Mathew Amaechi
Former Imo State Governor and one-time Senator for Imo West, Rochas Okorocha, has firmly debunked rumors of his exit from the All Progressives Congress (APC), labeling the speculation as the handiwork of political enemies who remain unsettled by his influence.
In a statement released Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Media, Sam Onwuemeodo, Okorocha described the claims as false and mischievous, particularly a quote circulating on social media which portrays him as criticizing the APC as a “party desperate to hijack power.” He dismissed the statement as fabricated and out of character.
“Almost eight years after leaving office… those with a phobia of Rochas Okorocha still cannot sleep with their two eyes closed,” the statement read. “Okorocha would never describe a party that has been in government since 2015, and still counting, as ‘desperate to hijack power.’ What power again?”
Okorocha emphasized that he remains a loyal member of the APC and has never contemplated abandoning the party he helped to found. He stressed that if he ever had grievances, he would address them internally, not on social media.
Highlighting his early commitment to the APC, Okorocha recalled that he was the only sitting governor from the South-East who joined the party at its inception—a move that came with considerable political risk ahead of the 2015 elections.
“Okorocha took a political risk when major South-East leaders doubted the viability of the APC. He was ridiculed for his decision, yet he stayed committed,” the statement continued. “Due to his dedication, he was unanimously elected by fellow APC governors as the pioneer Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, which he helped to build into a strong force.”
Okorocha’s comments come amid increasing political jostling within the APC and rising speculations about the future ambitions of key figures in the party. But for now, the former governor has made his position clear: he’s staying put.
