Fraudulent Primary: Ex-Imo Governor Ohakim Moves To Decamp To APC

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News, Nigeria 2015 Election Friday, January 16th, 2015

Ignatius Okpara, Owerri – Unhappy with the manner the peoples Democratic party, PDP primaries was allegedly conducted in a fraudulent manner last December, there are Strong indications that the immediate past Governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim may dump the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ohakim, is among the PDP gubernatorial aspirants in the state that are bitter with the party for condoning the alleged electoral fraud that marred the primaries and gave victory to Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha.

African Examiner Correspondent in Owerri, also gathered that the former governor’s decision to dump the PDP, and pinch tent with APC may not be unconnected with pressure from his political associates and loyalists, who are members of the ruling party in the state.

The ex- governor’s supporters are equally disappointed with the PDP leadership both at state and national levels.

However, as part of its strategy to consolidate the party’s structure in Imo State, as well as take over the entire Southeast region,

Our correspondent further learnt that already, Governor Rochas Okorocha, Ohakim, and some chieftains of APC have concluded arrangement to meet at he (Okorocha’s) country home, in Ogboko community, in Ideato South council Area of Imo state for discussions.

APC, it was learnt, is capitalising on the lingering crisis rocking the opposition PDP in Imo and other Southeast states.

In Imo State, the controversial governorship primary election, which was allegedly manipulated to favour House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, has torn the party apart.

Besides, associates of Ohakim, are equally unhappy with the failure of the PDP and President Goodluck Jonathan to give him their leader the governorship ticket, which they believed he deserves.

They regretted that since after controversially losing his re-election to Okorocha, and after delivering over one million votes to Jonathan in the 2011 presidential election, the party has not carried him along in its activities.

Another APC source, who confirmed the development, said: “I’m aware that some of our leaders at the national level are trying to woo Chief Ikedi Ohakim.

“They believe he was unjustly treated, especially as many indigenes believed he was the most qualified aspirant for the governorship ticket, considering the level of blackmail and campaign of calumny by the enemies of PDP to deny him re-election in 2011.”