Okorocha insists on new date for congress
…It’s testimony to Okorocha’s failure—Ohakim
…As mixed reactions trail congresses

By Chinonso Alozie

OWERRI—ATTEMPT by Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha to stop the state’s Local Government congresses held weekend, was foiled by a letter from the All Progressives Congress, APC, National Working Committee, which mandated that the congress must hold.

Chief Rochas Okorocha
An APC chieftain in Owerri West Local Government Area, Mr. Jasper Azuatalam told Vanguard that Okorocha had sent police officers to attempt to stop the congress, but on showing them proof from the NWC that the congresses have been approved to hold as scheduled, the police officers allowed the congress to continue.

This was as mixed reactions trailed the congresses.

While the chairman of the party in the state, Hilary Eke, conducted the LGA congress, said to have taken place in the 27 local government areas of the state, Governor Rochas Okorocha, had insisted that a new date be fixed for the Local Government congresses.

Some of the local government areas where the congresses took place, saw thousands of the party members came out to exercise their rights.

Vanguard however gathered that there were shootings by thugs in Umuaka in Njaba Local Government, there were shootings by thugs.

A source said though nobody was killed or injured in the shooting, the thugs had arrived the congress venue immediately the congress was concluded.

Some of the local government areas were the congress was said to have taken place included Isiala Mbano Local Government Area, which is Senator Ifeanyi Araraume’s council area and Mbaitoli Local Government Area, where the state Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere hails from.

Others were Ihitte Uboama, Ngor Okpala, Owerri west, Njaba, Owerri North, Ikeduru, Ohaji/Egbema, Oru East, Oru west, Oguta, Owerri North, Orlu, Isu, Ezinihitte, Ahiazu, Aboh, Ehime, Obowo, Ihitte Uboama, Nwangele and others.

“The congress has been concluded the only challenge that we had was that the governor has a counter order and sent the police to stop the congress, so when the came I showd them the prove that the order to conduct the congress was from the NWC, and we were all there until the congress was concluded. It was successful,” said Azuatalam.

Okorocha insists on new date for congress

Reacting, Governor Rochas Okorocha through his Chief Press Secretary said: “The governor of Imo State and Chairman, Progressives Governors’ forum, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has asked members of the Party in the state to relax, assuring them that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party will fix new dates for the ward and local Government congresses of the party in the state.

“With the unfolding scenarios and incontrovertible evidences, Nigerians have seen that the sensitive materials meant for the ward congresses of the party in Imo were stolen in actual fact and thereby making the exercise not to take place on Saturday, May 5, 2018.

“The National chairman of the party, Chief John Oyegun had also told Nigerians that the local government congresses of the party will be on hold pending the outcome of the report of the Appeal panel on Imo ward congresses.”

It’s testimony toOkorocha’s failure—Ohakim

The former Governor of Imo state, Ikedi Ohakim, described the outcome of the Congresses of the All Progressives Congess, APC, in the state as time for Okorocha to face punishment from the people of the state.

This was as the State Organizing Secretary of Labour Party, LP, Mr. Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, said that Amy party that lost internal democracy cannot lead Imo state.

While Mr. Elvis Agukwe, said that the outcome of Imo APC congress was an outcome to break barriers.

According to Ohakim, by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Collins Ughalla, said:”The outcome of the ward congress of the ruling APC in Imo State is clear to everyone.

“It was an embarrassing charade, a travesty, and it is an eloquent testimony to the failure the Okorocha administration has been and the kind of failure and pain Imo people have endured for seven years now.

“By the recorded statements of the principal actors in the charade that congress materials were missing and officials detained at govt house and the police station, and going by our own independent monitoring of the congress, there is no doubt that the ward congress did not hold.

“You saw how the Governor was humiliated and embarrassed to the point that he went knocking on the door of the National Organizing Secretary of the party in search of congress materials. How did we come this low?

“Boycotting the Local Government Congress today is the greatest sign of failure and defeat. That Okorocha who behaved as if he owned the state and party is now the person organizing protests and boycotting party congress.

“While I join those laughing at Governor Okorocha because he has been served in his own cup, Imo people should know that those who are now fighting the Governor were those who lied to all of us and put him there for selfish reasons and brought the state to this shameful state. We should get to reject them in 2019.”

In his view, Mr. Elvis Agukwe, said: “This is the struggle to restore Imo state. It is the struggle to restore the party. I can tell you so far so good. It is a struggle to break barriers. It is a struggle for emancipation in Imo state.

“This is to tell you that after your regime you go and another person will take over. What we are seeing in Imo state is that Okorocha is entangled in a power struggle.”

Speaking also, the members representing Aboh Mbaise state constituency in the Imo state House of Assembly, Mr Mike Iheanetu, said: “What is happening in Imo APC is a by product of bad politics. These are visionless strange political fellows. I said this because APC, was never contemplated on a good intention. They were only ready to wrestle power from the PDP.

“Since they got into power they have never met together for any assignment. This is the first time they are meeting together to behave as a political party. They are not used to it and as not a democratically set up party.

“If you bring down to Imo state, Rochas has been in this one man business show. He chooses when to play card as he wanted. You recall, in 2015, he gave his ticket to his son-in-law and said he was going to contest for presidency and when he failed he came back and collected the ticket.”

In his opinion, the Imo State Organizing Secretary of Labour Party, LP, Mr. Igboayaka. O. Igboayaka, “Any party that lacks internal democracy cannot lead Imo state. APC lacks Internal democracy. A party that it’s congress is characterized by writing of result sheets cannot assumed the leadership of the state