Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, this morning broke his silence on why he decided to pitch tent with the All Progressives Congress (APC), a move which has polarised his party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

The governor said he took the decision because the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of which he was a founding member has disappointed the people of the South East and Nigerians in general.

Okorocha, who was addressing newsmen in the Government House Owerri, however said he had nothing against President Goodluck Jonathan but his party the PDP.

“There is need for a better change. Nigerians are tired of Peoples Democratic Party, which is no longer what it used to be after failing to address the needs of Nigerians,” he said.

Declaring his interest and support for the merger and the newly formed APC, Governor Okorocha described the political party as a child of necessity, capable of providing the much needed change in the South East geo-political zone.

He promised to win the South East for APC, asserting that the party would be good for democracy, as well as for the Nigerian people.

Governor Okorocha recalled that the nation had been longing for a coalition of parties so as to have two strong parties, a development which he said would enable Nigerians to strike a balance in governance. He assured that APC would promote internal democracy since it does not support imposition of candidates.

The Imo helmsman expressed the opinion that if the country must have all-round development at the state and local government levels, people in the rural communities must be allowed to partake in decisions on affairs that concern them.

To this end, he identified community government (CGC) as the way forward, pointing out that although its introduction in the state has received criticisms and lots of challenges, his administration is not deterred from making a success of it.

The governor assured that his administration is on course to deliver democracy dividends to the people of the state as promised during his electioneering campaigns.

He made reference to the achievements of his government, among them 305 school projects on-going in the electoral wards, 27 general hospital projects, 1,000km of roads and dualisation of Anara-Okigwe road, Airport Road, and Owerri-Orlu roads.

Meanwhile, Okorocha has sworn-in the newly appointed State Head of Service, Mrs. Nkechi Scholastica Onumajuru. Performing the swearing-in ceremony at the Imo State Expanded Exco Chambers, Government House Owerri, Governor Okorocha said he was optimistic that in her time, civil servants would give a quality service delivery. He pointed out that civil service is the pivot on which activities of the government are steered.

The governor congratulated Mrs. Onumajuru for her well deserved appointment, noting that she merited the post having worked for it. He however regretted that she has a little time to stay in service but wished her well in her career for the few months she has to stay.

Responding, Mrs. Onumajuru thanked Governor Okorocha for the appointment and pledged her commitment and loyalty to work, promising not to betray the confidence reposed in her.

•Photo: Governor Okorocha swearing in the new Imo State Head of Service, Mrs. Nkechi Scholastica Onumajuru.

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