Rochas warns Ndigbo to be politically savvy as he effectively launches his 2023 presidential campaign

IMO State's Governor Rochas Okorocha has warned Ndigbo that they need to apply tact and wisdom in dealing with the rest of the country or they will continue to lose out politically as he effectively starts his 2023 presidential campaign.

Currently involved in a bitter spat with the members of his party the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State, Governor Okorocha is unhappy about the fact that his son-in-law Uche Nwosu, was not selected as the gubernatorial candidate. his prompted Mr Nwosu to quit the APC and stand as the Action Alliance (AA) candidate with the full backing of the governor.

After the APC selected Senator Hope Uzodinma as its gubernatorial; candidate, Governor Okorocha has been at loggerheads with the APC despite being a senatorial candidate. Party chairman Adams Oshiomhole has insisted that the official candidate will get the party's backing to the chagrin of the governor who is supporting Mr Nwosu.

Yesterday, Governor Okorocha recalled the fate of the Ndigbo since after the civil war, lamenting the fact that they were about making similar mistakes that put them in a disadvantaged position in the Nigerian project. Governor Okorocha alleged that the recent political upheavals in Imo were sponsored by forces outside the state, using politicians from the state to pull him down ahead of 2023.

Governor Okorocha said: “The saying that there was no victor and no vanquished after the civil war is just a mere way to create unity for the country, otherwise the Igbo were the vanquished. Ever since, the Igbo has fared like the defeated but the most painful aspect is that Ndigbo are about to lose again.”

He stated that the calculation was that if he is allowed to continue gathering momentum he will give a good fight for the Igbo presidency. Governor Okorocha warned that Ndigbo will be at the losing end with him politically alienated.

 “There is more to the noise you are hearing about the governorship election in Imo. It is not about Uche Nwosu, it is a plot to stop Okorocha by all means, otherwise why will Adams Oshiomhole and Rotimi Amaechi be interested in who governs Imo.

“The calculation is that if Uche Nwosu becomes governor and I go to the senate, I will be a strong force by 2023. The most annoying fact is that they are using our people to pursue that agenda.”

Explaining why he is contesting, the governor said he is going to the senate to remain politically relevant until 2023 and also to represent Ndigbo and the Nigerian masses. he has long harboured the ambition of running for president in 2023, when it is believed that it will be Ndigbo's turn to produce the president of Nigeria.