Imo guber: I won’t allow Araraume succeed me –Okorocha
Imo Governor, Rochas Okorocha has said he will not support the aspiration of Senator Ifeanyi Araraume as governor of the state in 2019.
Okorocha said his successor will be produced by the people of the state, and that he has already told the aspirants to start consulting with the people who will determine who they want.
This was just as he said anybody who is going to succeed him as governor, must not proud, arrogant, vindictive, greedy and narrow minded or clannish.
He reiterated that he “will not support the aspiration of Araraume as the governor of the state in 2019. He also ruled out the possibilities of his immediate predecessor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim succeeding him because “if he is re-elected, his mission would be for vengeance.”
Okorocha, who stated this yesterday during an interactive session with newsmen in the state said contrary to insinuations that he has already chosen a successor, it is, indeed, Imo people who should name who his successor should be.
“I want Imo people to name who they want as their governor in 2019, because I will not name any body, and that is why I have asked the aspirants to consult with the people; but, definitely, the likes of Araraume and Ohakim will not succeed me.
“I want a good leader for my people, this question has constantly come up, I have not given my support to Acho Ihim, Uche Nwosu, Chike Okafor or Madumere yet, but, before the end of this month, I shall name my successor, but it will never be Araraume or Ohakim.
“If Ohakim comes back, he will come with a lot of vengeance. I am a gentle governor, I have not flogged my critics like some people did, that is the kind of leader I want to give my people.”
He also disclosed that he had penciled down Lawmak Duruji from Ehime Mbano for the House of Assembly, Prof. Nnamdi Obiaerari as replacement for Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu, Ugonna Ozuruigbo as the House of Representative candidate for Isu/Njaba/ Nwangele .
Meanwhile, the Imo State governor has disclosed that he would erect more statues to honour 42 distinguished persons from the South East to commemorate the 42nd anniversary of the state.
Notable among them are late Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, late former governor of the state, Sam Mbakwe and the late premier of the defunct Eastern Region, Michael Okpara and other citizens of the state who have contributed to the development of the state since creation in 1976.
Commenting on the controversial letter by ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo to Muhammadu Buhari, Okorocha said it would not stop his re-election as president of the country in 2019. He said he will support the re-election of President Buhari if he decides to contest.
People should not cry more than the bereaved because both Obasanjo and Buhari met in Ethiopia and I think Buhari will respond soon.
“The letter written by a former president to a serving one is a high level letter which requires high level response, those people commenting on the letter are crying more than the bereaved.Buhari will respond soon, his response, I believe will be that he is running for president, if he is running, I will support him.”
