By Jennifer John
Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has revealed the outcome of his parley with former Governor Rochas Okorocha which may have necessitated the seemingly cold war between the pair.
Addressing Imo APC stakeholders at the Sam Mbakwe Executive Chambers, Government House, Owerri, Uzodimma disclosed that Okorocha, during a private meeting both had, demanded disbandment of all commissions of enquiry investigating his administration and the recognition of the APC executive led by Dan Nwafor.
The governor disclosed that Okorocha told him that reason for the request was because he needs the state executive of his party for his presidential contest.
“I told him to wait until the commissions finish their enquiries. I requested he should refund some of the monies he can return for us to run government. I told him, ‘you have told me what you want to contest, have you asked me what I want to contest. If what you want to contest is what I want to contest, I have to keep this party structure”.
Speaking on the Okigwe senatorial election, which was the main agenda for the meeting, Governor Uzodimma favoured consensus candidate for the party which he said will save cost for the aspirants, as according to him, there was nothing much at stake as the eventual winner was going to spend only two years in the red chambers.
Fielding questions from newsmen, a frontline aspirant for the seat, Chikwem Onuoha tactically disagreed with the governor on the issue of consensus, positing that the agreement was to support whoever emerges candidate of the party in a true democratic process.
“I am a frontliner in the race. I know the geography of Okigwe. I have identified the problems of the zone and I have solutions for them. I am prepared and ready to represent my people. We know those who are serious and those who want to be noticed”.
