A former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, says he has no intention of dumping the All Progressives Congress for another political party.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Media, Sam Onwuemeodo, the former Imo West Senator rubbished the speculation, assuring his teeming fans of his continuous support for the ruling party.
Okorocha also urged his fans to ignore recent reports which claimed that APC is desperate to hijack power, describing such reports as the handwork of his political enemies who are bent on causing cracks in the party.
He declared that he would never head to social media to make such a derogatory statement against a party where he is regarded as one of the founding fathers.
“Okorocha would never describe a party that has been in government since 2015, and still counting, as ‘desperate to hijack power.’ What power again? “Okorocha remains a bona fide, committed member of the APC. He never made the statement being circulated by those envious of his political journey,” the statement read.
Okorocha stressed that he had risked his re-election in 2015 as the only sitting governor from the South East to join the APC during its formation, at a time when the party had little support in the region.
Ondo deputy speaker resigns, majority leader steps down
Also, the Deputy Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Abayomi Akinruntan, has resigned his position after citing the need to align with the conventional arrangement of elective positions in the state.
The resignation letter of the former Deputy Speaker representing Ilaje Constituency 1, who is the son of the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan, was read on the floor of the Assembly on Tuesday by the Clerk, Benjamin Jaiyeola.
Akinruntan, who was absent during the plenary, was elected as the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly in June 2023, a position he occupied until his resignation.
The resignation letter read: “I hereby tender my resignation from the office of the Deputy Speaker effective from today, 2nd June, 2025. Recall the House was inaugurated in June 2023, and I was unanimously elected as Deputy Speaker by members as stipulated in our standing order.
“My resignation is borne out of the need to align with the conventional arrangement in power sharing of elective positions in the state. I want to appreciate all members and staff for their contributions and support.”
Following Akinruntan’s resignation, the lawmaker representing Okitipupa Constituency 2, Ololade Gbegude, was subsequently nominated by Oluwatoyin Japheth (Akoko North East Constituency) and seconded by Chris Ayebusiwa (Okitipupa Constituency 1) as the new Deputy Speaker.
Following the nomination of Gbegude, which was not contested at the plenary, he was subsequently sworn in as the Deputy Speaker with the pledge that he will serve in his new role with due diligence.
Similarly, the Majority Leader of the Assembly, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, also stepped down from his position, with the lawmaker representing Ose Constituency, Olatunji Oshati, announced as the new Majority Leader.
Also, Muritala Sulaiman, representing Akoko South East, was announced as the new Chief Whip, and Fabiyi Olatunji, Odigbo Constituency 1, was the Whip of the Assembly.
The Speaker, Olamide Oladiji, commended the former Deputy Speaker and the erstwhile Majority Leader for their maturity in how the transition was carried out smoothly and peacefully.
“The same thing goes for the former Majority Leader. He has been a stabilizer in the House and also a good and dependable ally,” he said.
It was gathered that the change of the positions of the principal officers became imperative in order to balance the unwritten elective political arrangements in the state.
Akinruntan and Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa hail from the same Ilaje Local Council Area of the state, while the erstwhile Majority Leader, Ogunmolasuyi, is from Owo Local Council, where the Deputy Governor, Olayide Adelami, hails from.
APC chieftain threatens to sponsor opposition against Jimoh Ibrahim, others
In the same vein, a chieftain of the APC in Ondo State and former Niger Delta agitator, Senior High Chief Bibopere Ajube, has threatened to sponsor opposition candidates under the Labour Party and Social Democratic Party against incumbent APC lawmakers if the party proceeds with plans to grant automatic tickets for the 2027 general elections.
Ajube issued the warning during a meeting with APC leaders at Agadagba-Obon in the Ese-Odo Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking after distributing N50, 000 each to 87 APC members across the 10 wards in Ese-Odo, Ajube declared that he would actively oppose the return bids of Donald Ojogo, member representing Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency, and Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, representing Ondo South Senatorial District.
He insisted that the imposition of candidates through automatic tickets would be unacceptable and would be met with resistance, even if it meant backing rival parties.
“As far as the House of Representatives and Senate positions are concerned, let anyone interested come out and contest. I will not support the current representatives if they are given automatic tickets by Abuja.
“I, Senior High Chief Ajube, will sponsor credible candidates, whether in the LP, SDP or even an unknown party, to challenge the incumbents. I am prepared to invest my resources to ensure that fresh voices emerge,” Ajube warned.
Ajube’s comments are seen as a direct challenge to the APC’s internal democracy in the state, particularly regarding ticket allocation for the 2027 elections.
Meanwhile, the APC members who benefited from the financial support expressed appreciation for Ajube’s continued generosity and his efforts to strengthen grassroots participation.
Party leaders at the meeting also commended his longstanding commitment to the welfare of the party and its members.