The political disagreement between Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma’s camp and former governor Rochas Okorocha has intensified following a Federal High Court judgment on the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary for Imo West.
Enyinnaya Onuegbu, Chief of Staff to Governor Uzodimma, has blamed Okorocha for the crisis within the Imo APC, arguing that the former governor was absent from key party activities leading up to the primary election.
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had, on Thursday, rejected Uzodimma’s candidacy for the Imo West senatorial contest and declared Okorocha the winner of the APC primary.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time, Onuegbu questioned Okorocha’s claim to be a stakeholder in the party, alleging that he did not participate in important meetings and reconciliation efforts before the primary.
“Okorocha was absent from key events leading to Imo APC primary. He was nowhere to be found. He didn’t attend any reconciliation meeting, he didn’t show up for stakeholders’ meeting.”
The governor’s Chief of Staff accused the former governor of attempting to benefit from a process in which he allegedly did not participate.
“He wants to reap where he did not sow. You cannot stay away and then come back to dictate who becomes candidate.
“Okorocha heavily distorted the facts. At what point before the primary elections did he address Imo APC members as an aspirant?
“The law requires oral evidence from witnesses, not just conflicting documents. He was not physically present at most of the events leading up to the primaries.”
Onuegbu further alleged that Governor Uzodimma had attempted to reach out to Okorocha and other aggrieved party leaders but that they refused to answer his calls.
Despite the dispute and the court judgment, Onuegbu maintained that the APC in Imo State remained united and prepared for the forthcoming elections.
The comments add another dimension to the dispute over the Imo West senatorial ticket, with the legal outcome and the party’s position on its candidate remaining central to the unfolding political contest.
