Okorocha’s political relevance threatened as Imo APC suspends him

Governor Rochas Okorocha’s political importance in Imo state appears to be seriously waning following recommendation for his expulsion from the party and subsequent alleged suspension.

The party in the state on Thursday announced his suspension over what it described as “gross anti-party activities.”

The state Caretaker Committee chairman of the party, Prince Marcellinus Nlemigbo, told newsmen in Owerri, the state capital, “A letter by the Imo State chapter of the APC signed by the chairman conveyed the suspension to the national chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole.

“We regret that Okorocha who is the party’s candidate for Imo West Senatorial District has vowed to undermine the APC and its electoral interest.”

Earlier, a 9-man Disciplinary Committee of the party had recommended that the outgoing governor be expelled from the party for allegedly engaging in anti-party activities.

The letter recommending his sack and signed by the committee chairman, Matthew Omeghara, and Secretary, Mr Kevin Ugwu, was sighted by newsmen in Owerri on Thursday.

In the letter, the committee frowned that Okorocha failed to appear before it and never cared  to explain in writing any reasons for his absence.

The letter read in part, “The committee has patiently and painstakingly listened to the overwhelming evidence of Prince Ikechukwu Unegbu, and examined all electronic and media materials tendered and admitted in evidence against His Excellency, Anayo Rochas Okorocha’s anti party activities and finds as follows: “That there are overwhelming evidence that are unchallengeable of anti-party activities by His Excellency, Rochas Okorocha.

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“That His Excellency was openly and brazenly, sponsoring, financing, campaigning for his son-in-law Uche Nwosu, who is the gubernatorial candidate of Action Alliance, AA.”

Citing some sections of their party’s constitution, the committee claimed that the actions of the governor contravened article 21 (A) i-vi of APC constitution (October 2014 as amended) punishable under article 21 D (i) (g).

“This is therefore the recommendation of the APC, Disciplinary Committee; that His Excellency, Anayo Rochas Okorocha, be expelled,” the committee said.

The committee explained that its decision was arrived at after “the prosecutor called up his petition against His Excellency, Anayo Rochas Okorocha. The complainant is present while the respondent, His Excellency, Anayo Rochas Okorocha is absent. There is no letter on or on behalf of his Excellency explaining his absence.”

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