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Tag: Okorocha

  • ‘Tinubu and I are most likely to be’ – Okorocha speaks on APC presidential ticket

    ‘Tinubu and I are most likely to be’ – Okorocha speaks on APC presidential ticket

    Senator Rochas Okorocha ( APC – Imo) on Sunday said that if the possibility of a Tinubu and Rochas ticket emerged ahead of the 2023 presidential elections, he would clinch it.

    Okorocha, a former governor of Imo, said this while fielding questions from newsmen at the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Convention in Abuja.

    “Uncle Tinubu and I are most likely to be.

    “I know that at the appropriate time it may be because he is the one pushing up in the south west and I am in in the south east.

    “So let us see what happens between us, and if that is it ,I will ask him to relax a bit so that we can move this section forward.

    “The people naturally love me and I think it is because they believe I care, they believe I love and have sympathy for humanity ,they believe I am detribalised .

    “They believe I do not know religion or tribe, Muslim Christian, Igbo or Hausa, Yoruba, all I see is a human being and that is what makes the difference on my side.’’

    Okorocha urged Nigerians to use their voter cards well because it was worth much more than they thought.

    He said that 2023 would present an opportunity for them to make the right choices.

    “Whether it is for internal democracy or for general elections, you must ensure that you cast your vote right because the voter’s card contains everything .

    “It is the education of your children ,it is your health , food on the table and security, so I always advise people that the worth of that card in your hand is more than N100 million so do not sell it for N10,000,’’ he said

    Okorocha said the convention was beautiful and looked peaceful and everyone seemed to be excited because they were all trying to see that the much talked about convention came to pass.

    Talking about the party and its challenges, he said that although time was not on the party’s side “ we pray with this exercise coming to completion, we are now sure that we are on track and APC is still a great party in spite of its challenges.

    “However, as you know ,big party big wahala ,it is expected and with the leadership shown by President Muhammadu Buhari, we are beginning to see light at the dark end of the tunnel .’

    Okorocha expressed gladness that the convention was not hijacked, adding that it was much easier for all if the right things were done.

    “That is all we have been asking ,beautiful internal democracy, free and fair where people must be allowed to choose the person they want .

    “That is the beauty of democracy, so anything outside this is manipulation and it is not good for democracy .’’

  • Okorocha visits Buhari, accuses EFCC of ‘unjust harassment’

    Okorocha visits Buhari, accuses EFCC of ‘unjust harassment’

    President Muhammadu Buhari has met behind closed door with the former Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo at the State House, Abuja.

    Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, Okorocha said he was in the Villa to seek President Buhari’s intervention over his ordeal with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Okorocha, who allegedly accused the EFCC of “unjust harassment”, claimed that he had secured court judgment and two court orders at different forums, which stop the EFCC from harassing and intimidating him.

    Okorocha is being charged by the EFCC with allegations he conspired with others, including an APC politician and five companies, to steal N2.9 billion from public coffers when he was governor of Imo.

    However, the former governor, who is currently the senator representing Imo West senatorial district, also accused the people he described as cowards of being behind his ordeal with the EFCC.

    Okorocha also told the correspondents that he formally apprised the president on his decision to vie for the 2023 presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

    He said: “I also used this opportunity to intimate Mr President of what is going on between me and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the harassment and intimidation that I’m getting from the EFCC, literally on daily basis.

    ”I informed him that I have court judgment and two court orders from different judgments at different forums, which stop the EFCC from harassing and intimidating me. EFCC have refused to obey the law.

    “And so I have to inform Mr President that EFCC should be made to obey the law that established it. And without the law there wouldn’t be an EFCC. And the desperation with which they go about any affair that concerning me, should stop.

    ”The court ordered the EFCC to release my international passport, the EFCC have refused to obey.

    ”The court gave damages to me for some N500million for EFCC to pay. EFCC has not paid that.

    “Rather than doing that, on the day of my declaration, EFCC went on the press to announce that I’m being prosecuted for some criminal charges of N2.9billion and no more N5.9billion.

    Asked if reporting the EFCC to the President was to stop the corruption allegation against him, he said that he had not requested the president to stop him from being investigated but to get the anti-graft agency to obey the law.

    “I didn’t come here to say, I don’t want to be investigated by the EFCC. That’s not the issue, but that there’s judgment on the ground.”

    Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has formally received Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha into the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Bwacha was presented to the president by the Chairman, APC National Caretaker Committee and Governor of Yobe, Mai Mala Buni, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.

    Buni, who spoke to State House correspondents after the presentation, said: ”We just brought in our newest member of the party, the All Progressives Congress, in the person of Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha, for Mr. President to formally receive him into the party, and that is what we have just done.

    He said the president was happy and delighted for receiving a ranking Senator like Bwacha joining APC from Taraba.

    On his part, Bwacha said: ”I choose the APC because I know from the homefront that is where there will be a level playing ground, number one.

    ”Then number two, the Ibi Bridge, which had been awarded and work is ongoing, was awarded under President Buhari, nobody from my senatorial district is not happy about this project, because this has been our cry since the colonial days.

    ”Also, under his watch, the Kashimbila Dam project had been completed. So, I had to answer to the calls of my constituents to join this party and redefine the narrative in Taraba State and restore its lost glory.”

    The senator called on citizens of the state to join forces together so that they could build a better Taraba, where governance and development of infrastructure would be seen as the hope of the people and a priority.

  • Just In: After declaration to contest 2023 presidential election, Sen Okorocha lands in trouble as EFCC slams him N2.9bn charge

    Just In: After declaration to contest 2023 presidential election, Sen Okorocha lands in trouble as EFCC slams him N2.9bn charge

    Hours after declaration to contest 2023 Presidency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged former governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, with conspiring with others, including an All Progressives Congress (APC) politician and five companies, to steal N2.9 billion public funds.

    EFCC filed the charges, totalling 17, on Monday at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    In addition to Okorocha, other defendants are Anyim Nyerere Chinenye, Naphtali International Limited, Perfect Finish Multi Projects Limited, Consolid Projects Consulting Limited, Pramif International Limited, and Legend World Concepts Limited.

    The charges were filed about the same time Okorocha was declaring his intention to run for the office of the president in 2023.

    Meanwhile, some invited guests and supporters of Okorocha’s 2023 presidential bid have expressed anger as they were locked out of the International Conference Centre (ICC) hall, Abuja, where the declaration took place.

    Despite having tags and invitation cards to prove that they were invited for the occasion, they were still stopped by the security men at the gate.

    Even journalists and staff of the Rochas Foundation were not spared the humiliation, as they were also denied entry to the programme that lasted less than an hour.

    Some of the invited guests and supporters were seen complaining of how they were treated at the occasion.

    It was also gathered that several supporters and professionals who were at the ICC for professional jobs have expressed displeasure over the incident.

  • 2023: Why I want to become Nigeria’s next president – Okorocha

    2023: Why I want to become Nigeria’s next president – Okorocha

    Former governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, on Wednesday declared his intention to contest in the 2023 presidential election.

    Okorocha made this known in a letter read at plenary by the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan.

    He has also stated his reasons for joining the presidential race and why he wants to become the next president of Nigeria.

    Okorocha wrote the following on Facebook this morning:

    “Yesterday, in accordance with the right granted me in the 1999 as a citizen of Nigeria to vote and be voted for, I wrote a letter to the Senate declaring my intention to vie for the position of the President of The Federal Republic of Nigeria come 2023.

    “Over the years, my passion has always been to create The New Nigeria we all desire. This passion has seen me serve in various government-level capacity to the applause of my people each time.

    “I would be making an official declaration publicly by 11 am on Monday the 31st of January, 2022.

    Together we can make Nigeria great again.

    “I look forward to interacting with you and ultimately to serving you.

    “Together, we would rebuild our Blessed Nation.

    “God bless Nigeria.”

  • Listing of Bandits Sponsors: Gov Uzodinma backtracks, says Okorocha is his biggest headache

    Listing of Bandits Sponsors: Gov Uzodinma backtracks, says Okorocha is his biggest headache

    Finally, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, Tuesday bakslided after announcing that he would list those sponsoring banditry in his state.

    Speaking at a critical stakeholders meeting despite issuing a statement that led to palpable fears in the state earlier this week, Uzodinma’s courage failed as all he could say was that former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha was his biggest headache.

     

    The governor told the stakeholders that rather than naming them, he would allow security agents who had identified them do so without interference.

    He accused politicians and the media of “creating unnecessary tension and apprehension” in the state.

