Rochas Okorocha, a former governor of Imo State and former senator for Imo West, has said clearly that he has no plans to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC), the political party he helped to form.
In a statement released on Tuesday through his Special Adviser on Media, Sam Onwuemeodo, Okorocha responded to recent social media rumors that claimed he was planning to quit the ruling party. He firmly denied the claims and said they were the work of people who are still threatened by his presence in politics.
According to him, the false reports were created by those who are jealous of his political journey and are trying to damage his relationship with the party. He noted that he has always been loyal to the APC and has never made any negative comment about it.
“Almost eight years after leaving office as Executive Governor of Imo State, and several years after serving as Senator representing Imo West, those with a phobia of Rochas Okorocha still cannot sleep with their two eyes closed.
“For days now, they have circulated a fake story on social media, falsely quoting me as saying: ‘APC is no longer a political party but a party desperate to hijack power at all costs. I am at the corner looking at them — Senator Rochas Okorocha.’
“Okorocha would never describe a party that has been in government since 2015, and still counting, as ‘desperate to hijack power.’ What power again?
“Okorocha remains a bonafide, committed member of the APC. He never made the statement being circulated by those envious of his political journey,” the statement reads.
Okorocha stated that he was the only sitting governor from the South-East who joined the APC during its formation, risking his re-election in 2015 at a time when the party had little support in the region.
“Okorocha took a political risk when major South-East leaders doubted the viability of the APC. He was ridiculed for his decision, yet he stayed committed.
“It’s important to recall that, due to his dedication, he was unanimously elected by fellow APC governors as the pioneer Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, which he helped to build into a strong force,” the statement added.
