for the final phase of the Paris Club debts refunds, adding that the total sum was verified by the Ministry as the outstanding balance to be paid to the state governments.

The Minister assured that states with outstanding balances of the refund would be paid in due course.

Reacting to the development, ICF in a statement signed by its National Secretary, Hon. Zebulon Nwariri, said while it welcomed the “announcement of the refunds with open arms, if the fund is released to the outgoing governors, they would find excuses to spend it on frivolities or even divert it to private coffers.”

ICF an umbrella body of different associations and stakeholders on governance and welfare of Imo State, stated that the previous releases of such funds have not been duly accounted for by some of the governors.

The Forum stated that the “case of Okorocha was peculiar, as the state under his rule presently owes workers and pensioners, several month salaries and pensions, the same with local contractors who executed jobs but have not been paid despite many of such Paris Club refunds and huge internally generated revenue.”

ICF urged the Federal Government to “wait for the incoming governors to be inaugurated so that the money would serve as their take-off grant, in view of the fact that many of them would be inheriting empty treasuries from the out-going ones.”

The statement reads: “We welcome the news by the Federal Government that the last tranche of Paris Club refund has been released. For us, this would serve as take-off grant for some of the incoming governors, most of who would be inheriting empty treasuries from the out-going governors.

“The case of Imo state is peculiar because Governor Rochas Okorocha has no respect for accountability and due process with finances and has always seen the money belonging to Imo State as his personal resource.

“The Federal Government may need to be reminded that Rochas is owing workers over six months of unpaid salaries, the same with pensioners and contractors. This is in spite of the fact the state rakes in much revenue from internal revenue streams, in addition to the huge releases in the past from the same Paris Club refunds.

“We, therefore, urge the incoming governor, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha to do whatever is legally possible to safeguard Imo State’s share of the latest refunds by making sure that the money is not released to Rochas before he lives office in a few days from now. He must ensure that the money does not go into the hands of out-going governor Rochas Okorocha as they say that prevention is better than cure.”

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Imo: Gov. Okorocha under investigation by EFCC

NEWS

Imo: Gov. Okorocha under investigation  by EFCC

 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday disclosed that it’s investigating the Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha.

EFCC disclosed that it’s investigating Okorocha and the state government for a case of money laundering.

The Commission’s zonal head for South East, Usman Imam during a briefing yesterday said the state government used funds meant for workers during the just concluded elections.

Usman stated that the Commission’s operatives blocked accounts belonging to the state government in the build-up to the election, following a tip-off.

According to Usman, EFCC’s timely intervention saved the state over N5bn that would have been deployed for vote buying by the Okorocha’s administration.

He said: “About N7.9bn is what had been blocked, although with pressure, subsequently, about N2.5bn was released for salaries. On the whole, we have over N5bn of those funds blocked; we are following up to see what actually happened.

“Honestly, what we discovered was that within two days, N700m was withdrawn in cash; N200m on the first day and N500m on the second day and all these monies were disbursed in a manner that was honestly unpalatable.

“Distribution to school teachers; I don’t know, schools that you were not funding and you wake up on the eve of the election and withdrew N500m cash and start distributing N1000 each or so to teachers. Whatever that means, I don’t know.

“When we came in, we were able to save about seventy something millions of the funds that we discovered were not disbursed, we also blocked it. People are still answering questions as to who asked them to move those monies, monies that were blocked at the banks.

“The sad story about this was that these monies were the intervention funds; the bailout funds that the Federal Government released to states to pay salaries when they were having problems paying salaries.

“They didn’t utilize that money to pay the salaries; they warehoused it and kept it until the election period, they started attempting to draw down the money. Whatever happens, we have saved over N5bn of that money, as we talk, two weeks to handover. Probably, the next government would have that money to use it better. There are a lot of other general investigations going on in Imo right now.”

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Imo: EFCC should focus on other state govs, Okorocha invested his personal money in Imo – Aide

NEWS

Imo: EFCC should focus on other state govs, Okorocha invested his personal money in Imo – Aide

 

Mazi Anayo Chukwu, Special Assistant on News Media to Imo Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has claimed that his boss used his personal money to work for the state.

According to him, Okorocha did so to cushion the effects of low allocation from the Federal Government.

Chukwu, who spoke to newsmen in Owerri yesterday said, in spite of the petitions submitted to some anti-graft agencies seeking his probe for alleged fraud, he had no skeleton in his cupboard.

