*BY OKECHUKWU NWOSU*
The ward congress in Imo APC has continued to generate tension in the party and by extension in the State.
Since a coalition of APC Stakeholders said the ward congress was successful and peaceful, thus outpacing the State Governor in a battle for the soul of the party, there has been uneasiness and exchange of verbal political fireworks by both camps mainly on the social media.
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Governor Rochas Okorocha was reported to have returned to the State yesterday after rushing to Daura, Katsina State on Sunday to see President Muhammadu Buhari where he reportedly complained over the manner the ward congresses were held in the State.
No official statement has emanated from the State Government since the Governor returned from Daura to Owerri except unverified posts on the social media by suspected paid agents of the State Government.
In a related development, newspaper reports said the party stakeholders in Imo on Monday complained that the Vice President Yemi Osibanjo was piling pressure on the party’s national leadership to tamper with the outcome of the party’s ward congress.
According to a statement signed by Dr. James Obi after the meeting in Abuja, the APC leaders said their advice was anchored on “credible information that Vice President Yemi Osibanjo led forces within the party was putting pressure on the national chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie Oyegun to alter the party’s ward congress that took place last Saturday as it affects Imo State”
The APC stakeholders have continued to claim victory in last Saturday’s ward congress.
The State Chairman, Hilary Eke had said the exercise was successful and peaceful, a claim that has not gone down well with the Governor’s camp.
The APC national leadership has however called on aggrieved members of the party to go the appeal panel.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi said on Sunday “We, however acknowledge that there are some issues arising from the conduct of the elections in some states. “With this in view, the party had set up various appeal committees which will begin sitting from Monday, May 7, 2018″