By Matthew Don
It was celebration galore in Owerri, the Imo state capital following news of the suspension of Governor Rochas Okorocha by the leadership of the All Progressive Congress (APC).
From the three senatorial zones of Owerri, Okigwe and Orlu, celebrations took off as soon as APC supporters and non-members of the party got wind of Okorocha’s suspension.
At the capital city of Imo state, Owerri, many pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels went into instant jubilation as those whom said Okorocha has stretched his luck too ate and drank ceaselessly.
“So this is the way the Pharaoh has ended his journey in APC? I thought he said APC is his private property and he can afford to do anything he likes. How are the mighty falling!”, one man who gave his name as Ebere and an APC member from Orlu told Armadanews.com.
Another indigene, Charles Okere said Okorocha has been a bad influence on many supporters of the APC.
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC suspended Okorcha and the Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun for anti-party activities and plans to see them expelled any moment from now.
Also suspended by the APC NWC over anti-party activities are the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani and the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu.
The decision to suspend the APC dissidents was reached on Friday at a meeting of the Party’s NWC, presided by the National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.
The APC national spokesman, Lanre Issa Onilu said the NWC has also taken a decision to recommend the expulsion of the suspended individuals to the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.
“Recall that the NWC had earlier written to the suspended governors on their anti-party activities, and several other steps were taken to ensure they desist from taking actions that are inimical to the interests of our party and candidates. Notably, these individuals have not shown any remorse and have actually stepped up their actions.
“The party reviewed the serial anti-party activities of the concerned individuals before and during the last Presidential and National Assembly elections in their respective states and resolved to enforce party discipline in line with our constitution.
“The NWC noted how the suspended members have continued to campaign openly for other parties and candidates that are unknown to our great party, even while they have constituted themselves as opposition to APC candidates in their respective states.
“Importantly, the NWC is closely monitoring the activities of our members across the country, and particularly, in the states these suspended members belong to. We wish to reiterate that any member of our party who takes any action solely or in line with the directives of the suspended members to undermine our party’s candidates in the coming governorship and House of Assembly elections would face disciplinary actions.
“We wish to congratulate our members nationwide for the victories we recorded across the country in the last elections and particularly, the renewal of our party’s mandate for President Muhammadu to continue to pilot the affairs of this country for another four years. This could not have happened if not for the hardwork and commitment of our members. We therefore urge all our members to unite and work ever harder to ensure victory for our candidates across the states in the coming governorship and House of Assembly elections.
“Consequently, the NWC calls on our members to disregard directives and actions of the suspended individuals as APC would continue to live by the dictate of our constitution,” Issa-Onilu said.
But Okorocha said unfortunately his expulsion can’t stand “because the law has taken care of it even long before now.”