There is a major twist in the rift between former governor of Imo State and senator representing Imo West Senatorial Zone in the Senate, Senator Rochas Okorocha and Governor Hope Uzodimma.
Okorocha has promised to make “sacrifices” for peace to reign between him and his sucessor.
“This is not a time to claim right. Claiming right could lead the country to disasters. From Sokoto to Imo, Lagos to Kwara, let peace reign.
“From Rochas Okorocha to Hope Uzodimma, let peace reign. It is a very difficult one, but for the sake of peace, I am ready to make sacrifices” Okorocha said in Abuja, during his 59th birthday celebration.
His hand of friendship to Gov.Uzodimma comes barely five months, he had alleged on Channels Tv, that Uzodimma hates him so much.
“Governor Hope Uzodimma hates me with passion, he just hates me, I don’t know the reason he has been fighting me but never a day have I fought him and I made it a point of duty that I will never fight back.
“But he just shows hatred and envy, I don’t know why or for what reason and he doesn’t seem to be changing, he’s not relenting.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with him, if I know, I would have done something… but I see hatred, and I know if I engage him, that will create even more problem in the state I have suffered to build… So I must be a Father,” Okorocha had said in May on Channels Tv.
The rift between Okorocha and Uzodimma dates back to 2019 during the race for the governorship ticket of the All Progressive, APC in Imo State.
While Okorocha, then governor of Imo State, wanted his son in law, Uche Nwosu, to emerge the party’s governorship flagbearer, Uzodimma was declared governorship candidate of the party by then national Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomole.
The duo temporarily ‘reconciled’ after the Supreme Court on January 14, 2020 sacked Emeka Ihedioha of the PDP as governor of Imo State and Uzodimma sworn in as his replacement.
Things fell apart again, when Gov.Uzodimma accepted the report of several probe panels instituted by the Ihedioha administration targeted at probing Okorocha’s administration.
A white paper report which flowed from a Judicial Panel of Inquiry, recommended confiscation and forfeiture of properties of the former governor to the State government.
The former governor resisted an attempt by the State government to confiscate Royal Palm Estate, Owerri, a property linked to the wife of the former governor.
The duo are also entangled in a fierce battle for the soul of the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC in the State.
Okorocha insists that his ally, Dan Nwafor is the authentic Chairman of the APC in Imo State. He and his allies, such as Senator Ifeanyi Araraume had boycotted the party’s membership and Revalidation exercise.
The Caretaker Commitee led by Marcel Nlemigbo is backed Governor Hope Uzodimma and is recognized by the national leadership of the party.