Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State seems to have concluded plans to run for president on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) instead of the Labour Party (LP) as earlier reported in the media.
A source in the APC said the only assurance that made Okorocha to remain in the party is a deal between it and the South East caucus of the APC.
The understanding is that the APC will throw the presidential primaries open, and if Okorocha loses he can still be the running mate of the winner.
He added that former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, who is bidding for the ticket, is friendly and working closely with Okorocha with plans to make him his running mate.
But Senator Chris Ngige scoffed at the idea, saying “the APC is not a Muslim party” and will not produce a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.
Okorocha, a Christian, has built a mosque on the premises of Government House, Owerri to pander to Muslim sentiments.
Despite Ngige’s swipe, Okorocha said he is determined to run for Aso Rock and has acquired over 100 branded Sienna Toyota inscribed with “Rochas We Know 2015”.
His media campaign portrays him as a presidential material ready for the job. And students and youths from North East, North West, and North Central have visited Owerri to urge him to contest.
The students, members of the Progressive Youths and Students for Rochas, assured him of the support of students and youths nationwide.
Their leader, Mohammed Kazim, from Nasarawa State, said Okorocha is the most credible presidential candidate and the only one capable of solving Nigeria’s problems, given his achievements in Imo.
Speakers from the North East, North West, and North Central bared their minds on national affairs, zeroed in on insecurity in the North East, and demanded leadership change in the Villa.
Okorocha said the problems in the country were created on the plank of ethnic and religious divisions and called on youths to help change the psyche of Nigerians to recognise that they are one, regardless of tribe, religion or creed.
Nigeria, he maintained, is in need of a true transformation that will end Boko Haram insurgence, unemployment, and poverty.
