For the second time in less than a month, top chieftains of the All Progressive Congress, APC at the national and state levels were conspicuously absent at two high profile events in Owerri organized by Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State.
The first was the 14 days birthday bash of the governor which coincided with the graduation of Rochas Foundation College of Africa last month and the recent visit of President Jacob Zuma of South Africa to Owerri.
No official of the party at the national level graced the two events- a departure from the past where the party’s national chairman,John Odigie Oyegun and other national officers were frequent visitors to the State.
Top party chieftains in the State also stayed away from Zuma’s visit which further raised fears that the widely reported rift in the party runs so deep.
Party chieftains such as Senator Ifeanyi Arararume, Hon. Uche Onyeagocha, APC National Organizing Secretary, Osita Izunaso, and others did not show up for the visit.
Hon.Onyeagocha had taken to the social media to critize President Zuma’s visit to Imo State accusing the South African leader of corruption.
Araraume was sighted at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport on the day Zuma visited. He was seen exchanging handshakes with Governor Okorocha at the Airport.
He never showed up at the event but was sighted in Ikeduru Local Government Area where he went to inuagurate his Fan Club.
The increased absence of the Governor’s party men at the event further raised suspicions that all may not be so well in Imo APC.
