Governor Okorocha’s absence at the stakeholders meeting of the APC held recently, has been attributed to other factors than what has initially been said to be the governor’s scheduled engagements in Ghana for which reason he was declared unavoidably indisposed. A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress APC, from Isiala Mbano, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that it could have been possible for the governor to attend the meeting if he really wanted to, “except that that meeting and in the manner it went is not such as Governor Okorocha will like to attend. The stakeholders meeting was the first of its kind since the internal war began among aspirants within the party jostling for its guber ticket. According to the APC chieftain, “Some folks have attributed the Governor and the State APC Leader’s absence at the meeting today to his engagement in Ghana…Though this may sound technically true, however, the truth is that Governor Rochas Okorocha we know cannot tolerate meeting where dissenting voices would be allowed to freely ventilate. Owelle we know starts a meeting, presides, chooses who and who should speak, sets the agenda, concludes and ends the meeting” he said. Continuing, the chieftain said, “Owelle would not attend any such meeting as today unless he decides to come and scold and tell off those he wants to. Those expecting him to attend any such meeting any time in the future may wait in vain” he said.
For the first time in three years, stakeholders and members of the All Progressive Congress, APC in Imo State went in jubilant mood after party chieftains announced millions of Naira as willful donation to aid the party in the State as the 2019 elections draws near.
The stakeholders meeting took place at Imo Concorde hotel and were organized by the State Working Committee (SEC) led by the State party chairman, Hilary Eke. It was also the the first time rival politicians in the party were sitting down together for the first time after years of internal political strife.
Senator Ifeanyi Araraume emerged highest donor of N20 million Naira followed by the Chief of Staff and Governor Rochas Okorocha son in law, Uche Nwosu who announced a donation of N10 million Naira to the party, Others who made donations include the State Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere who donated 5 million Naira.
Other donors include Sir Jude Ejiogu , Barr. Chima Anozie, Sir George Eche, Uju Kingsley donated 5 million Naira each, while Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Acho Ihim donated N4 million Naira on behalf of members of Imo State House of Assembly.
The meeting ended on a peaceful note as two issues featured prominently on the agenda- fund raising and the planned local government elections.
There was beehive of activities as supporters of various aspirants besieged the venue of the meeting just as many journalists were on ground to cover the event. Also in attendance were Local Government party Chairmen and secretaries of the party.
From the events in the State, it can be said that Imo is one of the few APC states where the State Governor cannot boast of having a total and firm grip of the party machinery.
