Former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has maintained that he remains the leading political force within the All Progressives Congress in Imo State, insisting the party’s structure in the state remains under his influence.
Okorocha asserted this during an interview with Arise News on Thursday, reacting to the controversy over the APC senatorial ticket for Imo West ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He dismissed claims that he had lost control of the party’s structure to political forces believed to be backing Governor Hope Uzodimma.
According to the former governor, his contributions to the formation of the APC and its growth in Imo State make him a central figure in the party.
He said, “Rochas is the APC in Imo State. I was a founding father of this party.”
Reinforcing his position, Okorocha claimed that the party’s structure in the state was built around his political influence, adding that he was responsible for giving the party its name.
“The structure of APC in Imo State is Rochas. And I gave the name APC,” he stated.
His comments followed a Federal High Court judgment which recognised him as the winner of the APC senatorial primary for Imo West ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reacting to possible moves by the state government to challenge the judgment, Okorocha argued that the dispute was a personal political contest between him and Governor Uzodimma, rather than a matter involving the state government.
He said, “What does Imo State Government have to do with the election between me and Hope Uzodimma as a person? It’s not Imo State Government contesting for election, it’s Hope Uzodimma.”
Okorocha also played down opposition within the party, describing those allegedly working against him as political aides acting on behalf of the governor.
He questioned the legitimacy of the party structures being presented as opposition to his influence, arguing that no congress had been conducted to establish their authority.
“Has there been any election? Was there any congress conducted? There was none,” he said.
The former governor further maintained that his political relationship with the people of Imo State would enable him to mobilise support for the APC and President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
