Ahead of the 2019 gubernatorial elections in Imo, scores of members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Imo State chapter, yesterday, vowed to stop Governor Rochas Okorocha’s endorsement of his son-in-law, Mr. Uche Nwosu, to contest the 2019 gubernatorial election on the platform of APC.
According to the group, Governor Rochas Okorocha had endorsed his son-in-law through coercion, intimidation and blackmail.
They urged the governor to instill law and order in the party; and also called for free and fair primaries to be conducted for all party aspirants.
Scores of members of the Imo state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have vowed to stop Uche Nwosu, the son-in-law of the state governor Rochas Okorocha, from contesting the 2019 gubernatorial election on the party’s platform.
The group, called the Restoration Coalition of APC, disclosed their decision to newsmen at Ngor Okpala local government area, via their spokesperson, Theodore Ekechi, alongside party leaders, on Thursday, March 8.
Ekechi stated: “We are embarrassed because this theatre of the absurdity as we have confirmed, has the full backing and financial muscles of Imo state Government; as the person being endorsed, Chief Uche Nwosu, his son- in-law, is also his serving chief of staff.
As a matter of fact, this is an anomaly and points to a dangerous and destructive party politics of APC in Imo state.” The group insisted that free and fair primaries be conducted for all party members aspiring for political office in the state.
“We sincerely call on Governor Rochas Okorocha as the leader of the party in Imo state to instill law, order, and discipline as well as promote peace and tranquility as the party gets set for the all important primaries in the state,” the spokesman stated further.
The group further distanced the party from the reported attack on the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, Anthony Obinna, stressing that those who took part in the attack do not reflect the APC’s true character.
In Ekechi’s words: “Nothing can justify the rain of abuses reportedly credited to a group of people purportedly representing our great party, who took laws into their hands right before the high altar of God.”
Also yesterday, Governor Rochas Okorocha reacted to Restoration Coalition of APC, saying that time had come for his son-in-law, Mr. Uche Nwosu, to be the next governor of Imo State.
Okorocha in a release to newsmen in Owerri, through his Chief Press Secretary, CPS, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, bragged that no one can stop him from endorsing his son-in-law, dismissing the group as envious.
Okorocha defended his support for his son-in-law saying: “Endorsement is a public statement or action showing support of something or somebody. It has been part of our democracy.
“It is surprising that some people have been losing sleep over the several endorsements the young Uche Nwosu has been getting.”
Okorocha said no level of propaganda and lies being peddled against him or Nwosu will overturn the decision of the people of Imo state.
Meanwhile, the leadership of Imo State branch of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has accused the APC under Governor Rochas Okorocha of recklessness, corruption, callousness, nepotism, thuggery and irritating deception.”
The State PDP chairman, Charles Babatunde Ezekwem leveled the accusation yesterday during a press conference in Owerri.
