2023 election: A call for Rochas Okorocha

YOUTH OF All GEOPOLITICAL ZONE (YG6)
Supporters of Ndi-Igbo have thrown their weight behind Senator Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha to declare his interest in the 2023 Presidential election.

Speaking on behalf of the groups in Abuja on Thursday, Chairman of the Group comrade Elaigwu john pointed out that it is the turn of Southeast geopolitical region to produce the next president since other regions have had a someone from their region at the helm of affairs of the country.He said that their decision to support Senator Okorocha is based on his pan Nigerian records over the years, saying that his election will advance the already threatened unity of the country.

Nigeria comprises of three major ethnic groups that are representing the over 300 ethnic entities in the country and a country with diverse ethnic groups as Nigeria can only develop, live in peace, unity, harmony and progress if justice is served through the rotation of national leadership.

Guns can’t solve insecurity- Okorocha advises FG

Rochas Okorocha, Imo West Senator has said injustice and poverty are responsible for insecurity in Nigeria.

Okorocha said if the government failed to address poverty and injustice in Nigeria, no amount of ammunition can win a war against insecurity.

The former governor of Imo State spoke at the 2021 NBA -Spidel annual conference tagged: “The Role of Public Interest in Governance in Nigeria,” yesterday.

He also assured of Nigeria’s unity despite agitation for secession.

Okorocha said: “Let us not go out of here with the belief that Nigeria is finished. Nigeria is a great country and it can’t finish. New Nigeria will soon come.

“There is injustice and poverty in Nigeria. There is a cold relationship between poverty and insecurity. As long as these two evils of mankind have not been addressed, you might import all the equipment in this world to fight insurgency and banditry, it won’t yield any result.

“Our problem is injustice and poverty. I heard Governors Bala Muhammad and Rotimi Akeredolu speaking on ranching. I see it as injustice when a little boy travels about 1000 and 2000 kilometers as a herder on foot. For me, the injustice done to the boy is more than all this discussion put together.”

Lately, Nigeria has been confronted with heightened insecurity, with banditry, kidnapping and terrorism on the rise.

Uzodinma, Okorocha, Wike must pay for their sins, will never be forgiven – IPOB

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has listed some personalities from the Southeast and Southsouth it will never forgive.

IPOB vowed never to forgive Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, Imo West Senator, Rochas Okorocha and the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.

The National Publicity Secretary of IPOB, Emma Powerful said those named will soon pay for their “sins.”

Powerful, in a statement, explained that the politicians were trying to sabotage the efforts of IPOB and the Eastern Security Network, ESN.

Hw said, “Other politicians that may have sabotaged IPOB and ESN may be forgiven, but OkoroAwusa, Hope Uzodinma, and the wannabe Hitler of Rivers Nyesom Wike, will never be forgiven. They must pay for their sins sooner or later!”

IPOB also accused Uzodinma and Okorocha of oppressing people of the Southeast.

“They connived with Fulani oppressors to kill our people.

“They imprisoned and tortured our youths, mothers, fathers and other agitators to please their slave masters,” IPOB added.

I will win the Presidential race in 2023- Okorocha

A former governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha (APC, Imo West), has expressed optimism that he would contest and win the 2023 presidential election.

Okorocha stated this on Thursday in Abuja, when a group of youth under the umbrella of ‘Forward with Anayo Rochas Okorocha (FOWARO 2023)’ paid him a courtesy visit.

The former governor, who is one of the founding fathers of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), said the nation was going through the most difficult moment sequel to the prevailing insecurity in the land.

“I have contested for the office of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria three times.

“The first time l ran when l was very young; 20 years ago, and l ran on the platform of ANPP.

“Later l ran on the platform of the PDP where l came second and the last one APC in 2014.

“So, l have been in the business of running for this office.

“This time, it will be the fourth attempt.

“I am hoping to be the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Every time l started, l got stopped at the primary level, but this time around when l do run, l must win the race,” he said.

Okorocha’s battle with Imo

Okorocha is currently having a legal battle with the Imo State Government.

The police in Imo State, on February 21, 2021, arrested him after a fracas over the sealing of a hotel belonging to his wife by the state government.

Okorocha, a serving senator, is accused of forcefully unsealing his wife’s hotel, Royal Spring Palm Hotel, Owerri, which was sealed by the Imo State Government.

The state government said the hotel was built, without permission, on government land.

