OKOROCHA JOINS SENATE RACE, GIVES REASONS
OKOROCHA
JOINS SENATE RACE, GIVES REASONS
Imo
State governor, Rochas Okorocha, has finally joined the list of governors who
have declared their interests in running for elective positions in the
forthcoming 2019 general elections.
Imo State governor, Rochas
Okorocha, has finally joined the list of governors who have declared their
interests in running for elective positions in the forthcoming 2019 general
elections.
Mr. Okorocha had earlier
declared that he would neither run for Senate nor for President in 2019, but
would be keen on who succeeds him.
However,
the governor, while speaking at an event on Monday, said he had decided to run
for Imo West Senatorial District in 2019 general election, the Sun newspaper
reported Tuesday.
Mr.
Okorocha said it would be a disservice to the nation if he failed to contest
considering his “wealth of experience” as a governor for eight years.
Mr.
Okorocha, who has stirred controversies with many of his decisions as governor,
said his participation will also increase the chances of President Muhammadu
Buhari and other candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
South East
leaders of the ruling APC had earlier endorsed Mr. Okorocha to lead the
Southeast Zonal Campaign Council of President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2019
re-election bid.
“I have
decided to run for the Imo West Senatorial zone because if I don’t, bad people
will take the position. If my name appears on the ballot paper as contesting
for the Senate, it will boost APC’s chances in the state. And many from my zone
have said they will not contest if I am interested,” Mr. Okorocha said.
The
governor also reaffirmed the earlier endorsement of his chief of staff and
son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, as his successor.
“If Uche
Nwosu will be home for governor, I will tell the deputy governor to go to the
Senate.
“I told
you earlier that my interest is the presidency but since president Buhari will
be contesting in 2019, I decided to put my ambition on hold until he completes
his tenure,” he said.