Enyinnaya Onuegbu, the Chief of Staff to Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, has strongly criticized former governor Rochas Okorocha regarding the ongoing political dispute within the All Progressives Congress (APC) chapter in the state.
Appearing as a guest on Arise Television's current affairs program 'Prime Time' on Friday, Onuegbu argued that Okorocha skipped all critical gatherings and administrative sessions preceding the party's primary elections in the region.
According to the senior government official, it is unreasonable for the former governor to assert leadership status or demand entitlements within the political platform after intentionally ignoring internal party engagements.
"Okorocha was absent from key events leading to Imo APC primary. He was nowhere to be found. He didn't attend any reconciliation meeting, he didn't show up for stakeholders' meeting," Onuegbu remarked during the televised interview.
He added that the former governor only reappeared when it was convenient to contest the results of an internal process in which he played no part.
"He wants to reap where he did not sow. You cannot stay away and then come back to dictate who becomes candidate," Onuegbu stated, accusing Okorocha of misrepresenting the actual sequence of events.
"Okorocha heavily distorted the facts. At what point before the primary elections did he address Imo APC members as an aspirant? The law requires oral evidence from witnesses, not just conflicting documents. He was not physically present at most of the events leading up to the primaries."
Furthermore, the Chief of Staff noted that Governor Uzodinma made genuine attempts to reconcile with Okorocha and other dissatisfied party leaders, but those efforts were rebuffed as they allegedly ignored telephone calls from the state executive.
Despite the friction and noise originating from the political camp of the former governor, Onuegbu maintained that the ruling party in the state remains cohesive and fully prepared for upcoming electoral engagements.
What led to the current political friction?
The verbal exchange follows a judicial pronouncement delivered on Thursday by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which dismissed the candidacy of the incumbent governor for the Imo West Senatorial District race and instead recognized Okorocha as the victorious candidate.