Due to the outright denial by some South East governors who Governor Rochas Okorocha had suggested would dump the opposition and join the All Progressive Congress (APC), the Imo State government has said he may have spoken about it prematurely.
He had been reported to have said that he was in touch with three serving PDP governors in the region and they would soon be joining the APC Tribune .
But in a swift reaction, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors including Dave Umahi of Ebony State and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State as well as Willie Obiano of Anambra State elected under the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) denied that they would defect to APC.
Obiano had in his reaction alleged that Okorocha had not provided the kind of leadership in Imo State to inspire any governor to join his party, saying: “The question should be, has Rochas Okorocha provided an inspiring leadership for the people of Imo State under APC? So, why would any governor in Nigeria heed Okorocha’s call? Okorocha is an example of what a leader should not be.”
Reacting to the governors’ denial while speaking with State House correspondents after a meeting with acting President Yemi Osinbajo in his office, Okorocha said he may have spoken too early because the governors were not yet ready to defect.
“I don’t think it is true, but if it is true it is probably because it is not time. It could be because I spoke when they were not yet ready,” Okorocha said.
On the question of his leadership acumen, the Imo governor said: “It is not about Rochas Okorocha, I am a governor.”
On the call that Ndiigbo should produce the President in 2019, he reiterated that the South East should aspire to the presidency after the Muhammadu Buhari’s era.
According to him, “What I do know is that Ndiigbo should talk about presidency after President Muhammadu Buhari.
“I think we should support this government. President Muhammadu Buhari has a tenure to work for four years or Eight years according to the zoning arrangement and everybody should follow the zoning although I am not an advocate of zoning.”
He expressed confidence that the APC was becoming stronger in the South East as stakeholders were rebuilding the party.
Okorocha stated: “The APC as a party is strong in the South East. We are trying to rebuild the party and redefine leadership so there will be no confusion.
“As to whether the APC in the south east is in disarray as the case has always been, we want to have a united party in the south east. We are hopeful from all discussions that about two governors will be joining us in the south to strengthen the party.
“Right now, we have agreed that Sen Ken Nnamani should take a lead of the party in the south east to enable us have a common understanding along with other leaders like Chief Jim Nwobodo.”
