Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, yesterday, alleged that he almost lost the race to be re-elected in 2015, saying: “The correct votes of the people of Mbaise did not count.”
The governor was quoted to have made this statement when some traditional rulers from Mbaise and a member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Raphael Igbokwe, from the area, paid him a solidarity visit at the Government House, Owerri.
According to a release by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, Okorocha is not a sectional leader and will not neglect Mbaise people.
The governor also described Igbokwe, who is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as rescue mission compliant.
The release stated: “If there is one group of people that I am proud of, that are so enterprising and have made the name of this state great globally, it is the Mbaise people.
“In other words, Imo State can hardly be talked about without the mention of Mbaise. Mbaise people are a source of pride to us and adequately play a key role in the development of the state.
“In the last election, I almost lost the election because of the result they churned out from Mbaise. I equally know that Mbaise people voted for me but something happened along the line.
“Yet, Mbaise is the place I have built a university, factory, schools, hospitals, roads, and having the highest number of beneficiaries of the free education programme.
“I took oath to serve the whole of Imo people. I am not sectional and for that oath, I have been faithful to it. I am not a sectional leader and will never be. Mbaise will get the best from this government.
“All the projects I have in Mbaise will be completed before I leave. Politically, I will always work with the Mbaise people. Mbaise people should start resisting the idea of Abuja selecting candidates for them for political offices.”
“Hon. Nnanna Igbokwe is a young man that has the support of his people. Some politicians talk only about party, while the wise ones talk about people in the party, as you cannot have a cathedral without a Bishop.
“There are three groups of Imo people. People who love one another and believe in the progress of the State; people who love themselves and believe in the progress of themselves and finally, the docile ones who sit on the fence and fall to any group that favours them.
“Nnanna Igbokwe belongs to the group who love one another and believes in the progress of the State.
“Igbokwe, you are doing very well, you have remained consistent. We will support you and coming with Ndi eze shows your humility and unity of purpose.
“I want to thank you and request of you to join hands with those who think alike, be in that family. I will advise you to join people who share the same ideology with you.” – Vanguard.