    Uzodimma said, “You will recall that I have said that I will use the opportunity of this Stakeholders meeting to name those behind insecurity in the state.

    “Since then, many politicians have latched on that statement to cause problems in the state. Even the media, both mainstream and social, did not help matters.

    “I want to tell you that instead of naming them I will allow security agencies who are already investigating those identified to finish their work. Naming them would jeopardise the work of security agencies who are already doing a great job.”

    Uzodimma, however, accused Okorocha of usurping his ( Uzodimma’s) role by not realising that his time had gone.

    Uzodimma said, “We have many former governors in the state. We have former governors Achike Udenwa, Ikedi Ohakim, Emeka Ihedioha and Rochas Okorocha. But Rochas Okorocha has failed to recognise that he is a former governor

    “Rochas Okorocha is my younger brother. I am older than him and today I am the governor. He should recognize that fact and accord me that respect,” he added.

     

  • Just In: Ex Gov Okorocha, his son-in-law, Nwosu, named as prime suspects ahead of today’s announcement of sponsors of bandits in Imo

    Just In: Ex Gov Okorocha, his son-in-law, Nwosu, named as prime suspects ahead of today’s announcement of sponsors of bandits in Imo

    Former Imo State governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, and his son-in-law, Chief Uche Nwosu, have been identified by the Imo State Government as sponsors of kidnapping and banditry in the state.

    Recall Governor Hope Uzodimma had promised to name those behind the gale of insecurity in the state when he meets with Imo Stakeholders today, Tuesday, January 4, 2021.

    But ahead of the meeting scheduled for 12:00 p.m. at the Government House, Owerri, the administration in a statement signed by Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser to the Governor, Oguwike Nwachuku, announced that Okorocha and Nwosu have been implicated by suspects currently in detention.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, Okorocha and Nwosu have been specifically mentioned by suspects who are in the custody of security agents, as being sponsors of kidnapping and banditry in Imo State, using their relationship with former ex-militants to perpetrate the crimes

    “Rather than clear their names, they appear bent on using both overt and covert means to blackmail the Police High Command, which legitimately arrested Uche Nwosu. They are also actively seeking to dent the image of the fine security officers attached to the Governor of Imo State,” the statement issued on Monday and made available to News Express via e-mail, said.

    Below is the statement in full:

    “Plot by those believed to be fueling insecurity, particularly kidnapping, banditry, arson and cannibalism in Imo State ahead of January 4, 2022 Imo Stakeholders meeting got to a head on Monday with false news of the alleged arrest of the security officers attached to Governor Hope Uzodimma.

    “Governor Uzodimma, it is believed, will use the Stakeholders meeting to expose the identities of those behind insecurity and other forms of criminality in Imo State. This has prompted Imo citizens to become more curious to discover the identities of those undermining their peace and prosperity. Thus, the current media frenzy by both Rochas Okorocha and Uche Nwosu appears to be strengthening the notion of their culpability.

    “To discredit the government and undermine the peace which the Governor has achieved so far, as was evident in the large number of Imo people who came back home from around the world for Christmas and New Year festivities, the duo have resorted to publishing falsehood yet again about security officers in the State Government House.

    “Their claim of the arrest and detention of a certain Shaba, whom they falsely allege to be the CSO to the Imo State Governor is strange as the Governor’s CSO is not known by the name of Shaba both officially and otherwise. In addition, no security officer in the Governor’s security team was either arrested or is currently unaccounted for. As such, the entire story can best be described as a poorly scripted fabrication aimed at misleading the unsuspecting public.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, Okorocha and Nwosu have been specifically mentioned by suspects who are in the custody of security agents, as being sponsors of kidnapping and banditry in Imo State, using their relationship with former ex-militants to perpetrate the crimes.

    “Rather than clear their names, they appear bent on using both overt and covert means to blackmail the Police High Command, which legitimately arrested Uche Nwosu. They are also actively seeking to dent the image of the fine security officers attached to the Governor of Imo State.

    “The public must be informed that the entire report is false and a failed attempt to frustrate the Imo Stakeholders meeting taking place on Tuesday.

    “The mass of Imo People, who are undoubtedly peaceful and fun loving are enjoined to discountenance the serial falsehood that continue to be churned out by the embattled duo. The focus and direction of the Gov. Uzodimma led government, it must be emphasized, will continue to be about the wellbeing of the people of the State, no matter what it takes.”

