Oshiomhole accuses Rochas of anti-party activities after he denies APC use of Owerri stadium

ALL Progressives Congress (APC) chairman Adams Oshiomhole has lashed at Governor Rochas Okorocha for refusing to allow the Owerri stadium to be used for the launch of the party's gubernatorial campaign because he disagrees with the choice its candidate Hope Uzodinma.

Yesterday, the APC descended on Owerri the Imo State capital to launch the gubernatorial campaign of Senator Hope Uzodinma, its governorship candidate but the ceremony had to be held at the party's secretariat. Governor Okorocha had backed his son-in-law Uche Nwosu to clinch the APC ticket but after numerous battles, the party eventually settled for Senator Uzodinma, prompting Mr Nwosu to leave the party.

Speaking at the launch, Mr Oshiomhole said that President Muhammadu Buhari has adopted Senator Uzodinma as the APC's governorship candidate, so Governor Okorocha should accept the choice. He further  accused Governor Okorocha of engaging in anti-party activities with his refusal to allow Senator Uzodinma to use the stadium for the launch of his campaign.

Mr Oshiomhole said: “The days are gone for a governor who will look at people and say there is money to do other things and not to pay civil servants. I want to tell you that those governors that were given money including the governor of Imo State that did not use it for that purpose will be retrieved.

“Buhari has adopted Hope Uzodinma as the governor of Imo State and I want you to go and tell people what I said as Nigeria needs to produce political leaders that have concentration. How will you believe that an APC governor will lock the stadium against an APC governorship candidate?"

Accusing the governor of neglecting the people of the state with his style of governance, Mr Oshiomhole said it was tax payers’ money that is used to build that stadium and not Governor Okorochas' personal money. He added that the party was behind Senator Uzodinma and the governor has to accept that reality.

Daniel Nwafor, the chairman of the Imo State chapter of the APC and a staunch ally of Governor Okorocha responded, however, saying that security agencies should investigate the bribery allegations against Mr Oshiomhole and Senator Uzodinma. He reiterated that Senator Uzodinma is not a member of this party, hence could not be recognised as the APC candidate.

He further described Mr Oshiomhole as a reckless rascal for daring to ignore a valid court order restraining him from tampering with the state structure of the party. Mr Nwafor condemned moves by Mr Oshiomhole and Senator Uzodinma to get the state executive committee, as local government and ward excos of the party dissolved.