George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
The Imo State Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by Dr. Hilary Eke, has petitioned the National Working Committee, urging the party to take appropriate disciplinary measures against Governor Rochas Okorocha.
The state working committee alleged that the governor established a parallel party by appointing an acting chairman in the state against the constitution of the party.
The state chairman said if not promptly checked by the national leadership of the party, the anti party activities of the Imo state governor can plunge the state into avoidable crisis.
Governor Okorocha had, two weeks ago, announced one Chris Oguoma, from Owerri Municipal Council, as the acting chairman of the party, following his loss at the state congress.
The petition, which was contained in a statement signed by the state Publicity Secretary, Nwabueze Oguchienti, read: “Pursuant to Article 21D (11) of the APC constitution, the state Working Committee has made appropriate recommendations to the National Working Committee of our great party, to take adequate disciplinary measures against the Governor of Imo State, Owelle Anayo Ethelbert Okorocha, for engaging in various anti-party activities, which could lead to breakdown of law and order in the state.”
The party also said it has noticed with concern, the illegality perpetrated by some elements in the party after successful congresses in the state was held, alleging that some elements, who it described as impersonators, led by one Chris Oguoma, recently appointed by Governor Okorocha, as acting chairman of the party, have been defrauding members of the party, particularly council chairmanship and councillor aspirants, for the proposed local government area election, by collecting various sums of money for forms for various elective positions.
The party said the only legally constituted executive of the party in the state is the one led by Dr. Eke, which is legally permitted to handle such matter, warning aspirants to desist from dealing with the said impersonators, as the party cannot be held liable for any loss incurred from such fraudulent transactions.
“These elements, who are now impersonating the office of the state chairman and other officers of our great party, have been defrauding our party members, particularly aspirants to the proposed local government area election.
The state working committee, after an elaborate meeting resolved as follows: “That all aspirants to the proposed local government election are advised in their own interest to deal only with the Dr. Hillary Ekeh led executive committee, members who are the duly elected and recognised executives of our great party in the state. Any dealing with any other person (s) is a nullity and of no effect.”