Okorocha said he would use his current position as a launch pad, because “I am here to demonstrate my vision and leadership skills.” Stretching further his desire for the presidential diadem, Okorocha, who described himself as an unconventional governor said: “If I am going to contest for president in 2015, then my one term ends. If I am going to contest for president in 2019, then it is better to face what I am doing. But the truth is that my ambition to run for the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not cancelled.” He criticised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for not putting performance as a benchmark in the quest for second term by public office holders.
“I remember that the issue of second term is not a right for anyone who has been a governor. Whether you have done well or not, you’re entitled to a second term. Let whatever you have done speak for you. I have argued that with the leaders of the PDP. It is wrong.” The governor, who is of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), also relieved his ordeal when he was a member of the PDP. He accused the PDP of failing him at critical points in his political career, and lacking the basic tenets of internal democracy; vowing not to ever have anything to do with the party again.
“Through all my political life, PDP has failed me. First, I wanted to be governor under the PDP. It was taken away from me. I wanted to be a senator, I went under PDP and won, but they denied me the ticket. I came to run for president under the PDP, and I came second. Then, I wanted to be the national chairman, it was not possible. I wouldn’t have achieved my political ambition under PDP. If I had gone for the governorship under PDP in 2011, Ohakim would have stopped me at the primary. That’s to tell you my odyssey in PDP. I have paid my dues in PDP, thinking that the PDP has internal democracy. The party has a problem of internal democracy.”
He declared his intention to reposition APGA as a strong national party with vision. Although, he acknowledged his newness on the platform, he said the current crisis plaguing it was not as much the issue as the loss of vision and communication. Restating its vision, he said: “If it is just an addendum to the PDP, then it is not growing. Our vision for it is to make it a strong national platform, completely independent with its roots in Igbo land; we can quickly reach out and be strong in other parts of the country.
“We are going to strengthen the party, reorganize it. The issue of leadership is even an infinitesimal part of the problem as compared with vision. Yesterday, every Igboman believes APGA is their party. You can’t win election in the South-east without their support.” On the challenge of running the affairs of Imo state, he said it was daunting but surmountable, saying he met a state that was not doing well, with poverty, debts, lack of trust, corruption and deceit dotting the landscape.
THE SUNONLINE
"Through all my political life, PDP has failed me,first i wanted to be governor under the PDP. It was taken away from. I wanted to be a senator,i went under PDP & won but they denied me the ticket. I came to run for the president under PDP and i came second. Them i wanted to be a national chairman,it was not possible. I wouldn't have achieved my political ambition under PDP. If i had gone for the governorship under the PDP in 2011,OHAKIM would have stopped me at the primary. Thats to tell you my journey in PDP. I HAVE paid my dues in PDP,thinking that the PDP has internal democracy. The party has a problem of internal democracy,i will never return to the party again." OWELLE ROCHAS OKOROCHA
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