EXCLUSIVE – Pressure On Governor Okorocha To Dump APC

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines Thursday, October 16th, 2014

From Ignatius Okpara, Enugu

As the 2015 general polls draw closer, there are strong indications that Imo state Governor, Rochas Okorocha may soon dump the opposition All progressive Congress (APC) for the ruling People’s Democratic party, PDP.

Imo state governor Rochas Okorocha

The politician, who is currently the chairman of the APC governor’s Forum, AFRICAN EXAMINER’s correspondent gathered, has been holding series of secret meetings with some chieftains of the PDP outside Imo state.

AFRICAN EXAMINER’s investigations revealed that those facilitating the move include, Governors Godswill Akpobio of Akwa Ibom state, former governor of Balyesa state, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, the first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, and Prominent members of PDP board of trustees (BOT).

It would be recalled that Governor Okorocha, who won the 2011 governorship election under the platform of All progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), later dumped the party and joined in the formation of the APC.

A close source to the APC in Imo state who craved anonymity, told AFRICAN EXAMINER that they won’t be surprised if the rumour of Okorocha, dumping the party for PDP turns out to be true, “because the man has penchant for decamping from one political party to another.”

“We all know Governor Okorocha, as a political prostitute since the beginning of his political journey. so, there is no action he will take in the political arena that will come to us as a surprise,” the source explained.

Also, sources said APC national leadership and chieftains too won’t be amazed if Governor Okorocha defects from the party as they believe the governor can dump the APC in a jiffy if PDP offers him a large chunk of the “national cake.”

Our Correspondent gathered that the recent visit of Alamieyeseigha, to Okorocha, at the Imo governor’s lodge in Owerri, during which they had several hours of closed door meetings, may not be unconnected with the defection talks.

Only last week Saturday, Governor Akpabio chaired the wedding reception ceremony of Okorocha’s daughter in Owerri, the Imo state capital, after which both Governors had another round of closed-door meeting.

Meanwhile, tongues have been wagging among PDP members, in the state, since Alamieyeseigha’s vist to Okorocha, as some of the party chieftains, have expressed reservations over the visit, saying they were not comfortable with the development, coming at this very crucial political era.

However, if Okorocha succeeds in returning back to the PDP, he would have jettisoned his much speculated intention to vie for the 2015 Presidency under the platform of the opposition APC.

Although, the party has not officially zoned its Presidential ticket to any specific part of Nigeria, but pointers at different quarters suggest the North will produce the presidential candidate, and that chieftains of the party are rooting for the former head of state, Gen Mohammadu Buhari.

Those working on the strategy for Okorocha’s return intend to cash-in on President Jonathan’s perceived desperation to win 100 per cent of votes in the South East in order to counter whatever gains APC may record in the northern part of the country.