However, he was later released by the Police after the South-East Governors’ Forum waded into the feud between him and his successor, Hope Uzodinma.

Since he left office as governor in 2019, Okorocha has been having a political battle with his successor, Mr Uzodinma.

Both men are members of Nigeria’s ruling party, APC.

Okorocha: Imo ex-lawmakers support Uzodinma

Governor Hope Uzodinma Imo State has received the support of Former Members of Imo House of Assembly (FOMIHA) in his probe of the Rochas Okorocha administration and others.

The Chairman, Ike Ibe, told reporters on Thursday 11th March in Owerri that all property illegally acquired should be retrieved.

The former member representing Obowo constituency, said the assets recovery efforts deserved commendation.

Ibe called for the prosecution of culprits, adding that it would serve as a deterrent to people who might want to tamper oublic resources.

“In the fight against corruption, no stone should be left unturned and no cow should be sacred,” NAN quoted him as saying.

Ibe advised the state government to pay attention to the development of human capital as it is doing with infrastructure.

He advocated policies and an enabling environment to attract local and foreign investors for economic development.

Ibe added that the Uzodinma administration must ensure that all workers get their wages when due.

2023 the right time for South-east to produce a President

Rochas Okorocha, Imo West Senator, has said 2023 is the right time for the Southeast to produce Nigeria’s President.

Okorocha said the mood of the country was ripe for a president of Igbo extraction.

The former Imo State governor made the remark yesterday in Abuja while playing host to a pressure group, Ndi Igbo Good Governance Initiative (NGGI).

He pointed out that denying Igbos presidency in 2023 would amount to injustice.

“It was morally just for the country to support the Igbos to produce the next president.

“The mood of the nation has changed and there is so much division, we are looking for somebody the North and the Yorubas can trust, and somebody who can care for the less privileged and the poor,” he said.null

The lawmaker also urged political leaders of the zone to synergize with other regions to actualize Igbo presidency.

He stressed that Igbos were the most misunderstood section of the country, noting that people of the Southeast believe in the unity and oneness of Nigeria.

2023: Okorocha visits Wike twice in one month

Former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, may be planning a fresh move as he has visited Rivers State two times in one month.

In the first visit, the former governor who is now a Senator was in Rivers State to commission a project.

But this time, his visit to the South-South State is to commiserate with Governor Wike over the demise of his uncle.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, was joined by several political leaders over the weekend for the funeral of his late uncle, Chief Charles Aleruchi Ihunwo Wike.

The late Chief Ihunwo Wike who passed on at the age of 87, was until his demise, the Eze Epara Kwurume Chukwuokahia Obasinwo IV of Rumuepirikom Clan in Apara kingdom of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Present at the funeral ceremony were former Governors of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili and Sir Celestine Omehia; former Imo State Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha; National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus.

Other dignitaries in attendance included former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sir Austin Opara; Senator Sam Anyanwu; South-South zonal chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih; Chairman of the PDP in Rivers State, Ambassador Desmond Akawor; Chairman of Rivers Elders Council, High Chief Ferdinand Alabraba; Senator Barry Mpigi and several others.

But a source told Trio news that Okorocha’s latest closeness to Wike and other PDP chieftains was an attempt to secure his political future as his place in the APC cannot be guaranteed.

The source said, “Okorocha is trying to take Imo back and he is using all arsenals within his reach to activate that,” he said.

Okorocha’s Son-In-Law Shot During Brawl Over Seized Property To Be Flown Abroad

Uzor Anwuka, the son-in-law to former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, who was shot when the former governor’s loyalists clashed with government officials, will be flown abroad for treatment.

Anwuka, an American-trained medical doctor, who was shot on the left leg during the clash, has undergone three surgeries.

Okorocha, who is also the Senator representing Imo West, has been having a running battle with Governor Hope Uzodinma over one of his wife’s properties, the Royal Spring Palm Hotel, which was seized by the government.

Speaking when the former governor visited him at a hospital at Apo, Abuja, on Sunday, Uzor said he had undergone surgeries without any improvement.

He explained that he was surprised that he could be attacked because he was never involved in the brawl.

According to him, “On the day of the incident, my father-in-law called me that he was in Owerri to see his seized property and I drove down their to see him.

“On getting there, I saw a crowd of thugs led by one of the governor’s cousins. They had guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons, they started harassing everyone including my father-in-law (Okorocha).

