Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, may be angling to join the Labour Party (LP) because of the cold reception for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South East.
He had defected from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to the APC when the going got rough, but the APC lacks structures and political heavy weights east of River Niger to exude confidence of winning any office, despite huge sums spent and copious rhetoric.
Owelle Rochas Okorocha
An office has been hired and furnished on Okigwe Road, Owerri to serve as the state secretariat of the LP, whose members said it is backed by Okorocha.
LP does not have even a councillor in Imo.
Regardless, Okorocha’s defection is reportedly being sketched as a back up plan if he fails to secure the presidential or vice presidential ticket of the APC, where he is the Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum.
Four parties in 14 years
Okorocha is in search of political fulfillment for himself, his state, and Nigeria, not minding his penchant to change parties.
He has pitched tent with at least four political parties in less than 14 years. He originally joined the PDP where he came second in the Imo governorship primaries in 1998.
In 2002, he crossed over to the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) for his presidential quest. The contest then was between him and John Nwodo, former Information Minister.
But former Head of State, Muhamadu Buhari, who was unable to go round the country on the stump like other aspirants, emerged as the consensus candidate in the primaries in Abuja.
From the ANPP, Okorocha transited to Action Alliance (AA), APGA and APC. Now, his supporters wait to hear his declaration for the LP.
Investigation showed that the Igbo are sceptical of the leaders of the APC, accusing Buhari and former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, of failing to put all the cards on the table.
Okorocha denies report
However, Okorocha’s Media Assistant, Sam Onwuemeodo, described his defection as the work of rumour mongers.
“They said he was to move to the PDP, now they are also speculating that he is moving to the Labour Party when the man is waxing strong in Abuja, making contacts to actualise his presidential bid in the APC.
“He is one of the founders of the APC and cannot leave the party for anybody,” Onwuemeodo assured.
On what may be Okorocha’s plan B if he fails to secure the party’s presidential ticket, Onwuemeodo said it is not a do or die affair.
“Every contest should be seen as a football contest where you prepare to go home if defeated. You can see that the almighty Brazil in football was defeated by the German machine to the surprise of many and were out of the World Cup final.
“[Okorocha] knows what he wants in the APC and he is busy chasing that ambition.”
LP treats report as rumour
LP National Chairman, Dan Nwanyanwu, dismissed report of Okorocha’s move to join the party as a rumour.
“Yes, to be very sincere with you, I too have heard the rumour that [Okorocha], who is my personal friend of many years, is showing interest in our party.
“He is not alone. There are many other political heavy weights from across the country who are doing so too,” Nwanyanwu said.
He dismissed it as a rumour, saying if Okorocha is really interested in the LP, he knows how to go about it.
“I do not act on rumour so I do not regard the issue you have just raised as a thing that should occupy my time.”
Nwanyanwu added that he has not been approached by anyone to tell him that Okorocha wants to join the LP.
“If he shows interest may be by approaching the party leadership, you will hear of it.”