The Federal House of Representatives member representing Okigwe South in the National Assembly, Deacon Chike Okafor, has reaffirmed his loyalty and support to Senator Rochas Okorocha.
Okafor made the affirmation in a post on his Facebook page, where he traced his political life, and gave credit to Rochas Okorocha, who he described as the founder of APC in the SouthEast.
He further called for support for the party to win the Okigwe Senate Bye-election, thereby supporting Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, as against Frank Ibezim who had the backing of Senator Hope Uzodinma.
Okafor’s loyalty had in recent times been questioned, as he seemed to give mixed direction as to who he was loyal to.
With the post below, he reaffirmed his support for Okorocha and by extension, Araraume.
The success of the Imo APC at the Okigwe Bye-election, has been threatened by the leadership battle in Imo State APC, which has Senator Hope Uzodinma, Emeka Nwajiuba on one side, and Senators Rochas Okorocha and Ifeanyi Araraume on the other side.
While Uzodinma tried to foist a candidate for the party, Araraume through the courts, reclaimed his mandate, kicking out the Govenror’s anointed.
There have been indications of plot by the Uzodinma faction to back opposition candidates against Araraume.
Chike Okafor’s post reads as follows;
“I was NEVER a member of any political party until I was appointed Hon.Commissioner for Finance,and member of Imo State Executive Council in June 2011 by His Excellency Owelle Anayo Rochas Okorocha after he won election that year.Then we became foundation members of the APC I think sometimes in 2013/2014.
In 2015 i ran,and won election to the House of Representatives under the same party,and ran again in 2019 and won,all by the grace of God.
You’ll not forget in a hurry my travails after my victory at the last polls,and how the party stood by me firmly,even the then National Legal Adviser,Babatunde Ogala,SAN represented me up to the Supreme Court pro bono till i reclaimed my mandate.
I think it will be immoral and unfair for me to even contemplate to work against the party in the December,5 Imo North Senatorial by election,no matter who is on the ballot and even if the person do not like me..
I think there MUST be morals in politics.
People MUST be ethical.
So with a very high sense of obligation,and responsibility,i once again call on ALL my supporters across Ehime Mbano,Ihitte Uboma,Obowo Federal Constituency to cue behind me,and our party,the All Progressive Congress,APC to ensure that the party retains the seat the unfortunate demise of our dear brother,Dist.Senator Benjamin Chukwuemeka Uwajumogu made vacant.
We owe it to his memory.
We owe it to His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodimma who until recently is the only Governor of APC extraction in the South East.
We owe it to the founding father of APC in the South East, His Excellency Dist.Senator Rochas Okorocha who would need the brotherly support of a fellow Imo APC Senator in that red chamber.
We owe it to the Hon Minister,and Imo State representative in the Federal Executive Council,FEC,who incidentally comes from this Constituency,
We owe it to the 3 Members of the State House of Assembly who are ALL of the APC.
And with all sense of humility,you owe it to me,a 2 term ranking member of the House of Representative.I will work better with Senator of the same party.
In the days ahead leading to December 5,I will be convening meetings of critical stakeholders,and interest groups to press this demand..
Okigwe MUST prevail,and our Vote MUST count
Thank you,
Hon Chike John Okafor.”
