Future Of South-East Lies With APC, Says Okorocha • Maintains APGA’s A Sectional Party

Rochas Okorocha (2)Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State yesterday said he had forgiven the Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Chief Victor Umeh, for accusing him falsely over his decision to jettison the party for All Progressives Congress, APC.

Okorocha, who stated that as a detribalized Nigerian he would continue to promote the interest and peaceful co-existence of all tribes, was reacting to claims by Umeh that he left APGA to pursue an anti-Igbo agenda in the APC.

“I am a detribalized Nigerian who is determined to work in the interest of everyone irrespective of their tribes. APGA is essentially a sectional party and cannot help Ndigbo to achieve national offices or attain leadership positions in this democratic dispensation,” he said.

Stressing his resolve not to engage the APGA national chairman in a war of words, the governor described Umeh as his brother and extended an invitation to him to join the APC.

In his words, “I forgive him for all he has said about me and his reaction is predictable. If you lose dozens of your state chairmen and source of livelihood, you are bound to react the same way but I honestly believe that the future of the South-East lies with APC.”

Gov. Okorocha, who maintained that all the perceived injustices against the South-East region would be addressed by an APC-led government, faulted those who criticized his decision to join the party for not taking into cognizance that of all the six key leadership positions in the country, none was occupied by an Igbo man.

The governor hailed the people of the South-East for their enthusiasm and support for the APC and promised that the party would be the vehicle through which the region would witness rapid and sustained economic development.

He, therefore, enjoined other members of APGA to join the progressive train for total eradication of poverty in the country.