News
Okorocha, Araraume Rift Deepens: Party Chieftain Says “Okorocha Is Afraid Of Me”
Following the earlier reports in National Dallies were Governor Rochas Okorocha was quoted as saying “With Due Respect, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume Lied. He Is Not One Of The Founders Of APC And Has Never Been A Good Party Man”, the Senator Ifeanyi Araraume Media Office located at Destiny House, Onitsha Road, Owerri, has now replied.
See the response:
“The attention of Senator Ifeanyi Araraume’s media office has been drawn to a press statement by the Imo state governor, His Excellency, Chief Rochas Okorocha, through his chief press secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, on the above subject from which he, however, went ahead to pass several other scathing remarks on the senator. Overall, our take on the governor’s statement is that it confirmed our earlier fears that Governor Okorocha was the one who planted recent stories in the media to the effect that Senator Araraume wants to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Governor Okorocha’s current antics is a clear indication that he sees Senator Araraume as the main stumbling block to his blind ambition to pocket the Imo APC and install a puppet as the next governor of the state and in a final bid to cover his tracks after leaving office. We recall that the senator, in answer to questions by reporters at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja recently, had refuted the lie over his speculated exit from the party and went ahead to acknowledge that the rumour was the handiwork of those who are afraid and worried that they have lost control of the APC in Imo state.
“Evidently, those rebuttals angered Governor Okorocha and rather than face realities, he has gone further with his campaign of calumny against the senator. Hence, his latest press statement.
“But even the least discerning observer of events in the Imo APC knows that the governor’s latest antics is in desperate pursuit of a remedy to his loss of relevance in the party as clearly illustrated by recent developments. Only a few weeks ago, the party held the first ever State Executive Committee/stakeholders meeting in the state devoid of any inputs from the governor, the so-called leader of the party in the state. It is common knowledge that Governor Okorocha did everything to sabotage the meeting once the State Working Committee (SWC) refused to bow to pressure from him to have the meeting held at the government house. That refusal by the SWC, headed by Chief Hilary Ekeh, angered Governor Okorocha who not only avoided the meeting but rather allegedly sent thugs to disrupt it. But that plan failed and the stakeholders went ahead to hold the meeting at which crucial decisions were taken and even went further to raise funds to the tune of over N50 million, the first of its kind since the coming into being of the APC in the state.
“Needless to say, the main significance of the huge success recorded by that meeting is that Governor Okorocha has lost grip of the party which he hitherto ran as a private company; just as he does for the entire state. This is where His Excellency, Chief Rochas Okorocha, is now. . Add to this the fact that the governor had only a few weeks before that crucial meeting, embarked on the misadventure of having all elected officials of the party sacked but which backfired, and it will become quite clear why Chief Okorocha, who has become almost a pariah as far as the Imo APC is concerned, is now running from pillar to post. Hence, his current diatribe on Senator Araraume who he believes is his nemesis
PARTY MAN
Senator Araraume is, of course, right in claiming that he is a founding member of the APC. The discussions for merger started in 2011 when he was a caucus member of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, and part of the merger talks. The discussions went very far between the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, the ACN, the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP and others. However, the merger could not be consummated then, due to the closeness of the 2011 presidential elections.
Governor Okorocha was still in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Even with his clout as a governor and claim as a political leader in the Southeast, he could not bring APGA to be part of the legacy parties of the APC. He only joined as an individual much later.
Now, the question is, who, between the two was a foundation member of the APC? In his press statement under reference, the governor claimed that Senator Araraume “has never been a good party man”. This statement is a good example of the pot calling the kettle black.
Governor Okorocha should first examine his own trajectory since the beginning of the current dispensation. He started with the Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN), then to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
After the PDP governorship primaries in 1998 in which he lost, the party compensated him with the senatorial ticket for Orlu zone. But he was roundly defeated by Chief Arthur Nzeribe of the then All Peoples Party, APP; while Chief Araraume won handsomely in Okigwe zone and Chief Evan Enwerem in Owerri zone.
