Unconfirmed reports say that a former Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim may be on his way to the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.
Ohakim governed Imo State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP from 2007-2011 having been elected on the platform of the Progressive Peoples Alliance,PPA.
He was conspicouly absent at some strategic meetings of the PDP at the State and national levels especially when the crisis in the party lingered between Ahmed Makarfi and Ali Modu Sherrif factions.
Before then, he had announced his exit from politics choosing to focus his attention on Youth mentorship. He also expressed misgivings on how the PDP was run in the State.
He however made a surprise appearance at a meeting of the party in Abuja after the Supreme Court ruling that recognized Makarfi’s National Caretaker Committee as the authentic leadership of the party.
Since then, he has been absent at party meetings in the State. He has never shown up either at meetings summoned by the Charles Ezekwem state leadership or that of Nnamdi Anyaehie thus strengthening his claim that he is yet to rejoin partisan politics and the PDP.
Ohakim has rather focused his time on delivering lectures on leadership principles having delivered a special lecture on late literary icon, Chinua Achebe at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and lately, a speech that touched on contemporary issues affecting the nation at a youth seminar at Winners Chapel, Owerri.
He called for restructuring of Nigeria at the event.
Ohakim may be considering moving on with his governorship ambition this time on the platform of APGA having observed that despite the resolution of the PDP crisis in Abuja, the Imo State chapter is still embroiled in needless crisis orchestrated by some party stakeholders, a situation which may further limit his chances of picking the party’s governorship ticket.
A source said the former Governor who staged a bid to return to power in 2015 but lost the PDP ticket to a former deputy speaker, House of Representatives, Hon.Emeka Ihedioha may have lost confidence in the PDP and choose to paddle his political boat to APGA which is very attractive to the Igbo populace not only in Imo State but across the South East States.
He had hosted pro Igbo nation advocates such as President General,Ohaneze Ndi Igbo,Chief John Nwodo and Leader of the Indigeneous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu at his Okohia residence, a move which analysts said signal his positive disposition and alignment to the cause of Igbos in the present political dispensation which APGA represents.
None of Ohakim’s aides agreed to speak on the matter but a close media official to the former Governor, Mr.Collins Ughalla said Ohakim is a big fish who has no hiding place.
In response to this newspaper inquiry on his possible move to APGA, Ughalla said Ohakim is an honest man and does not hide his political moves.
He wrote “You know that in politics rumour is an attractive tool that keeps the engine running. Former Governor Ikedi Ohakim is a very important politician in Imo State that has demonstrated huge and impressive capacity to turn around the fortunes of the state and not tow the path of razzmatazz and deceit. He is a big fish and he needs no hiding in the deep sea”
L-R: Former Imo State Gov, Ikedi Ohakim receiving President General, Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, John Nwodo at his Burma Retreat residence, Okohia
“Don’t forget that former Governor Ikedi Ohakim is an honest man and does not hide his political moves. He carries his followers and supporters along in everything he does. When he was going on sabatical, he told the world. If he will leave the PDP for any other political party I am sure it will not be done in secret. He will tell everyone. For now, let’s enjoy what the rumour is producing” Ughalla said.