  • ‘Unknown gunmen’: Recent happenings in Imo State backed by some forces in Abuja – Okorocha

    ‘Unknown gunmen’: Recent happenings in Imo State backed by some forces in Abuja – Okorocha

    Former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha on Tuesday suggested that elements described as ‘unknown gunmen’ in Imo State may soon be revealed after the arrest of Uche Nwosu.

    According to him, Nwosu’s arrest at a church on Sunday gave a glimpse into how the Imo State government carries out criminal acts with policemen attached to Government House.

    The Imo State Government has said Nwosu’s arrest was part of an independent police investigation and that Okorocha was attempting to politicise the issue.

    Nwosu, who has since been released by the police, was a candidate in the Imo gubernatorial election of 2019.

    In a press conference on Tuesday, he said his arrest was politically motivated.

    The police are yet to publicly comment on the matter.

    “What is happening in Imo state is unfortunate. And not just Imo, but the entire nation and humanity. Imo State is becoming a banana republic, where there is complete lawlessness and where people live in fear. There is no day that somebody is not being killed, harassed.

    “It appears as if the happenings in Imo state have some backing from Abuja. That’s what I could figure out. And there seems to be enmity between the people here and the presumed federal government of Nigeria just because of a communication gap.

    “Most people have been wondering about the mystery of unknown gunmen. But it appears to me now that unknown gunmen have finally been unraveled with the recent happenings.

    “Unknown gunmen now is a set of policemen from Government House who, without the consent of the Commissioner of Police, the Inspector General of Police, or the DIGs, but on their own on the instruction of the government of Imo State, led by Hope Uzodinma, and his CSO, Shaba, who give directives to arrest people at will and lock up people at will and sometimes the whereabouts of these people are unknown. They get policemen from the Government House and go to execute unholy acts. And when they run into problems, they quickly say it is the police,” Okorocha said on a monitored Channels Television programme.

  • How security operatives invaded, shot sporadically in church to arrest me – Okorocha’s son-in-law, Nwosu

    How security operatives invaded, shot sporadically in church to arrest me – Okorocha’s son-in-law, Nwosu

    The 2019 governorship candidate of Action Alliance (AA) in Imo state, Uche Nwosu, has opened up on how he was ‘abducted’ on Sunday in a Gestapo style by security operatives.

    He said the operatives who acted on the orders of one Shafa, whom he described as the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the Imo State Government House”, threatened to “blow off my head if I did not follow them.”

    Nwosu, who is the son-in-law of the former Governor Rochas Okorocha, added that he was first driven to the Government House in Owerri before being taken to Enugu where he was put in a private jet for a flight to Abuja.

    The politician had earlier yesterday confirmed through his Spokesman, Chikezie Nwadike, that he was freed the same day. He also claimed he was not invited by any security agency, prior to his ordeal.

    Nwosu was arrested during an outing service in honour of his late mother, Jemamah Nwosu, at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Eziama-Obaire in Nkwerre Local Government Area of Imo State.

    The incident led to a verbal altercation between the senator representing Imo West in the National Assembly, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, and the Imo State Government.

    The government, which had distanced itself from the arrest, yesterday condemned the fact that it was carried out on church premises. Also yesterday, the state Police Command claimed that “officially,” it was not aware that Nwosu had regained his freedom.

    Briefing reporters in Abuja, Nwosu, who is also an All Progressives Congress(APC) chieftain, said the invasion of the church by the operatives and his arrest were uncalled for as there was no prior invitation by the Police or any other security agency.

    He said: “While the service was going on, some heavily armed security men invaded the church from different doors. While some went straight to the alter, others were walking from one line of the pew to the other.

    ”When they spotted me, they opened fire and started shooting inside the church, some of them walked up to me and said I should get up and follow them or they will blow off my head. I demanded to know who they were and where they were taking me, but they started dragging me. All the while, they were still shooting and everyone in the church was scampering for safety.

    ”It was like a war; they kept shooting inside the church and everybody was running in different directions. It was just an act of God that stray bullets didn’t hit any of the clergymen because they were firing straight at the alter.

    ”After they dragged me from the church into their car, they drove off, When we got to Owerri, three of the cars drove into the Government House and they drove me in one of the cars to Enugu”.

    ”On the way, they stopped after one of them answered a phone call and said Shafa, who is the CSO asked them to get my pictures. They tore my clothes and took my pictures with handcuffs and sent them to the CSO.

