For the first time after media speculations of a rift, Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, Saturday, gave details why he and former Governor of the State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, are poles apart from each other.
Uzodinma at a caucus meeting of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in the State held at his instance at Government House, Owerri, identified two reasons why he and Okorocha are not together.
According to him, Okorocha requested him to dissolve the Panels constituted by Emeka Ihedioha, a request he rejected because he (Uzodinma) felt that the people of the State wanted Okorocha to be held accountable for his 8 years of governance in the State.
Uzodinma was quoted by The Sun to have said “There were two requests Okorocha made to me when I became Governor. The first was to dissolve the panels set up by Ihedioha to probe his administration. I refused to grant the request because as I told him also that I think the mode of Imo people was in support of the probe.
“Then he made a second request of allowing Dan Nwafor to remain the Chairman of APC in the State. I also declined and told him to allow the party and the laws of the land to settle the issue in accordance with the rules of justice”
Former Abia State Governor and Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, had last week confirmed the rift between Uzodinma and Okorocha.
Kalu had said “In the Senate I am ranked number four and I have never taken it for granted. The only problem I am facing, is to resolve the issue between the Governor of Imo State (Hope Uzodinma) and the former Governor (Rochas Okorocha) ; for them to be on the same page , I will be fulfilled politically any-day both of them decide to work together.
He continued “My dream is to have round-table discussion with Governor Uzodimma, yourself ( Okorocha), Senator Ken Nnamani , Hon Minister Ogbonnaya Onu, Senator Chris Ngige and Minister Geoffrey Onyeama and others. Once we achieve that, the sky will be our starting point. If we are unable to resolve the political issues in Imo State it will be difficult for us to move forward”
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