* Says He Remains The Best To Govern Imo State Again
Former Imo State Governor, Ikedi Ohakim has said his firm belief that politics should not be played without bitterness and not a do or die affair were some of the factors why he visited All Progressive Congress, APC governorship aspirant, Senator Ifeanyi Arararume recently.
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Ohakim had last week visited his erstwhile political foe at his Isiebu country home after the funeral of the mother of former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC Prof Maurice Iwu.
According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Collins Ughalla, Ohakim said he believes in the comradeship among those aspiring to be governor of the state, and that politics should be played without bitterness.
“Moreover, Dr Ikedi Ohakim believes in the brotherliness of brothers and that the love and bond between brothers should be very strong that no kind of politics will be a wedge between them, no matter what”
“He believes firmly that if we must preach political tolerance we must first imbibe same and demonstrate it to our followers, so that they too will imbibe same qualities” the statement stated.
He added that It is for the sake of this long held principles that he paid an unscheduled visit to his brother, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, at his home in Isiebu in Isiala Mbano LGA of Imo State on Friday, March 16, 2018, putting aside their political differences but bearing in mind that they are brothers after all.
The statement stated “ Ohakim will continue to relish the warn reception he received from Senator Ifeanyi Araraume and the good time they had, eating together, hugged each other, shook hands, cracked jokes and laughed together. He will also be glad to host Senator Araraume or anyone else in his house, and he will visit more governorship aspirants in the state”
He however made it clear that “his brotherly visit does not in any way mean or suggest that he has backed down from his 2019 second term bid, or that he is contemplating doing same, especially as nothing like that was discussed”
The Former Governor however made it clear that he remains in the 2019 governorship bid, and as it stands, events in the last seven years have shown that he is the best man for the job.
“However, having set the pace, Dr Ikedi Ohakim expects that in the overriding interest of the state all political aspirants should visit each other, eat and drink together, shake hands, hug each other, crack jokes and laugh together, as the best way to inculcate the virtue of political tolerance among the people, rather than do-or-die politics.
“Doing so will also show the level of political maturity and selflessness among the aspirants and their supporters” the statement concluded.