Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has called on Ndigbo to imbibe team spirit and unity of purpose in the quest to place Southeast at the mainstream of Nigerian politics, arguing that the Igbos were better off in the All Progressives Congress (APC) than anywhere else.
Disclosing this when he received Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, Imo State Chapter, who recently paid him a courtesy visit at Government House in Owerri, the State capital, Okorocha regretted the level of marginalization the Igbos suffer in the affairs of the nation, irrespective of the fact that they are part of the tripod of Nigeria.
Governor Okorocha asserted that all the key positions in the country have eluded the Ndigbo as well as the siting of developmental projects by the Federal government. He disclosed that his participation in the APC presidential primary election was to ensure that Igbos are given their pride of place in Nigeria, stressing that “for me, time has come for Igbos to reason together; Ndi Igbo should no longer be relegated to the background, we should take our rightful position in Nigeria polity and say no to second fidel. With my action it is crystal clear to APC and entire Nigeria that Igbos are alive to take their position. I will not stop the struggle till there is liberation for Ndi Igbo and until ordinary man is liberated”.
He then went on to posit that “what we need is a national party that will carry Ndigbo along, Igbos are better off in APC”.
The Governor enumerated some of the strides of his Rescue Mission Government in the State in the areas of massive infrastructural development, free education including the springing up of four new Universities in Imo State under three years and seven months, among others.
He maintained that the difference between APC and the Peoples Democratic Party’s years of maladministration in the State points to how the 2015 general election will be and assured of his preparedness backed with vision to take the State to a greater height.
Okorocha urged Ohaneze Ndi Igbo to reconcile their differences and speak with one voice, as an apex umbrella that covers the entire Igbo nation. “You must speak for Ndigbo, raise good leaders,” he noted calling on the group to partner with his Rescue Government.
Speaking on behalf of the Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, the President, Imo State Chapter of the Organization, Dr Ezechi Chukwu, appreciated the administrative acumen of Governor Okorocha which he noted has transformed the image of the State within and beyond the State as the envy of many.
He described Ohanaeze as a mass movement organization which stands to support every government that is people-oriented, adding that Okorocha’s inability to secure the APC presidential ticket was an answered prayer for him not to leave Imo State at this point.
The group pledged their unalloyed support to Okorocha even as he goes about his second term bid, arguing that his second term will be needed for him to consolidate on the landmark achievements of the present administration in the state.
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