The Imo state Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has challenged the Peoples democratic Party [PDP] in Imo State to account to the people on the party’s achievements within the 12 years of its leadership in the state as compared to the achievements of the Rescue Mission government in just two and half years.
Governor Okorocha maintained that “PDP should bury their heads in shame” considering their 12 years of wasted leadership in Imo State.
The governor noted that his administration in less than two and half years had made tremendous achievements which surpassed the efforts of past PDP administrations in all areas of socio-infrastructural development.
He regretted that for 12 years, PDP was using shanties as Government House which the Rescue Mission Government has now transformed to one of the best Government Houses in the country.
Governor Okorocha pointed out that PDP never had a guest house in Imo State and as a result the Imo Concorde Hotel was run down with bills incurred by guest of the government. He however boosted that within two and half years of his administration, the Odenigbo Guest House was completed to accommodate guests.
He enumerated other laudable projects achieved by the Rescue government to include the free and comprehensive education up to tertiary level, the heroes apartment, the heroes square, the Ikemba Ojukwu Centre, the 305 ultra modern primary school, the Owerri City School, the Imo College of Advanced Studies, the Imo International conference Centre, the Freedom Square, the city road, and massive rural roads transformation among others.
The Imo state governor debunked allegation of his wavering position in the All Progressive congress (APC), saying that he has remained not only a member of the party but a founding member of APC.
Governor Okorocha stated this during a media chat with journalists in the state at Government House Owerri.
The Governor who was elected into office under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) explained that he shifted camp to APC following the need to move to a party with a national outlook for the benefit of Ndi-Igbo as APGA was only a regional party just like other regional parties that merged to form APC.
He however noted that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) still remains a cultural identify for Ndi-Igbo which at present has its political leaning on either PDP as in the case with Anambra State or on APC as with Imo state.
He posted that the emergence of APC is a healthy development in the Nigerian democracy as it provides strong opposition to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The Governor, who encouraged the people of South East to join APC, said that the structure of PDP does not provide opportunities for the South East. “It is only wise to say that South East is better of with APC”, he stressed.
Commenting on the rumour making rounds that the former Governor of Imo state, Chief Achike Udenwa has abandoned the All Progressives Congress (APC) for PDP, Governor Okorocha expressed doubts that Chief Udenwa would not for any reason return to PDP where he has little or no opportunities.
Governor Okorocha also commented on the just concluded Anambra State Governorship election describing it as unfortunate for a nation that profess to have democracy considering the level of irregularities witnessed in the conduct of the election.
Answering questions on his political ambition especially as it concerns the option of vying for presidency or second term bid as governor come 2015, Governor Okorocha said there is nothing wrong for any qualified Nigerian to vie for any political office. He further said that he is not a new person in the presidential race in the country but noted that he is not yet clear on the issue. He has this to say: “I have the love of my people who want me here the next four years; so I will make it very clear when the time comes as I am still praying on this.”
On the proposed National Conference, Governor Okorocha said that Nigeria as a nation has over dramatized the issue of national conferences without specific reasons for holding one. He maintained that National Conference should not be a wild goose chase but such that will discuss specific issues like insecurity, health, youth empowerment, and education among others.
