Southeast Group Hails Imo People For Returning Okorocha

A SOCIO-POLITICAL group, the Eastern Conscience (EC) has given a thumb up to the people of Imo State for voting wisely and returning Governor Rochas Okorocha for a second term in office, describing him as the bridge between the South-east and the incoming All Progressives Congress (APC) at the centre.

Rising from its quarterly interactive session held at the All Seasons Conference Centre in Lagos, the group in a five-point communiqué signed by its President-General/Convener, Mike Ikoku, Nze Nnaemeka Kalu and Chief Godfrey Ofili, director, Abia and Delta states respectively, also canvassed further support for Owelle Okorocha to enable him discharge his onerous responsibility as the new Igbo political leader.

The EC lauded the governor for his foresight and political sagacity for electing to embrace the APC even when it was almost a taboo to do so in the Southeast region, a predominantly PDP stronghold.

“In our declaration before the election, we called on our people to back the APC. We thank Imo State people for their support.

Now that the elections are over, Ndigbo should sink their political differences and rally support for Okorocha to enable him succeed, not only as Imo governor, but as the leader of the Ndigbo nation in the incoming governing party.”

While congratulating the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari on his historic victory in the April 11 poll in which the opposition party standard bearer defeated the incumbent president and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, the EC said the President-elect must ensure that the South-east region and Ndigbo are not marginalized or neglected in the allocation of amenities and offices.

The APC-led administration, it said, must ensure its avowed change permeates the entire country, including the Southeast.

The group also lauded the Prof Attahiru Jega led Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for allowing the vote of the Nigerian people to count.

Speaking on the sideline of the forum, which was attended by representatives from the five Southeastern state and Delta, Evang. Ikoku, an astute businessman and CEO of Obiron Group said Lagos was the biblical Promised Land for Ndigbo.

“Lagos has been fair to us. “In Lagos, we’re treated with dignity and respect. We come to Lagos empty-handed, but we’re given a conducive atmosphere to do our business and at the end, we’re rewarded bountifully. I

n fact, if you go back in history, you would recall that even during the civil war of 1967-70, Ndigbo enjoyed unfettered freedom in Lagos, unlike in the north where we were visited with pogrom and in Port Harcourt, where properties belonging to our people were confiscated under the obnoxious abandoned property saga.

“To say that Lagos has been a blessing to Ndigbo is a statement of fact.  So, to do anything that would upset the good relationship we have with Lagosians would be tantamount to biting the fingers that fed you, which Ndigbo are not known for doing.”

He said Ndigbo must not allow themselves to be used by political elements who are bent on promoting their selfish agenda rather than that of the people of the South-east region and its people.

Meanwhile, Ikoku who contested for one of the House of Reps seat has vowed to reclaim his mandate, which he said was given to him by his people in Imo State to represent them at the House of Rep stolen by the PDP, at the court of law.