He noted that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should focus attention on states with higher federal allocations.

The governor’s aide said Nigerians owe his principal some praise for using the state’s meagre resources to achieve a lot in the last eight years for the state.

He added that, if proper financial sheets were balanced, it will surprise many that he used his personal resources to work for the state.

He said, “Governor Rochas Okorocha is not afraid and can never be. Despite the little resources the state gets as federal allocation, the governor has achieved a lot.

“The EFCC and the security agencies should rather commend Okorocha for even investing his personal resources in the development of the state. The state gets so little in terms of federal allocation.

“The EFCC should rather beam its searchlight on those states that get huge amounts of money from the Federal Government. Governor Okorocha is a prudent man and has done well and should be commended.”

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Okorocha attacked by his kinsmen for neglecting his LGA for 8yrs

POLITICS

Okorocha attacked by his kinsmen for neglecting his LGA for 8yrs

 

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has come under fire from his kinsmen in Ideato South Local Government Council for allegedly neglecting them since assuming office in 2011.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday in Owerri, the Imo State capital, a community leader, Chief Tony Mbaegbu, claimed the people of Ideato South lacked social amenities such as good road, potable water, electricity and other infrastructure.

He accused Okorocha of being unfair to the people of the area.

He said: “While it is true that you are our son and brother, it is instructive that we make it abundantly clear to you that you dealt so treacherously with us, such that you kept the entire Ideato South in perpetual darkness.

“No electricity in the entire local government for your eight years tenure, which is rounding off in few days.

“A trip to Ideato South from all angles of the state is usually a tale of ruination, trepidation and outright neglect, with the exception of your last-minute fire brigade approach to road construction within your immediate community of Ogboko. Hence, virtually all the major entrances leading to Ideato North/South are in decay.

“Therefore, we plead that you do not break the bridge or unduly create enmity between our local government and the incoming administration such that it will become difficult for us to establish the needed good working relationship for the benefits of our neglected communities, even when we have you as our brother and governor of the state for eight years with little or nothing to show for it.”

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Gov. Okorocha's APC ordeal is nemesis – Ex-aide

POLITICS

Gov. Okorocha's APC ordeal is nemesis – Ex-aide

 

Rex Anunobi, the immediate past special adviser on Trade and Investment to Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, has described the travails of his former boss in the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, as nemesis at work.

Anunobi, who spoke with Daily Trust yesterday in Owerri, said what the governor was currently facing with regards to his certificate of return as senator-elect for Imo West District was what he meted out to some of his aides with who he defected to APC in 2015.

Anunobi accused Okorocha of not supporting his ambition to contest for the office of the National Organising Secretary of APC.

He said, “Thank God for a day like this. I remember how he treated most of us. I, Dr. Vitalis Ajumbe, Dr. Kelechi Okpaleke, Barr. Kingsley Ononuju, late Dr. Samfo Nwankwo, and so on.

“I remember the way he pleaded with me in 2015 and I mobilised all of them away from PDP then to join him in his new APC to ensure his re-election and Igbo support for Buhari.

“After victory, he and his family and privileged few cornered the sweat of all of us, without anything to show for our near suicide commitment in helping him back to power,” he said.

“Even when I consulted him to allow and support me to contest for the office of the National Organising Secretary of APC, he not only denied and disowned me, but sponsored a petition against me, and went ahead to bring out and funded another person against me,” he alleged.

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Okorocha undermines protest against establishment of new university in Imo

BREAKING NEWS

Okorocha undermines protest against establishment of new university in Imo

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has described the ongoing protest by Ohaji/Egbema youth over the establishment of University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at the main campus of Imo state polytechnic Umuagwo as mischievous.

He said the protest was being sponsored by some unpatriotic leaders in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area and some hostel owners in the area.

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In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Sam Onwuemeodo, in Owerri on Tuesday, Okorocha warned those behind the protest to desist from it and allow lofty projects of the government to thrive.

He said: “The attention of my government has been drawn to the misleading and inciting protest by some youths of Ohaji/Egbema LGA over the relocation of the state polytechnic.

“It is very unfortunate that some people have decided to play politics with everything in Imo, including developmental projects in the state.

“It is very bad that the youths have allowed themselves to be used for protest against the development of the state, otherwise why will any sensible youth protest against sitting of a university in their area?’’

