Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha’s attempt to stop the local government congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday, failed, as the party went ahead with the exercise.

Executives of the party were returned unopposed in Ikeduru, Isiala Mbano and Oguta councils.

In Oguta, Casmir Ohamara was re-elected as the local government chairman of the party.
Also elected were Emmanuel Ifuma and Mrs. Stellamaris Ifejirika as secretary and women leader of the council, respectively.

Similarly, Chief Julius Asagwara and his entire executive members were returned unopposed at the party’s council headquarters in Isiala Mbano council.

The party members also elected three national delegates, namely, Chikwem Onuoha, Ukachukwu Nwokoro and Lady MC Ihekhire.

Speaking after his re-election, Chief Asagwara thanked members of the party for the confidence reposed in him and his team. He, also, thanked Senator Ifeanyi Ararume for his support to the party, both at the state and local government.

Chiji Collins, who represents Isiala Mbano state constituency, also thanked Araraume for his support to the party in the local government area and the state.

Senator Araraume thanked party members for their orderly conduct and assured them of his continuous support to the party. He described the local government congress as democracy in action and the deepening of internal democratic norms in the party.

Meanwhile, Imo governor and Chairman of Progressive Governors’ Forum, Rochas Okorocha, has assured the APC members in the state that National Working Committee (NWC) of the party will fix new dates for ward and local government congresses.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, Okorocha said: “with the unfolding scenario and incontrovertible evidence, Nigerians have seen that sensitive materials meant for ward congresses of the party in Imo were stolen, which stopped the exercise from taking place on Saturday, May 5, 2018.”

The governor alleged that the National Chairman of APC, Chief John Oyegun, had told Nigerians that the local government congresses of the party would be on hold, pending the outcome of the report of the Appeal Panel on Imo ward congresses.

“And since that public statement by the national chairman, he has not made any additional statement to that effect or any other statement on the contrary. So, all the rumours being posted on the social media on the conduct of local government congress in the state are neither here nor there,” the statement said.
Okorocha also insisted that ward and local government congresses of the party must hold and in open fields so that people can test their popularity.

“Action speaks louder than words. Those who think they are popular could not have stolen result sheets and would not have gone into hotels to write non-existent results.

“All the deceits will soon come to an end. Governor Okorocha brought APC in the South East and nurtured it to this level. He has decided to take the party to the next level. In Imo, he dwarfed all other political parties and won his elections in 2011 and 2015 and he is still Okorocha.

“All the noise will soon evaporate and men will be separated from noisemakers. APC members in the state are responsible people.” (Daily Sun)

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