The once cordial relationship that existed between Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state and Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu, wife of late Biafran warlord, Odumegwu Ojukwu seem to have dwindled, as the Imo state government accuses her of making disparaging statements against the state Governor.
Bianca, who is currently the Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, had recently alleged that Governor Rochas was single-handedly installed by the leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike.
Political pundits say that her statement is coming on the heels of the internal dispute in the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) which was formed by Bianca’s late husband, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
But in a sharp reaction, the Imo state Governor, through his Special Assistant on Media (Prints), Ebere Uzoukwa, described Bianca’s submission as not only baseless, but unfortunate.
The Governor also said it was unfortunate that Binaca wanted to rubbish the inputs of the late Ojukwu to establish a united Igbo people and which earned him the mentor of any person of Igbo extraction seeking political office.
Okorocha, who recalled how politicians thronged Ojukwu’s house to seek his endorsement and blessing while he was alive, said: “though the state government doesn’t take pleasure in joining issues with anyone owing to its commitment towards transforming Imo under the Rescue Mission Agenda of Governor Rochas Okorocha, it is, however, pertinent to put the record straight for the sake of unsuspecting public that the MASSOB leader was neither a card-carrying member of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) nor has the power to anoint candidates for the party.”
Claiming that the relationship between Ojukwu, when he was alive and Okorocha was one between father and son, the Governor reminded Bianca that during the governorship election in the state, APGA lost woefully in Chief Ralph Uwazurike’s ward and Onuimo, his local government area. Okorocha wondered how that could be possible if Uwazurike actually had a role in the election that brought him in as Governor.
The statement read: “the MASSOB leader worked for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate and we strongly believe that Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu is aware of this fact. However, the state government takes serious exception to Bianca’s unguarded statement and advises her to face her new responsibility as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain.
“His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has much respect for the late Ikemba Ojukwu and the entire family and Bianca should not pose a threat to that relationship with her unholy romance with some disgruntled elements and enemies of Imo people.
“Rather than discuss issues of great concern to Ndigbo, Bianca and her new found allies are busy playing to the gallery and insulting the sensibility of Imolites who voted massively for His Excellency Owelle Rochas Okorocha.”
The party has witnessed a leadership crisis that has eaten deep into its fortunes with Governor Rochas Okorocha and embattled National Chairman of the party, Chief Victor Umeh refusing to attend a peace meeting that was scheduled last Tuesday without any reason.
It was learnt that the meeting was agreed upon by stakeholders in the party including Okorocha and Governor Peter Obi of Anambra state as a means to iron out the lingering internal squabbles.
Confirming their absence in a statement, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Bernard Akoma, said the meeting was part of the recommendations of a five-man peace committee made up of members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party from the South-east led by its Deputy National Chairman (South), Chris Ejike Uche, that was set up to find solutions to the crisis rocking the party.
He said the two chieftains stayed away after they had given the impression and assuring Governor Obi that they would be present for the meeting.
Those who attended the meeting were National Assembly members, Mrs. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu who is already having problems with Governor Okorcha, all the National Working Committee members from South-east and Speakers of State Assemblies controlled by the party.
Discussions at the meeting, according to dependable sources, were centred on the need to foster peace and unity and strengthening of the party to give it a national outlook.
