…Insists no APC in Imo without Nwafor as Chairman
By Ezeocha Nzeh
Former governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha has called on the National leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to obey court judgement that recognized Dan Nwafor as the party’s Chairman in Imo state
Okorocha who is the Senator representing Imo West Senatorial district in the Senate insisted that Nwafor remains the Imo APC Chairman following a court declaration that has not been vacated till date, adding that any Congress in Imo state without Dan Nwafor as Caretaker Chairman will be declared illegal
The Senator, who has also declared his 2023 Presidential ambition spoke at the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja on Tuesday when he led the Imo APC pioneer group to meet with members of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee
While maintaining that he was the founding member that gave the APC it’s name during the merger talks, Okorocha noted that he brought the APC to the South East, when the name of President Muhammadu Buhari was a taboo in the zone
According to him, Nwafor Exco has won all the cases agaisnt its dissolution to the Appeal Court and has not been overturned.
Okorocha, who was in the APC National Secretariat in company of Sen. Ifeanyi Apartments, Uche Nwosu, Sir Jude Ejiogu, Hon. Paschal Obi, Hon. Ugonna Ozuruigbo, Hon Kingsley Uju, Hon. Dan Nwafor, Hon Chidinma Uwajimogu, Barr. Steve Asimobi, Chief Stanley Nzekwe, amongst others, decried the treatment the pioneer APC members are receiving in Imo State, even as he called on the Caretaker Committee to make sure that the party was restored back to its dignity in the state.
He said, “We are here because of what is happening in Imo state. Primarily, things are not going right in the state as it affects the party. We are concerned about the upcoming congresses. Certain things need to be put in place before Congresses, as it affects registration and others.
“There has been an issue about the elected excos of the party in the state. The elected excos have not been allowed to function. We are here to bring the party’s attention to it. And we know that our party is a law-abiding party. A party of rule of law. We have come to ask the party to obey the court judgement that established the right excos in the state which has not been overturned by any court. That court judgement said Daniel Nwafor excos is the authentic and elected members of the exco. And the judge rules that not even the NEC of the APC can dissolve it. And the judgement has been there up to the court of appeal. And there has not been any other court judgement. High, Appeal courts judgement have shown that the authentic exco is led by him. And without him, the Congresses will be illegal. We have come to remind the party as a law-abiding party to please obey the court judgement. And ensure that the court judgement on the party stands.
“We have come a long way in building this party. I was one of the founding fathers of the party. I brought in APGA with CPC and ACN to form what was known today as APC. I was the one who gave the name APC. I was the only elected governor from the South East that made up this party. At a time when this party’s name was taboo in the south East. Everybody that became anything in the North came in the favor of President Muhammadu Buhari in the North. But we from the South East sees the name Buhari as taboo at that time. Most people never believe in the party.
“The party should be seen to remember those who founded the party. We join the party because of justice. And it must be seen to prevail all the time at all levels. We are here to remind the party and we pray that the party will give it adequate attention that it deserves by first and foremost, allow the leaders of the party to go and register. How can you have a congress coming without having the leaders like Senator Ararume, Chairman of the party and others not registered? We have five Hon members at the party and they are here. If the five members here are not registered, what are we talking about? We are here to advise the party to do the needful. And obey the court judgment so that the world will not see our party as a party that doesn’t obey court judgment or respect court judgment.”
Asked what would be the implications should the Caretaker Committee refuses to heel on their advice, the former governor queried, “But what will be the reason for a party like APC that is known for rule of law will respect court judgment? It will not happen because APC has also benefited from a court judgment. That the governor of Imo state is sitting there today was as a result of the supreme court pronouncement. If it was not pronounced, we would not have had a governor today. So APC that had benefited from court judgment should also be seen respecting court judgments. I don’t think they will say no to that. And what is done in Imo state today is illegal. For as long as they didn’t respect court judgment. I don’t think APC will want to engage in illegal acts because it won’t speak well of them as a party.”
Further, he said, “We are just hoping that they will do the needful and correct these issues and allow the elected officials supported by court judgment to go back and do their jobs so that everybody in Imo will come back and support the party.
“This appearance will reassure the people that something is being done to get them to go and register. Any registration that doesn’t take Daniel Nwanfor as the Chairman of the party is illegal. Although Mr. President had announced that all elected excos should transform into Caretaker Committee. And he qualifies to be there too. Any action being taking in Imo state that is not recognizing Daniel Nwanfor is at it’s best illegal and should not stand on anything. “
It would be recalled that the APC leadership has recently directed that the membership registration and revalidation exercise should continue in Imo, Rivers, Kwara and Ogun states.
