Ndigbo will contest presidency after Buhari….Gov. Okorocha

Imo state Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha has declared that Ndigbo are not in a hurry to contest Presidency of Nigeria in 2019, but would rather wait until President Muhammadu Buhari runs out his tenure in office.

Owelle Okorocha stated this while speaking with State House Correspondents shortly after meeting with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, yesterday.
Governor Okorocha who was reacting to the call made by former President Olusegun Obasanjo that Ndigbo should produce the next President in 2019, said the region would rather allow the party zoning policy to play out, even though he personally does not subscribe to zoning as principle for selecting leaders.

“What I do know is that Ndigbo should talk about presidency after President Muhammadu Buhari.”
Governor Okorocha who also declared that the party, All Progressives Congress APC, was being strengthened in the South East to make it stronger also called on Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that he still has to run out his tenure.
“We should support this government. President Muhammadu Buhari has a tenure to work for, four years or eight years.”
“According to the zoning arrangement and everybody should follow the zoning although I am not an advocate of zoning.”
Governor Okorocha noted that contrary to insinuations, the APC as a party is strong in the South East.

“We are trying to rebuild the party and redefine leadership so there will be no confusion. As to whether the APC in the South East, is in disarray as the case has always been, we want to have a united party in the South East.”
He reiterated that the party is very “hopeful from all discussions that about two governors will be joining us in the South East to strengthen the party.

“Right now, we have agreed that Sen Ken Nnamani should take over the leadership of the party to enable us have a common understanding, long with other leaders like Chief Jim Nwobodo.”
Reacting to the denial that governors in the South East will join APC, he declared that the report was not true, adding that even if it was true, it is probably because he revealed the development faster than was expected.
“I don’t think it is true, but if it is true it is probably because it is not time. It could be because I spoke when they were not yet ready.”

On insinuations that he (Rochas) is not worth the political leader that they should follow, he declared further that “Leadership is not in question, we have agreed that Senator Ken Nnamdi should lead. So, it is not about Rochas Okorocha, I am already a governor” he said.