Shortly after the 1999 general election, Chief Okorocha formed the Action Alliance (AA) party but abandoned it for the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) where he was allegedly sponsored to reduce the chances of the party by joining its presidential race which he also lost. He later returned to the PDP and was settled with the position of an Adviser to the president. The outcome of that appointment is in the public domain. Upon getting sacked from that job, he again returned to AA for a short while before again going back to the PDP where he ran for the office of the national chairman in September 2007 and failed woefully. In 2011, he berthed in APGA. Now he is in APC. In 2015 he was again in his usual routine of a “game spoiler” as he was allegedly sponsored to torpedo the chances of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari at the APC presidential primaries. Reports have it that Governor Okorocha is one of the five governors that have secretly joined he Social Democratic Party, SDP and only waiting for an auspicious time to unveil himself. We then ask, can Chief Ethelbert Anayo Okorocha beat his chest and pride himself as a “GOOD PARTY MAN”?
Even so, Okorocha always left behind a trail of woes in each party he berthed in. Let’s take the newest examples. He destroyed the Imo state chapter of APGA after it had given him a governorship ticket on a platter of gold and helped him win the 2011 governorship election.
But how did Okorocha reward the party? He criminalized all the people he met in the party. A good example is that of his erstwhile deputy, Chief Jude Agbaso. Of course, the story is too well known to be repeated here.
Eventually, he left the party battered and shattered.
Today, he is at it again with the APC. Nearly all the politicians of note in the state who came into APC with him have left for other parties.
We ask, what is Governor Okorocha’s relationship with the following personalities who assisted him to his present position today: Prof Anthony Anwuka, Prof Ukachukwu Awuzie, Senators Osita Izunaso and Benjamin Uwajumogu, Chief PC Onuoha, Hon Uche Onyeagocha, Hon Mathew Omegara, Chief Best Mbanaso, Chief TOE Ekechi, Chief Ejike Uche, Chief Esiobu, Barr Iheukwumere Alaribe etc. They have all seen him for who he is and abandoned him. The most pathetic is the case of Prince Eze Madumere, who served him for over 20 years without blemish and later went to jail so that Okorocha could become governor. What is his relationship with Madumere today? The only fellow with Governor Okorocha today as a political ally is his son-in-law, Mr. Uche Nwosu, whom he wants to foist on the state as his successor.
SENATOR ARARAUME AND HIS DEMOCRATIC BATTLES
Governor Okorocha is fond of alluding to the various instances in the past when Senator Araraume stood his grounds to fight for the enthronement of internal democracy in the parties. It is a well-known fact that in all the cases, he came out triumphant. A case in point is that of the PDP in 2006/2007 when the apex court in the land, the Supreme Court, affirmed that he was the authentic governorship candidate of the party. That the election went the way it did is a different matter. Today, the case is a Locus Classicus.
He almost repeated that feat in 2015 but for the fact that the matter became time barred. Even so, Chief Okorocha became the beneficiary of that insistence by Senator Araraume that there must be fair play in party politics. Even a school boy in Imo state knows that had the Senator not decided to fight what happened at the PDP 2014 primary election, Chief Okorocha would not have been re-elected for a second term. There have been only three instances where Senator Araraume had to leave his party. The first was in 1999 when he left the then APP as state chairman to contest for the Okigwe zone senatorial seat under the PDP. And which he won. The second was in 2008 when the national leadership of the PDP dissolved the elected state executives of the party, whose tenure was yet to expire, and handed it over to the then governor, Ikedi Ohakim, following his return to the party.
The third was in 2015 when he won the PDP primary election which was fraudulently manipulated in favor of another aspirant.
After several meetings with the leaders of the party including President Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Tony Anenih and the national chairman, Ahmed Muazu, there were so much foot-dragging until the matter became time barred.
As such, the Senator rightly felt cheated and betrayed his own party.
The final point to note is that it is becoming too late in the day for Governor Okorocha. The APC in Imo has left him behind. However, the train can be momentarily halted to let him in if he is ready to cultivate team spirit and eschew greed and insatiable appetite for grabbing. As noted earlier, the APC faithful made a bold statement on Sunday, March 18, 2018; which is that they have taken back their party from him. It is not about Ifeanyi Araraume or Rochas Okorocha. It is about repositioning the party for the great task ahead.
Signed:
Ethelbert Okere
Media Consultant to Senator Ifeanyi Araraume
…Unveils Selection Panel
The Nigeria Digital PR Summit has officially opened nominations for the second Nigeria Digital PR Awards, a prestigious platform that recognizes excellence, innovation, and impact in digital public relations across Nigeria.
