IMO WEST: Okorocha rates self highly, says PDP candidate too small to contest against him

Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha on Thursday clearly rated himself very highly as a person who should not be challenged by ‘lesser’ men.

This came as the governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, described the senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Imo West in last Saturday’s election, Jones Onyereri, as being too small to challenge him in an election.

According to Governor Okorocha, the PDP candidate, a serving member of the House Representatives, should have stepped down the moment he heard he (Okorocha) was in the race.

Suggesting that his people of South East lack respect for dignitaries, the governor claimed that in other parts of Nigeria, a politician such as Onyereri would not have been allowed to contest against him.

Okorocha was alleged to have forced the Returning Officer to declare him winner of the poll under duress.

But in the statement, the governor claimed he won the senatorial elections in all 12 local government areas that make up the senatorial district.

“The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the Imo West Senatorial District election, Jones Onyereri, is too small by all standards and in all ramifications to stand or contest election against Governor Rochas Okorocha.

“In other parts of the country, Onyereri would not have contemplated contesting the senatorial election the moment he heard or knew that Owelle Okorocha was in the race.

“But in this part of the nation, anything goes. People have no respect for their superiors, especially when they can afford to buy Land Cruiser Jeep with tinted glasses and two mobile policemen in front of the car.

“On what grounds would Onyeriri challenge Okorocha in an election, to the extent of claiming victory? Who was Jones Onyeriri before his entry into politics and who is he today?

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“Beyond politics, what other claims can he make in this life? He has the audacity to be challenging a man who has made his marks in every aspect of life long before venturing into politics.

“Okorocha had run for the Presidency of this country two times – in 2003 and 2007. Who had heard about Jones Onyeriri during these periods? Even as a House of Representatives member, what has he done that Orlu zone people would now choose him above Governor Okorocha?,” the statement read.

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