Okorocha Insists on Recognition of Factional APC Chairman in Imo

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Following the decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to extend membership registration and revalidation exercise in Imo, Kwara, Ogun and Rivers States, a former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, has warned that any action taken in the state that does not recognise Mr. Daniel Nwanfor as the chairman of the party is illegal.

Okorocha disclosed this yesterday in Abuja when he led party stalwarts from the state, including Sir Jude Ejiogu, Hon. Pascual Obi, Hon. Ugonna Ozuruigbo, Hon. Kingsley Uju, Hon. Dan Nwafor, Dr. Chidinma Uwajimogu, Mr. Steve Asimobi, Chief Stanley Nzekwe, among others, to have a meeting with the leadership of the party.

He expressed concern on the upcoming congresses in the state, stressing that certain things need to be put in place before the congresses, as it affects membership registration and others.

The senator representing Imo West in the Senate, while fielding questions from journalists, lamented that the elected Excos of the party have not been allowed to function, hence the meeting with party leadership to draw their attention to it.

He said as far as he was concerned, no membership registration has taken place in Imo State.

Okorocha said: “There has been an issue about the elected executives 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 upturn by any court.

“That court judgement said Daniel Nwafor Excos are the authentic and elected members of the Exco. The judge ruled that not even the NEC of the APC can dissolve it. The judgement has been there up to the Court of Appeal. Also, there has not been any other court judgement.

“Without him, the congresses will be illegal. We have come to remind the APC as a law-abiding party to please obey the court judgement, and ensure that the court judgement on the party stands.”

Okorocha noted that he was the only elected governor from the South-east region that made up the APC during its formation, especially at a time when the party’s name was a taboo in the region.