Big Names In Imo Politics Have Never Supported Me – Okorocha
Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state has said that none of the big names in the state politics has supported his governorship aspiration in 2011 and in 2015 respectively.
He argued that he won the elections without the support of any of the political bigwigs or big names in Imo politics stressing that he contested and won the governorship election of 2011 and that 2015 not on the basis of zoning or support of godfathers but on the premise of what Imo people believed he could do with the position.
On Uche Nwosu, who incidentally is his Chief of Staff and son in-law, the governor said, his endorsement is a step in the right direction, and assured that he will never disappoint Imo people and that he will do well as governor.
Governor Okorocha spoke on Saturday when the leaders of Ideato South Local Government Council came to Government House Owerri in their large number to assure him that they would follow any political direction he takes in 2019.
They however, stated that the governor is the pivot on which their own political interest rotates.
According to the Governor, when he came in 2011 and decided to run for the gubernatorial on the platform of APGA there was nothing on ground and that the State Chairman of the party was more than 75 years of age, an indication that people were not keen in the party.
He said, “In 2011 Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Chief Arthur Nzeribe, Dr. Mrs. Kema Chikwe, Chief Hope Uzodinma, Chief Achike Udenwa, Emeka Ihedioha, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume were either in PDP or ACN. None of them was in APGA, but I confronted them and God gave us victory over them and we defeated an incumbent.
“The Political battle in 2011 and 2015 was all mine and my God, and the masses of Imo State. Yet, God gave us victory over them. When I visited late Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu, I expected that he would come and raise my hand as the candidate of the party, but he could not do so because he fell sick before the time. Only God raised my hand and we won.
“When I also told my people, about my intention to vie for the seat of governor, most of them were saying that it was not the turn of Orlu Zone. But I told them that my case was different.
“And since I became Governor, I have never segregated against Owerri, Orlu or Okigwe zones. In fact, I have worked in Owerri much more than any of my predecessors had done and no Owerri indigene has done what I have done in Owerri.
“In 2019 it will be easier. We are more now. Your unity as it is now shows that we are ready for the 2019 elections.
“My advice is that you must strive to remain united because any crack can allow enemies or detractors into the fold. I assure you that Victory will surely be ours as long as we are standing on God’s side.”
Some of the leaders of the Local Government including Mr. Ikechukwu Amuka of the State House of Assembly and Dr. Pascal Obi, Principal Secretary to the governor who spoke, told the governor that they were on the same page with him as far as the 2019 election was concerned.