    ”After that, they drove me straight to Enugu Airport, where a chartered private jet was waiting and they flew me straight to Abuja. It was at Abuja that it was discovered that the Police hierarchy was not aware of the operation. It was purely planned and hatched at the Imo Government House.

    ”I was not invited by the Police or any other security Agency before my abduction from the church”.

  • Police release Okorocha’s son-in-law, Nwosu

    Police release Okorocha’s son-in-law, Nwosu

    The Police have released a former Imo State gubernatorial candidate, Uche Nwosu.

    Nwosu, a son-in-law to former Governor Rochas Okorocha, was whisked away by the security agencies at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Eziama-Obaire, Nkwerre Local Government Area of Imo State on Sunday.

    The heavily-armed security operatives stormed the church with high-powered security vehicles and shot sporadically into the air before arresting Nwosu.

    Confirming the release via a statement on Monday, the Special Adviser to Nwosu on Media, Nwadike Chikezie, said his principal did not spend a night in custody.

    “I have spoken with him and he extended his greetings to all of us out there. While we await police report on why the abduction and arrest, we call on everyone to remain calm and focused because God is in charge of the whole situation,” the statement read.

    “The act of desecrating the House of God we all know a direct affront and challenge to God Almighty. We leave God to do his fight because vengeance is of God but to all Christians, does it now mean that the Government has no more respect for God, and does it now mean that the House of God is no more a place one can take refuge? God prove your answers.”

    The earlier arrest of Nwosu created panic in the community as it was the outing service of his late mother who was laid to rest on Wednesday 22nd December 2021.

    While police authorities did not immediately confirm the incident, they released a statement later to clarify that Nwosu was arrested and not abducted as feared in some quarters.

  • ‘He is an ordinary citizen, not above the law’, Imo Govt defends Police arrest of Okorocha’s son-in-law, Uche Nwosu

    ‘He is an ordinary citizen, not above the law’, Imo Govt defends Police arrest of Okorocha’s son-in-law, Uche Nwosu

    The Imo State government has reacted to the arrest of Mr Uche Nwosu, saying the police have the right to arrest him if suspected of any crime.

    Addressing reporters on Sunday in Owerri hours after the incident, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Imo, Declan Emelumba, stated that it was not in anybody’s place to tell the police how to arrest a suspect.

    He also faulted the reaction of the immediate past governor of Imo, Rochas Okorocha, to the arrest of Nwosu, the latter’s son-in-law.

    “What is the haste in this press conference trying to politicise an ordinary thing,” the commissioner said of the briefing convened earlier by the former governor.

    “Uche Nwosu is just an indigene of Imo State and a citizen of Nigeria, and if he has run afoul of the law, the police have every right to arrest him, and nobody should dictate to them how they do it.

    “It depends on the gravity of the offence, and it depends on the information at their (police) disposal.”

    Earlier, there was panic at Eziama-Obaire in Nkwerre Local Government Area of Imo as security operatives stormed St. Peter’s Anglican Church and left with Nwosu.

    The heavily armed operatives stormed the church with high-powered security vehicles, shooting sporadically into the air before arresting Okorocha’s son-in-law.

    Emelumba described the claim by Okorocha, in which he accused the state government of instigating Nwosu’s arrest, as untrue and disgusting.

    According to him, the former governor is just trying to whip up sentiments and speaking from a state of panic and guilt.

    The commissioner asked the former governor to desist from such an act and allow the security operatives who already confirmed the arrest of Nwosu to do their duty.

    He stressed that the state government has no hands in the arrest of Okorocha’s son-in-law.

    “What is painful is that a former governor of this state, Rochas Okorocha, is busy raining abuses on His Excellency, Governor of Imo State [Hope Uzodinma], and saying all manner of things about him.

    “I don’t want to join issues with him,” said Emelumba.

    Amid reports that Nwosu might have been abducted by gunmen whose identity was unknown, police authorities in the state said he was in their custody.

    “This is to inform the general public that Chief Uche Nwosu was not kidnapped but was arrested by the police and Imo State Police Command is aware of the arrest and presently he is in police custody,” said Michael Abattam who is the Police Public Relations Officer in Imo.

    “This is to refute the earlier news that has been making rounds on social media that he was kidnapped by unknown persons/gunmen.”