Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State remains the most outstanding governor from the South East Nigeria, one the most vocal APC member from the South East, and the most dynamic governor from the South East Nigeria. Rochas Okorocha is also one of the most abused governors in Nigeria by his own people. For seeing what his people did not see in APC Rochas Okorocha has become a sheep for the slaughter house. The man has transformed Imo for the better yet they call him a failure. They abuse him for being a member of APC, an Islamic Party. They call APC, The Arewa Peoples’ Congress. They call him _OKOROAWUSA_, _OKOROABOKI_, a traitor, an imbecile, they say he is not a true Igbo son,they say an Hausa man impregnated his mother to give birth to him, they say he is not a Christian but a _MALLAM_, an _EFULEFU_ and a sell-out, who want to help and assist President Buhari to Islamize Ndigbo and other Christians in Nigeria.
Despite these deluge of abuse and name callings, Governor Rochas Okorocha has remained a star, and a champion in the East. He has kept the banner of APC flying high in the South East. He has transformed Imo State, particularly the State capital to look like a modern city with all the trappings of visionary leadership. Okorocha has been speaking out that Igbo need to connect with other Nigerians especially the two major ethnic groups if we must be politically relevant in Nigeria again. Governor Okorocha has spoken times without number that Igbo cannot make it in PDP. Okorocha has said it severally that Igbo need the support of other Nigerians who are co-owners of Nigeria to become politically relevant. He has preached that Igbo, who are co-owners of Nigeria cannot be behaving like total strangers in the land of their birth. Okorocha has appealed to his Igbo brothers and sisters to stop abusive words and hate campaigns that tend to disconnect Igbo from other Nigerians.
Rochas Okorocha has successfully united Ohaneze Ndigbo and went ahead to build and ultra-modern Ohaneze house in Owerri. Early this month Ohaneze Ndigbo, in unity, amity and concord gathered at the great house built by Rochas Okorocha after many years of acrimony and division. They united with a sense of purpose, a sense of mission and a sense of vision. All the Igbo leaders who gathered including; Alison Madueke, Ebutu Ukiwe, Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Jim Nwobodo, Pascal Dozie, Prof Anya. O.Anya, Prof George Obiozor, Gary Igariwey, S.N Okeke, Lolo Cecilia Ezeilo, Gov Ikpeazu, Gov Okorocha, Joe Achuzie agreed to one fact: that Rochas Okorocha has transformed Owerri, the State capital. All paid tribute to Rochas Okorocha;s tenacity of purpose in setting the pace for the new Ohaneze. Hear Commodor Ebitu Ukiwe: “_TODAY IS AN INTERESTING DAY AS TOPICS TREATED TODAY HAS THE POTENTIALS OF WAKING US UP, GINGERING US UP TO FACE ISSUES. I AM PARTICULARLY HAPPY TO BE HERE TODAY BECAUSE WHEN I LOOK ROUND OWERRI, I SEE ENOUGH TO INSPIRE ME. IN OTHER WORDS, IT IS A CASE OF INSPIRATION AND ASPIRATION. OWERRI IS TRANSFORMED, I KNOW THE TOWN WHICH IS TURNING OUT TO BE A CITY WELL BECAUSE DURING THE CIVIL WAR I WAS HERE, I FOUGHT HERE”_
According to Chief S.N Okeke_ “ IT IS ONLY IN IMO STATE THAT THE APC CHANGE MANTRA IS EFFECTIVE IN EVERY POSITIVE WAY THROUGH THE TOTAL TURN AROUND OF THE STATE BY OWELLE ROCHAS OKOROCHA” _ Governor Okezie Ikpeeazu has this to say_: “LOVE FOR THE IGBO NATION MUST BE ENCOURAGED AS ANY TRIBE THAT DOES NOT UNITE WILL LOSE ITS RIGHTS, WE MUST UNITE TO GET OUR RIGHTS. THIS IS A NEW DAWN IN IGBOLAND AS OHANEZE THROUGH THE MAGICAL VISION OF OWELLE ROCHAS OKOROCHA HAS UNITED US AS ONE AND WE WILL HENCEFORTH SPEAK WITH FULL BACKING OF GOVERNORS AND LEADERS OF THE IGBO NATION”_ Time and space will not permit me to reproduce what Chief Igariwey, George Obiozor, Anya.O.Anya, Pascal Dozie, Jim Nwobodo and others said at the historic meeting but they were all in full praise of Rochas Okorocha’s vision for Ndigbo and other Nigerians. But Allison Madueke summarized the historic declaration thus: “Anything we put our minds and strength in as Igbo we can achieve it. Igbo are the only people that built an airport without Federal Government’s intervention. We won’t complain of marginalization again”
The point I am making here is that Rochas Okorocha should be celebrated as a bridge builder and a bridge destroyer. Rochas has a pan Nigerian character and I admire him for this knowing that there is great power and gains in diversity. Owelle Rochas should be celebrated as an Igbo hero and not an outcast. He should be honored and not dishonored. He should be encouraged and not discouraged.
Let me therefore leave you with this parting shorts of Owelle Rochas Okorocha at the Owerri gathering for record purposes: Hear Rochas “ Let us break the jink of disunity caused by politics because what unites us is far more than the political parties that divide us. We shall know the points to speak in politics and time to speak as Ndi Igbo. Let us know when to play politics and when to be ndi Igbo. This is the wisdom that underlines us”
Owelle Rochas Okorocha is one of my heroes in Igboland and Nigeria. I share his vision for NDI IGBO and Nigeria. I respect his courage and vision. Despite the unfriendly environment he found himself Rochas has been trouncing his opponents, winning elections and providing services to his people. He has successfully produced one APC Senator from the South East and this is significant at a time like this. This is the hallmark of leadership
Written by Joe Igbokwe.
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