With peanuts Imo politicians can betray, destroy their own —Okorocha

Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has described politicians from the state as betrayers, who can destroy their own for peanuts.

He stated this during a press conference inside the Government House, Owerri, the state capital, adding that politicians in the state are local champions.

The governor who has continued to have a running battle with stakeholders of the state’s All Progressives Congress (APC), said he respects Hausa and Yoruba politicians, who according to him, respect their leaders.

Okorocha’s problems with notable strong APC members in the state, including his deputy governor, Eze Madumere, came following the governor’s insistence to have his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, as his successor.

He was recently suspended by the leadership of the state APC over anti-party activities.

But speaking at the conference, Okorocha said, “Imo politicians are local champions; you can quote me. They can collect peanuts in order to destroy their own. But I respect the Hausa and Yoruba politicians, they respect their leaders.

“Look at Madumere . Today, he would have been a senator, but he betrayed me. The Hope Uzodinma he is supporting today, where is he from? Is he not from the same Orlu zone where Uche Nwosu comes from?

“Have you been to Madumere ’s house? Is it not bigger than this Government House? Look at Emma Ibediro that I fought hard so that he can become the APC’s National Organising Secretary, today he has betrayed me.

“I made Osita Izunaso APC ’s first National Organising Secretary. From being a Permanent Secretary, I made George Eche Accountant – General and later Secretary to the State Government . It is in their blood to betray people .”

READ ALSO: SOYINKA: Election has come again, killings have escalated, judiciary in disarray

On his ambition to become Orlu zone senator in the coming election, he said, “I am going to the Senate for two things: first reason is to represent Imo State and Igboland.

“The second reason is to make sure that what is due to us get to us. I want to be politically relevant after I leave office as governor.”

He then called on Imo people to vote for his Nwosu, who is the governorship candidate of a different political party, Action Alliance, expressing optimism that his son-in-law would continue from where he would stop and develop the state further.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now