“Later, they were asked to round us up and they started shooting, I made an attempt to climb the fence but I was hit by bullet and I fell into the bush and I was there for several hours before I was rescued and brought to the hospital.

“I have been in this hospital for six days and my leg has been operated three times but it is not getting better. So, I will be going out to get a better treatment.”

Describing the attack as sad, Okorocha said it was an assassination attempt on his life, saying his major concern is to save the life of his son-in-law.

The lawmaker said he wondered why those who carried out the attacks have not been arrested.

“No arrest has been made it was the people with me who were macheted that were still arrested. For now, to save the life of my son-in-law is more important to me now than any arrest.

“The authorities should know what to do. It was a beating galore against my people but I ordered that nobody should shoot,” he added.

Okorocha sins in Imo- Uzodinma

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, yesterday 23rd February said he had no personal quarrel with his predecessor, Senator Rochas Okorocha.

The clash between the supporters of the governor and his predecessor led to the death of two persons on Sunday over the sealing of Royal Spring Palm Estate Hotel, Akachi, by the state government.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state is enmeshed in a crisis following the political differences and feud between Okorocha and Uzodinma.

Speaking after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, the governor faulted the claims that he was plotting Okorocha’s assassination.

“I don’t know about any attempt to assassinate Okorocha, rather what I know, is I have no personal issues with Okorocha.

“You will recall that before I became governor, the Ihedioha administration set up a judicial panel of inquiry to look into acquisitions and allegations of lands, converting government lands to personal property, and then removing private lands from individuals and giving them other individuals.

“The judicial panel of inquiry chaired by a judge met and they concluded their job. And a white paper has since been raised.

“You know institutions and agencies that are involved with implementation are doing their job. And the only thing I know is that a few days ago, the former governor went with his thugs to one of the properties sealed by government. You people saw it, it was live.

“He went there with thugs, wounded the policemen there, wounded the NSCDC officer, who is currently still in the hospital and then broke in and entered.

“Of course, you must have heard him say that he is richer than government and that he is above the law. I am not directly involved. It is a position taken by government.

“There is a difference between governor and government. The government of Imo State sealed the property. And I think that if there is anything anybody considers not right, the person should go to court to redress the issue and not take the law into one’s hand, or take to self-help.

“I remember that under Ihedioha, there was a recovery committee, chaired by one Jasper Ndubaku. When they tried to visit Okorocha’s house, they were beaten to a stupor. And the same man who did that is now doing the same thing and almost killed the man who did it during his time,” Uzodinma said.

Meanwhile, Okorocha has debunked the claims that all the 14 persons arrested in connection with the invasion of Royal Palm Spring Hotel were his aides.

Okorocha, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser (Media), Sam Onwuemeodo, said only two of the defendants were his aides.

He said 11 others were staff of the hotel, while one was a social media influencer, who was there to do his job.

Apologize to Uzodinma or else- Political group tells Okorocha

OPOCA, comprising the 12 Local Government Areas in Imo West senatorial district, Tuesday 23rd February gave Senator Rochas Okorocha representing the zone, 48 hours to apologise to the Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma and Imo people, for behaving in a lawless manner by invading into the government sealed Royal Spring Palm Estate linked to his wife, Nkechi, built when they were in power.

The National President of OPOCA, Rex Anunobi, alongside his executives gave this ultimatum in Owerri, while speaking on the alleged invasion led by Okorocha, into Royal Spring Palm Estate.

He said that should Okorocha, representing the zone failed to publicly apologise that they would commence and intensify a recall process on him.

Anunobi added that their demands were in line with the duty of OPOCA, to instill discipline in Okorocha as they had done to other politicians in the zone.

He said: “OPOCA, after an extraordinary emergency meeting, is therefore using this medium to give the former governor and Senator representing Imo West in the National Assembly, Rochas Okorocha, 48 hours from today to apologise to governor Hope Uzodimma and Imo people for the shame his recent uncivilized action has brought to the state.

“If after 48 hours Okorocha fails to apologise to our Governor, and Imo people, OPOCA will be left with no other option but to initiate a recall process that will aim at exiting Rochas Okorocha, from the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

He continued: “We also in the same vain call our dear governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, not to be distracted by the antics of the former governor by fully activating all instruments of the law and state powers to recover all that were stolen by Okorocaha, his family members and cronies for Ndi Imo.