OKOROCHA DECLARES HIMSELF APC’S DOMINANT FIGURE IN IMO

Former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has declared himself the dominant figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State, insisting that the party’s structure remains under his influence.

Okorocha made the declaration during an interview with Arise News on Thursday while reacting to the political dispute over the APC senatorial ticket for Imo West ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The former governor maintained that he played a major role in founding the APC and establishing its political structure in Imo State.

“Rochas is the APC in Imo State. I was a founding father of this party,” he said.

He also insisted that the party’s structure in the state was built around his political contributions, adding, “The structure of APC in Imo State is Rochas. And I gave the name APC.”

Okorocha’s comments followed a Federal High Court judgment recognising him as the winner of the APC senatorial primary for Imo West ahead of the 2027 elections.

Reacting to suggestions that the Imo State Government could challenge the judgment, he argued that the dispute was between him and Governor Hope Uzodimma, rather than the state government.

“What does Imo State Government have to do with the election between me and Hope Uzodimma as a person? It’s not Imo State Government contesting for election, it’s Hope Uzodimma,” he said.

He also dismissed claims that opposition forces within the APC had weakened his influence, describing them as individuals allegedly acting on behalf of the governor.

Questioning the legitimacy of the party structures being presented against him, Okorocha asked whether any party congress had been conducted to establish their positions.

The former governor further maintained that his relationship with the people would enable him to mobilise support for the APC and President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.