APC Concerned About Okorocha, Amosun’s Threats

The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is reportedly concerned over the decision of Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun and Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo to work against the party in the state in their governorship elections.

The Punch reports that some lawmakers who also did not secure their tickets vowed to work only for President Muhamamdu Buhari only and work against the party candidates.

Adams Oshiomhole who is the chairman of the party had said that the APC could win in Ogun and Imo without the support of Amosun and Okorocha respectively.

A source within the party however said the APC convened a consultative forum with governorship candidates, state chairmen and secretaries at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja on Thursday, December 7.

The source stated:“The party is disturbed by the tales from some states and decided to tackle the issues head-on so as not to play into the hands of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.

“We know the party is waiting in the wings and looking for those who will be spoilers among us, so we have decided to be ahead of them.”

Another source said: “In Imo, Governor Rochas Okorocha has allowed his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, to pick the nomination form of another party while he remains in the APC to contest the senatorial seat. We see this as handwriting that the governor will work against the party in the governorship election.

“His position and body language is sending wrong signals to our members, so we need to quickly move in to motivate our members in order to heal many wounds as may be possible. Many of them think the crisis must be handled fast to avoid a gale of defections.

“Also in Ogun, the governor has said he is working towards the re-election of President Buhari but said he would work against the party’s governorship candidate.”

Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau in his opening remark at the consultative meeting also addressed this issue.

He said: “We have started to hear people say that they will campaign for the president, not the governor. The party structure is one and if they are not going to campaign for the governor, don’t campaign with us.

“Raise another structure in Abuja and remain in Abuja because if you come you are likely to dilute the message of the APC.”

“That is why I am also of the opinion that the earlier you release the campaign council, the better. Some of the items we intend to build into our campaign slogan are also for the president."

According to a communiqué signed by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Issa Lanre-Onilu, the consultative meeting resolved that party leaders must campaign for all candidates of the party (presidential, governorship and legislative positions).

“A situation where leaders engage in selective support by picking and choosing candidates to campaign for and support is anti-party.

“The Enugu State Chairman, Ben Nwoye, distanced the state chapter from the condemnable actions and utterances of a senatorial aspirant in the state, Mr Osita Okechukwu.”

Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo lambasted Oshiomhole, describing him as a political liability who is on a mission to destroy the ruling party.

Okorocha’s comments were in response to a statement credited to Oshiomhole that the Imo governor and his Ogun state counterpart, Ibikule Amosun, are political liabilities who only have one vote, each.

The governor, speaking through his commissioner for information, Patrick Nzeh, described Oshiomhole as a victim of his own actions.