By Nigeria Horn NewspapersOn 10 Mar, 2014 At 08:47 AM | Categorized As Imo State| With 0 Comments As preparations for 2015 general elections gather momentum, Imo state governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha and his former commissioner for Housing and Urban Development and now chairman Imo State Housing Corporation, Prince(Dr) Charles Onuoha have engaged in a severe political battle over the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress(APC). Recall Okorocha had during his 2011 campaign promised to execute his rescue mission programmes within a single-term after which he continue with his presidential ambition in 2015. But just recently, the governor made a sudden u-turn for a second term as governor of Imo state. The governor reportedly alluded his decision to stand for re-election on alleged threat by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to take over the state, claiming that only him has the capacity and wherewithal to stop the party from carrying out its threat. However, Onuoha who also served Okorocha as commissioner for Special Duties before his present appointment, urged his boss to remain a gentleman and tow the path of honour by abiding to his single-term vow as well as handing over to Owerri zone whose turn he usurped in 2011 going by Imo Charter of Equity. The governorship hopeful who was fielding questions from newsmen in Owerri, the capital of Imo state posited: ” Beyound Governor Okorocha’s one-term promise, my ambition to take over power from him is driven by what transpired on January 15, 2015 when the governor convened stakeholders meeting in government house. In that meeting, the governor categorically told us that he was going to Abuja and urged those with governorship ambition to make declaration. Of course having contested the Labour Party ticket in 2011 and lost to a fraudulent primaries before collapsing my entire structure into APGA towards actualizing Governor Okorocha’s victory in 2011, it became an opportunity for me to openly make my intention known in our camp and party. The governor even expressed happiness and declared to ensure that my dream will never die. Besides, I am eminently qualified having garnered the pedigree and capacity to take Imo to the next level in terms of development and good governance. Also, I am from Mbaise axis of Owerri zone that has never had a shot at the Douglas House. So, from any angle you wish to judge my ambition, you will definitely agree that I am the right person for the state plum job and that’s basically the reason Governor Okorocha should support my ambition which obviously is divine”. Onuoha, who promised to sustain the legacies of Governor Okorocha including free education programme, however declared to expand the scope of the programme by introducing bursary to Imo students in other tertiary institutions not owned by the state in a bid to give them the sense of belonging they deserve as well as activate his international connections towards attracting direct foreign investments into the state.
Posted on: Tue, 11 Mar 2014 23:20:54 +0000