Internal Betrayal? How APC NWC Foiled Attempt By Okorocha To Stop Imo LG Congresses

Plans by Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha to stop the state’s Local Government congresses held on Monday, May 14, was foiled by a letter from the All Progressives Congress, APC, National Working Committee, which instructed that the congress must go ahead.

An APC chieftain in Owerri West Local Government Area, Mr. Jasper Azuatalam told Vanguard that Okorocha had sent police officers to attempt to stop the congress, but on showing them proof from the NWC that the congresses have been approved to hold as scheduled, the police officers allowed the congress to continue.

This was as mixed reactions trailed the congresses.

While the chairman of the party in the state, Hilary Eke, conducted the LGA congress, said to have taken place in the 27 local government areas of the state, Governor Rochas Okorocha, had insisted that a new date be fixed for the Local Government congresses.

Some of the local government areas where the congresses took place, saw thousands of the party members came out to exercise their rights.

Vanguard however gathered that there were shootings by thugs in Umuaka in Njaba Local Government, there were shootings by thugs.

A source said though nobody was killed or injured in the shooting, the thugs had arrived the congress venue immediately the congress was concluded.

Some of the local government areas were the congress was said to have taken place included Isiala Mbano Local Government Area, which is Senator Ifeanyi Araraume’s council area and Mbaitoli Local Government Area, where the state Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere hails from.

Others were Ihitte Uboama, Ngor Okpala, Owerri west, Njaba, Owerri North, Ikeduru, Ohaji/Egbema, Oru East, Oru west, Oguta, Owerri North, Orlu, Isu, Ezinihitte, Ahiazu, Aboh, Ehime, Obowo, Ihitte Uboama, Nwangele and others.

“The congress has been concluded the only challenge that we had was that the governor has a counter order and sent the police to stop the congress, so when the came I showd them the prove that the order to conduct the congress was from the NWC, and we were all there until the congress was concluded. It was successful,” said Azuatalam.

Okorocha insists on new date for congress

Reacting, Governor Rochas Okorocha through his Chief Press Secretary said: “The governor of Imo State and Chairman, Progressives Governors’ forum, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has asked members of the Party in the state to relax, assuring them that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party will fix new dates for the ward and local Government congresses of the party in the state.

(Vanguard)