Claims by Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State that three South-East governors are in contact with him towards defecting to the All Progressives Congress, APC, have been debunked by his four colleagues in the zone.

They challenged him to name the governors he claimed were in talks with him. Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State in a riposte said Okorocha lacks the leadership qualities to lead any person into the APC even as he affirmed that the APC, as a party, has failed at the federal level to inspire other governors to cross over.The denials, notwithstanding, Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, said yesterday that the APC is set to welcome many people, including governors, who decide to join the party.

Reacting to Okorocha’s claim, Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State affirmed that he had already pledged his allegiance to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and is not planning to change his stance.Umahi, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Emma Anya, said he had always pledged to remain in the PDP.

According to him, Ebonyi remains a PDP state and the party to beat in the forthcoming local government elections in the state.

“The person who made the statement should give us the names of the governors in question. Ebonyi is PDP, and it is the party to beat in any election. Governor Umahi has pledged to remain in PDP, and that is it,” Anya said on behalf of the Ebonyi State governor.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu similarly denied Okorocha’s claim, saying through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Enyinnaya Appolos, that he is not one of those in talks with the Imo State governor.

Governor Willie Obiano, on his part, slammed Okorocha, saying he has not provided the kind of leadership in Imo State to inspire any governor to join his party.

“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,” Obiano’s spokesman, Mr. James Eze told Vanguard yesterday.

Meanwhile, Dr. Onu, weekend, reiterated the readiness of the APC to receive defectors, especially governors from the South-East zone of the country into the APC.
Onu stated this while fielding questions from journalists after receiving the South-East Traditional Rulers Council at his Uburu country-home in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi state.

“On the issue of people coming into the party, already we have seen a number of leaders from other political parties coming into the APC. The APC will welcome all those who finally decide. You can have an intention. But you may not be able to keep to that intention. For those who would finally decide to join the APC, they are welcome,” the minister stated.

Dr. Onu also said the APC in Ebonyi State was yet to decide on whether it would participate in the forthcoming local government elections scheduled for April 22

Vanguardngr