Okorocha Drops Presidential Ambition, Declares For Re-election

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines Tuesday, October 28th, 2014

From Ignatius Okpara, Owerri

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state, has finally jettisoned his Presidential ambition, just as arrangements have been concluded on his formal declaration for second term in office.

Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha

Okorocha made the clarification Monday during the swearing-in ceremony of seven new commissioners alongside seven new transition committee chairmen.

The opposition All progressive Congress (APC) Governor, stated that the large number of those aspiring to fly PDP’s flag was because of the belief that he would take a shot at the Presidency, yet declared that they would be disappointed as he would not abandon the state at least for now.

He promised to make public his formal declaration for re-election as the state Governor, in the coming days.

The swearing-in of the new commissioners held after a month that six commissioners resigned from Governor Okorochas’s cabinet to pursue their political dream.

Among those sworn-in Monday, was daughter of the state’s second Republic Governor, – Sam Mbakwe, Patience Mbakwe, as the Commissioner for Industry and non-formal sector. Mr. Chidi Ibe was appointed the new Commissioner for Information and Strategy, while Obinna Mbata is now in charge of the Ministry of Internally Generated Revenue among others

The Local Government Transition Committee Chairmen sworn-in were those of Owerri North, Owerri West, Owerri Municipal, Ahiazu Mbaise, Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta and Oru East Local Governments.

Addressing the Chairmen, Governor Okorocha charged them not to see their appointment as an opportunity to acquire wealth or loot the state, but a call to service which was coming at the last lap of the present administration.

He stressed that he carefully chose them not on political basis, but strictly on his conviction that they would promote the rescue mission programme of his administration.