Ex-Gov Ohakim Now APC Chieftain
BY ONYEKACHUKWU IBEZIM – Following weeks of speculations, it is now official that former Imo State Governor, Ikedi Ohakim, has joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) with Governor Hope Uzodinma declaring him an asset to the ruling Party in the State.
For Governor Uzodinma, the decision by Ohakim to join forces with APC will make Imo North senatorial district stronger in party politics ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Interestingly, Ohakim, who announced his APC membership while receiving the Party’s flag from the State Chairman, Marcellenus Nlemigbo, at his Okohia hometown in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area on Tuesday, said the move was inspired his people’s expectations for their common good and overall interests.
According to him; “I think Imo first and is a choice to stay on course. When the entire executive of APC, visited me for registering as a member of APC, I told them that I made my position based on informed choice.”
He described himself as one with “a unique orientation in participatory politics that emphasizes common interest as against personal interest. It was on record that in 1998, against the pull of the tide, many people were surprised when I refused to line behind APP which was considered the party of the movers and shakers of the state then and joined the PDP.”
Further highlighting the reasons for his decision, the ex-Governor said; “This time around I have decided not to swim against the tide”, adding; “The host here are the ones that will bury me when I die and since I cannot bury myself when I die I have decided to obey my people.”
In his reaction while formally welcoming Chief Ohakim into APC fold, Governor Uzodinma noted that Ohakim brings with hm goodwill and a new verve to the ruling party in the Southeast state.
The Governor, represented by Secretary to the Imo State Government (SSG), Cosmos Iwu, said the people of Imo North Senatorial district would surely wax stronger in his administration with Ohakim’s entrance into APC.
Gracing the occasion were many top government functionaries led by the SSG; Governor Uzodinma’s Chief of Staff, Nnamdi Anyahie; Speaker Paul Emeziem; the State House of Assembly leadership; and many prominent political leaders across the three Senatorial zones.