Honourees will take the spotlight at the Nigeria Digital PR Awards Gala; a premium evening celebrating the individuals, organizations, and campaigns that defined digital PR in the past year, marking the 10th Nigeria Digital PR Summit. Adding flair to the night is the Digital PR Fashion Runway; a bold fusion of fashion, technology, and communications that promises an unforgettable experience.
This year, 19 award categories will honour campaigns across four classes including Campaign Excellence Awards, Sector Excellence Awards, Innovation and Technology Awards, and Individual & Professional Excellence Awards.
The Summit also unveiled a three-member Selection Panel responsible for reviewing entries and shortlisting winners.
The panel is chaired by the Founder and CEO, Fernhill Digital Consulting, Datari Ladejo, and includes the former Senior Business Program Manager, MarComms, Africa Development Center (ADC – West), Microsoft, Oluwamuyemi Orimolade; and Founder/Lead Partner, PuzzleCraft PR and Communications, Beatrice Okpara.
Nominations are open to agencies, corporate communication teams, NGOs, startups, and individual practitioners whose work has delivered measurable results and demonstrated creativity in leveraging digital platforms.
Nominations run from September 1 – 8, 2025. Shortlisted nominees will be announced during the Awards Gala on October 16, 2025, at the Conference Centre, Naval Dockyard, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island. For entry guidelines and submission details, visit: https://forms.gle/cM2oFQTnSSqL51EC9.
Founder, Nigeria Digital PR Summit, Segun McMedal, said, “We are excited to launch this year’s call for nominations and to welcome such distinguished professionals to the Selection Panel. This panel reflects the breadth of expertise driving digital communication in Nigeria, and its stewardship will ensure a fair and transparent evaluation process.”
The seven categories in the Campaign Excellence Awards include Best Overall Digital PR Campaign, Best Brand Advocacy Campaign, Best Crisis Communication in Private Organisations, Best Crisis Communication in Government, Best Public Affairs Campaign, Youth Impact Award for Social Change, Outstanding Influencer Collaboration, and Best Use of Content Marketing.
Categories in the Sector Excellence Awards include Excellence in Public Service Digital Campaign, Digital PR Excellence in Telecom Services, Digital PR Excellence in Financial Services, and Sustainability and ESG Communication Excellence.
The Innovation and Technology Awards category include Innovative Use of Technology in PR, Best Digital Engagement with Citizens, Outstanding Digital Customer Experience, and Creative Use of Short-Form Video in PR. The Individual and Professional Excellence Awards include Emerging Digital PR Professional of the Year and Digital PR Professional of the Year.
A District Court in Finland has handed down a six-year prison sentence to Simon Ekpa, a self-declared leader of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, following his conviction on terrorism-related charges.
Ekpa was arrested on November 21, 2024, by the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), triggering a broad inquiry into his alleged activities, including incitement of violence via social media and involvement in unrest across Nigeria’s southeastern region.
According to the court ruling, Ekpa was found guilty of public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent and for supporting a terrorist organization. His conduct, which spanned from August 2021 to November 2024, included the provision of weapons, explosives, and ammunition to armed groups, along with using his social media platforms to mobilize violence.
Adding to his conviction, Ekpa was found guilty of aggravated tax fraud and violations of attorneys’ regulations, further compounding the severity of the charges.
This verdict marks a significant move by Finnish and international authorities to counter separatist agitation linked to the Biafra independence movement, underscoring the criminality of inciting violence across borders.
In the light of recent insinuations, half-truths and fake information being circulated, we find it expedient to make it abundantly clear that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has been guided, at all times, by the principles of fairness, justice, and equity in the distribution of federal government projects, appointments, and opportunities across all six geopolitical zones of our country.
Contrary to the perception being pushed in some quarters, this administration has demonstrated uncommon commitment to balanced development and inclusivity since assuming office.
The distribution of capital projects under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is equitable. No region is playing a second fiddle or ignored. In addition to projects by various Ministries, Departments and Agencies, all six regions now have Regional Development Commissions to re-kickstart development efforts.
While the Coastal Highway courses through the South, the Badagry–Sokoto Highway, under construction, traverses majorly the North. This sense of balance runs through all the major infrastructure projects being implemented today.
Major infrastructural interventions are simultaneously ongoing across the federation—from highways and bridges to rail and power projects.
The administration has secured funding for light rail projects in Kano and Kaduna states to the tune of ₦150 billion and ₦100 billion, respectively.
