The camp of Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has fired back at former governor Rochas Okorocha over the controversy surrounding the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the Imo West Senatorial District, accusing him of staying away from key party activities before the exercise.
Enyinnaya Onuegbu, Chief of Staff to Governor Uzodimma, made the allegation during an appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme, insisting that Okorocha was absent from reconciliation meetings and stakeholders’ engagements preceding the primary.
According to Onuegbu, the former governor did not participate in the activities leading to the primary but resurfaced after the exercise to challenge its outcome. He argued that Okorocha could not distance himself from the process and subsequently seek to determine who emerged as the party’s candidate.
“Okorocha was absent from key events leading to Imo APC primary. He was nowhere to be found. He didn’t attend any reconciliation meeting, he didn’t show up for stakeholders’ meeting,” Onuegbu said.
He further accused the former governor of distorting facts surrounding the primary, questioning when Okorocha formally presented himself to APC members as an aspirant before the exercise. Onuegbu also maintained that Governor Uzodimma made efforts to reach Okorocha and other aggrieved party leaders, but the overtures were allegedly rebuffed.
The exchange comes against the backdrop of a Federal High Court judgment in Abuja declaring Okorocha the winner of the APC primary for the Imo West Senatorial District and rejecting Uzodimma’s candidacy. The development has intensified the dispute over who will represent the APC in the 2027 Imo West Senate election.
