Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha took a swipe at the twelve
years rule of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Imo State, describing
it as a big shame.
Okorocha who left the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA to join the All
Progressive Congress, APC, challenged PDP in Imo State to account to the
people on the party’s achievements within the 12 years of its leadership
in the state as compared to the achievements of the Rescue Mission
government in just two and half years.
“PDP should bury their heads in shame considering their 12 years of wasted
leadership in Imo State,” Governor Okorocha said.
The governor noted that his administration in less than two and half years
had made tremendous achievements, which surpassed the efforts of past PDP
administrations in all areas of socio-infrastructural development.
He regretted that for 12 years, PDP was using shanties as Government
House, which the Rescue Mission Government has now transformed to one of
the best Government Houses in the country.
Governor Okorocha pointed out that PDP never had a guest house in Imo
State and as a result the Imo Concorde Hotel was run down with bills
incurred by guest of the government. He however boosted that within two
and half years of his administration, the Odenigbo Guest House was
completed to accommodate guests.
He enumerated other laudable projects achieved by the Rescue government to
include the free and comprehensive education up to tertiary level, the
heroes apartment, the heroes square, the Ikemba Ojukwu Centre, the 305
ultra modern primary school, the Owerri City School, the Imo College of
Advanced Studies, the Imo International conference Centre, the Freedom
Square, the city road, and massive rural roads transformation among
others.
The Imo state governor debunked allegation of his wavering position in the
All Progressive congress (APC), saying that he has remained not only a
member of the party but a founding member of APC.
Governor Okorocha stated this during a media chat with journalists in the
state at Government House Owerri.
The Governor who was elected into office under the platform of the All
Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) explained that he shifted camp to APC
following the need to move to a party with a national outlook for the
benefit of Ndi-Igbo as APGA was only a regional party just like other
regional parties that merged to form APC.
He however noted that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) still
remains a cultural identify for Ndi-Igbo which at present has its
political leaning on either PDP as in the case with Anambra State or on
APC as with Imo state.
He posted that the emergence of APC is a healthy development in the
Nigerian democracy as it provides strong opposition to the ruling Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP). The Governor, who encouraged the people of South
East to join APC, said that the structure of PDP does not provide
opportunities for the South East. “It is only wise to say that South East
is better of with APC”, he stressed.
Commenting on the rumour making rounds that the former Governor of Imo
state, Chief Achike Udenwa has abandoned the All Progressives Congress
(APC) for PDP, Governor Okorocha expressed doubts that Chief Udenwa would
not for any reason return to PDP where he has little or no opportunities.
Governor Okorocha also commented on the just concluded Anambra State
Governorship election describing it as unfortunate for a nation that
profess to have democracy considering the level of irregularities
witnessed in the conduct of the election.
Answering questions on his political ambition especially as it concerns
the option of vying for presidency or second term bid as governor come
2015, Governor Okorocha said there is nothing wrong for any qualified
Nigerian to vie for any political office. He further said that he is not a
new person in the presidential race in the country but noted that he is
not yet clear on the issue. He has this to say: “I have the love of my
people who want me here the next four years; so I will make it very clear
when the time comes as I am still praying on this.”
On the proposed National Conference, Governor Okorocha said that Nigeria
as a nation has over dramatized the issue of national conferences without
specific reasons for holding one. He maintained that National Conference
should not be a wild goose chase but such that will discuss specific
issues like insecurity, health, youth empowerment, and education among
others.