ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, has denied claims suggesting he plans to dump the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing such reports as fake and politically motivated.
In a press release signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Sam Onwuemeodo, Okorocha responded to a viral social media report which falsely quoted him as calling the APC “a party desperate to hijack power.”
He insisted that he never made such a statement and described the report as a fabrication by those “threatened by his political influence.”
The former governor questioned the logic behind the fake quote, asking: “Okorocha would never describe a party that has been in government since 2015, and still counting, as ‘desperate to hijack power.’ What power again?”
He emphasized that it was illogical to make such a claim about a political party he helped to build and that has remained in federal power for nearly a decade.
“Almost eight years after leaving office as Executive Governor of Imo State, and several years after serving as Senator representing Imo West, those with a phobia of Rochas Okorocha still cannot sleep with their two eyes closed,” the statement read.
READ ALSO: lt Is Not True, I’ve Not Joined PDP – Okorocha
According to Vanguard, the false quote in circulation claimed Okorocha said: “APC is no longer a political party but a party desperate to hijack power at all costs. I am at the corner looking at them, Senator Rochas Okorocha.”
But his media aide said the comment was entirely fabricated by “those envious of his political journey.”
The statement also recalled Okorocha’s early and risky commitment to the APC, especially during its formation when it had minimal support in the South-East region.
“Okorocha took a political risk when major South-East leaders doubted the viability of the APC. He was ridiculed for his decision, yet he stayed committed”, the statement added.
The release further stated that his loyalty and influence within the APC led to his unanimous election by fellow governors as the pioneer Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum:
.“It’s important to recall that, due to his dedication, he was unanimously elected by fellow APC governors as the pioneer Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, which he helped to build into a strong force.”
It stressed that if the former governor ever had concerns about the party, he would not express them through “a badly written social media post,” but would instead address them openly and directly, consistent with his known political style.
“Okorocha remains a bonafide, committed member of the APC. He never made the statement being circulated by those envious of his political journey”, it said.