…Asks APC to obey court orders
BY BENEDICT NWACHUKWU, ABUJA
Former Governor of Imo State and Senator representing Imo West, Rochas Okorocha, has frowned at what he described as the impunity going on in the All Progressives Congress, in the state.
He also told the national leadership of the APC that recognition of Dan Nwafor leadership of the party would authenticate party activities in the state; the membership registration and revalidation exercise as well as the forthcoming party congresses, inclusive.
Okorocha expressed the opinion when he addressed the media after a meeting with the party’s Caretaker Committee at the national secretariat in Abuja, on Wednesday.
On his mission at the secretariat, he said, “Naturally I should be here because I am a member of APC, but, we are here because of what is happening in Imo state. Primarily, things are not going right in the state as it affects the party. We are concerned about the upcoming congresses. Certain things need to be put in place before the congress as it affects registration and others.
“There has been an issue about the elected executives of the party in the state. The elected excos have not been allowed to function. We are here to bring the party’s attention to it. We know that our party is a law-abiding party. A party of rule of law.”
The former governor disclosed that they were at the Buhari House headquarters of the party to ask the party to obey the court judgment.
He said, “We have come to ask the party to obey the court judgement that established the right excos in the state which has not been upturned by any court. That court judgement said that the Daniel Nwafor excos are the authentic and elected members of the exco. And the judge ruled that not even the NEC of the APC can dissolve.
“The judgement has been there up to the Court of Appeal. And there has not been any other court judgement. Both High Court, and Appeal Court judgements have shown that the authentic exco is led by him. And without him, the Congresses will be illegal. We have come to remind the party as a law-abiding party to please obey the court judgement. And ensure that the court judgement on the party stands.”
On the next line of action, should the national leadership refuse to respect their appeals, he exclaimed “But what will be the reason for a party like APC that is known for rule of law not to respect court judgment? It will not happen because APC has also benefited from a court judgment.
“That the governor of Imo State is sitting there today was as a result of the Supreme Court pronouncement. If it were not, we would not have had a governor today. So, APC that had benefited from court judgment should also be seen respecting court judgments.
“I don’t think they will say no to that. And what is (being) done in Imo State today is illegal. For as long as they didn’t respect court judgment. I don’t think APC will want to engage in illegal acts because it won’t speak well of them as a party.
“We are just hoping that they will do the needful and correct these issues. And allow the elected officials supported by court judgment to go back and do their jobs so that everybody in Imo will come back and support the party. I am here also for that.
“This appearance will reassure the people that something is being done to get them to go and register. Any registration that doesn’t take Daniel Nwanfor as the Chairman of the party is illegal. Although Mr. President had announced that all elected excos should transform into Caretaker Committee, he qualifies to be there too. Any action being taking in Imo State that is not recognising Daniel Nwanfor is at its best, illegal and should not stand on anything.”
The Senator further said, “We have come a long way in building this party. I was one of the founding fathers of the party. I brought in the APGA faction with CPC and ACN to form what is known today as APC. I was the one who gave the name APC.
“I was the only elected governor from the South East that made up this party at a time when the name was a taboo in the southeast.
“Everybody that became anything in the North came in the favour of President Buhari. But we from the Southeast see the name Buhari as taboo at that time. Most people never believed in the party.
“The party should be seen to remember those who founded the party. We joined the party because of justice. And it must be seen to prevail all the time at all levels. We are here to remind the party and we pray that the party will give it the adequate attention that it deserves by first and foremost, allowing the leaders of the party to go and register.
“How can you have a coming congress without having the leaders like Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, Chairman of the party are not registered yet? We have five Honourable members at the party and they are here. If the five members here are not registered, what are we talking about?”
The former governor stormed the party’s Buhari House secretariat with some other party leaders in the state including, Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, member of the House of Representatives, Hon Ugonna Ozurigbo, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, former aspirant, Chairman of APC, Imo State, Dan Nwafor, Jude Ejieogu, Hon Pascal Obi, Madam Chidimma Uwajimogu, among others.