The metroline projects in Lagos and Ogun States form part of the government’s effort to develop Nigeria’s light rail infrastructure. Collectively, these projects are expected to create over 250,000 jobs nationwide.
There is also a renewed push for the rehabilitation of the Eastern Corridor of the rail line from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri. In addition, over 1,000 primary health care centres have been rehabilitated across the country, underscoring the administration’s commitment to human capital and social infrastructure.
From verifiable data, the actual distribution of projects shows the Northwest as the biggest beneficiary:
• Northwest: ₦5.97 trillion (over 40% of approvals)
• South South: ₦2.41 trillion
• North Central: ₦1.13 trillion
• South East: ₦407 billion
• North East: ₦400 billion
• South West (excluding Lagos): ₦604 billion
Legacy Road Projects under President Tinubu:
1. Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway (750 km): 175 km ongoing in Lagos, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom States.
2. Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway (1,068 km): 378 km ongoing in Kebbi and Sokoto sections.
3. Trans-Sahara Highway (465 km): 118 km ongoing in Ebonyi State.
4. Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe Road (439 km): Being redesigned from flexible to rigid pavement for durability.
Out of the total length of these projects, the North accounts for 52% and the South for 48%.
Other Major Projects in the North:
• Sokoto–Gusau–Funtua–Zaria Road (275 km dualised, ₦824bn).
• Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Road (350 km dualised, ₦764bn).
• BUA Tax Credit Road in Jigawa, Katsina, Kano (256 km dualised).
• Zaria–Hunkuyi Road (156 km).
• Kano Northern Bypass (49 km).
• Kano–Maiduguri Road (100.9 km).
• Bama and Dikwa Roads in Borno (100 km).
• Damaturu–Maiduguri Road (110 km).
• Malando Road in Kebbi (76 km).
• Benue–9th Mile Road (250 km dualised, $958m).
• Lokoja–Okene Dualisation (86 km).
• Kaduna–Katsina Roads (Sections 1 and 2, ₦150bn).
Major Projects in the South:
• Lagos–Ibadan (8.5 km, ₦33bn).
• Lagos–Sagamu (12 km dualised).
• Oyo–Ogbomoso–Ilorin (₦146bn).
• Rehabilitation of Carter, Third Mainland, and Eko Bridges (₦120bn).
South East:
• Enugu–Onitsha Road (107 km, ₦202bn via MTN Tax Credit).
• Enugu–Onitsha Road (72 km, ₦150bn via CBC).
• Enugu–Abakaliki Road (36 km).
• 2nd Niger Bridge Access Road (17.5 km dualised, ₦175bn).
• Lokpanta–Enugu Road (61 km dualised, ₦100bn).
South South:
• Eleme–Onne Road (30 km, ₦156bn).
• Eket Bypass (9.7 km dualised, ₦76bn).
• East–West Road Section 2 (₦186bn).
• Nembe–Brass Road (₦150bn).
• Lokoja–Benin Dualisation (₦167bn).
• 2nd Niger Bridge Access Road in Delta (17 km dualised, ₦146bn).
• Bodo–Bonny Road in Rivers (35 km with 12 bridges, ₦200bn).
Beyond roads and rail, this administration has also revived the 255MW Kaduna Power Plant, advanced the AKK Gas Project, and expanded oil and gas exploration in the North with the drilling of three oil wells in the Kolmani region of Bauchi and Gombe States. Kano-Maradi rail line, inherited at 5% has received huge funding support from the government making it attain 67% within a short time.
President Tinubu is building national infrastructure, not local trophies. Lagos is rightly upgraded as Nigeria’s commercial hub, but the Northwest holds the lion’s share of approvals. This proves that all regions are receiving fair consideration.
Equity is also evident in federal appointments. President Tinubu has consistently appointed capable Nigerians from every part of the country, guided by competence and inclusivity rather than sectional considerations.
Inclusivity lies at the heart of the Renewed Hope Agenda. The establishment of five new Regional Development Commissions and the creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development further illustrate the President’s determination to address Nigeria’s unique developmental needs in a manner that benefits all sections of the country.
On the whole, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has not only kept faith with Nigerians but has proven himself to be a fair, pragmatic, and consequential reformer.
His leadership is inclusive, his vision is unifying, and his commitment to equity and justice is unwavering.
Nigerians can rest assured that under his watch, no part of this country will be left behind.
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