Okorocha boycotts Southeast APC stakeholder meeting

Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-East rose from their meeting in Abuja on Thursday endorsing the return of the three members of the National Working Committee from the zone ahead of the forth coming national convention of the party.

Imo state governor and the only APC governor in the south east, Owelle Rochas Okorocha was conspicuously absent from the meeting.

Those who were endorsed include the National Vice Chairman, South East, Emma Enukwu, National Organising Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso and the National Auditor, George Moghalu.

Those who attended the stakeholders meeting include APC National Organizing Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso, former governor of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime, former governor of Ebonyi State, Martins Elechi, former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani, Senators Hope Uzodinma, Ben Uwajimogu and Andy Uba.

Others were Minister of Labour and Productivity, Senator Chris Ngige, Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Senator Jim Nwobodo, Sen. Uche Ekwnuife, Sen. Nkechi Nwogu, APC National Auditor, Chief Gerge Moghalu, Director General of Voice of Nigeria, Osita Okechukwu, APC National Vice Chairman South East, Emma Enukwu, Minister of State for Education, Prof Anthony Anwuka, Speakers and former from State Houses of Assemblies, NEC members.

Addressing newsmen after the meeting which lasted several hours, the former governor of Abia state, Dr Orji Uzor-Kalu, said 93 percent of those who attended the meeting were in support of the return of the three officers, pointing out that the decision will be communicated to the National Convention Committee.

“We have a very successful fruitful meeting and have decided to endorse by affirmation and through democratic means by all the states, the return of the three members of the national officers. We gave equally secured the support of the National Convention Committee chairman who is also the governor of Jigawa state.

We have told him that they are our candidates and we did it through democratic arrangements. Few people might be very unsatisfied but in democracy, the majority about 93 per cent of the stakeholders in the  hall endorsed the arrangement.

“Certainly, not everybody will agree. I remember when I contested as governor, not everybody voted for me. But, I told you that over 93 per cent of the stakeholders here endorsed the arrangement to retain the national officers.”

Speaking on the crisis rocking the party in the south east, the former governor said “There must be misunderstanding in every setting but all I am assuring you is that they will all be resolved.”

Also speaking, Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnia Onu, promised that they will continue to work together with other geopolitical zones.

“In this meeting, all those who have held important positions in politics from the South East were in attendance, former speakers, House of Representatives members; former Senate President and former governors, members of the leadership of the party.

“Though the governor of Imo State cannot make it, the state Speaker House of Assembly is here. So, as you can see, you can see distinguished Senator Jim Nwobodo, and we have former Governor Martin Elechi, Senator Araraume here.

“We are all working together to continue to lift the country as one Nigeria and there will be a massive improvement for the region and the country at large. We commend those who have come here to make the zone greater,” he said.