NAN reports that the governor had announced the establishment of University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences which he named Aboh/Ngor Umuagwo University.

 

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He announced that the structure of Imo Polytechnic Umuagwo would house the new university, while the Polytechnic would be relocated to Ehime/Mbano Local Government Area (LGA).

The decision, however, led to a serious protest by leaders and youths of Ohaji/Egbema, the host community of Imo State Polytechnic.

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The National Universities Commission (NUC) issued the certificate of registration for the take-off of the University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences in Imo, as the 49th state-owned university in Nigeria on April 18.

 

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Imo Pensioners Label Gov. Okorocha As Wicked And Insensitive

​BREAKING NEWS

Imo Pensioners Label Gov. Okorocha As Wicked And Insensitive

The Imo State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, NUP, has described the state Governor, Rochas Okorocha as wicked and insensitive for planning to recalculate or reduce the pensions of retirees.

The group said the move was being embarked upon by the state government despite recent judgement of the National Industrial court.

The court had ruled that, “There is no law permitting the Imo State Government to alter or withhold any part of the pension of pensioners in the public service of Imo State. The Imo State Government or any of the defendants do not have the authority or power to alter or withhold any part of the pension of any retired civil servant.”

As a means of substantiating their allegation, the NUP recalled that, “government has failed, refused or neglected to pay the six per cent increase of 2003, 15 per cent of 2003 and 33 per cent of 2010, approved by the Federal Government and long implemented by our neighbouring states.

“It is embarrassing that Imo State Government has continued to claim falsely that it has cleared all pension arrears and gratuities owed Imo pensioners,” the union noted.

Going into specifics, the union leaders said that, “Imo Broadcasting Corporation retirees are owed between 47-59 months, civil service pensioners, 33 months, retired primary school teachers, 43-63 months and Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, 50-90.

“It must be said that the government’s announcement, purporting to remove allowances in pension, amounts to contempt of court and breach of the verdict of the National Industrial Court,” Imo NUP maintained.

                                                  

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I Won't Pack Imo State Money - Gov. Okorocha Vows

​BREAKING NEWS

I Won't Pack Imo State Money - Gov. Okorocha Vows

Governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha, has vowed not to steal money before he hands over to his successor on May 29, 2019.

He stated this when the people of Ideato North, including their chiefs and leaders, came to pay him a solidarity visit on Sunday.

Okorocha also said when he came to run for the governorship, when no one believed that one could win, especially those from the opposition party.

“I have few months to go, but still, I have declared road revolution.

“The usual feeling is for outgoing governors to pack money and leave at the end of their tenure; but I will not pack money, I will continue to work till 11.30am of May 29, 2019,” the Governor said.

Okorocha has already endorsed Uche Nwosu, his Chief of Staff and son-in-law, as the next Governor of the state.

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Imo Guber: Okorocha's Move To Impose His Son-Inlaw On Imo People Won't Work - Ajumbe

​BREAKING NEWS

Imo Guber: Okorocha's Move To Impose His Son-Inlaw On Imo People Won't Work - Ajumbe

A former Commissioner of Information in Imo state, and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Vitalis Ajumbe has vowed that the people of Imo state would resist any attempt by Governor Rochas Okorocha to impose his Chief of Staff and son-in-law, Uche Nwosu as governor of the state in 2019.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after an APC function in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia state, Ajumbe noted that the Governor has right to endorse whoever he want, but can not decide to Imo people who will be their next governor.

He pointed out that Imo people would choose their next governor at the appropriate time, insisting that Okorocha cannot force his in-law on the members of the party in the state.

Ajumbe said,”Governor Okorocha has the right to endorse any person. As a governor he has his structures. He has a right to endorse any person within his group”.

“But what I’m trying to say is that he cannot impose that on Imo people and APC. So, if he endorses Uche Nwosu, he has the right to endorse whoever he wants to support.

“That does not mean at the end, that person will fly. No. Imo people will decide at the poll. Let him endorse. But Imo people will elect.”

The APC chieftain expressed confidence that the APC primary election in the state would be free and fair, devoid of malpractices.

“The primaries is going to be free and fair. The delegates’ election will be free and fair. That very day Imo people will speak and Rochas”.

Okorocha had in February publicly endorsed his Chief of Staff, Mr. Uche Nwosu as next Imo governor in 2019.

But the endorsement has pitched Okorocha against majority stakeholders of APC in the state.

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