The All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) Imo State Chapter has raised an alarm over an alleged plot by the Presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to unseat Governor Rochas Okorocha and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Benjamin Uwajumogu.

The alarm was contained in a statement issued in Owerri, the state capital, and signed by the state APGA Chairman, Prince Marshal Okafor Anyanwu.

The statement, a copy of which was made available to News Express, was entitled “Plot to unseat Gov. Okorocha, Imo Speaker.” It said as follows:

“The attention of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) Imo State has been drawn to the recent plot by the Presidency and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to distort the activities of the Imo State House of Assembly, promote disaffection in the ranks of the state government and if possible execute the long conceived agenda of impeaching the Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Benjamin Uwajumogu, and Gov. Owelle Rochas Okorocha.

“This ill-conceived move is not unconnected to the ongoing investigation by the state legislature over allegation of financial gratification leveled against the Deputy Governor, Sir Jude Agbaso, by one of the major contractors handling the state government road projects.

“Recall that His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, a few days suspended his overseas trip to intervene when events as regards to this subject matter almost assumed a very negative direction.

“We are therefore surprised with the way and manner the Presidency and national leadership of the PDP unexpectedly showed interest in the matter and subsequently declared support for the Deputy Governor, Sir Jude Agbaso, who is not a member of the PDP.

“However, we gathered that the 12 PDP lawmakers in the state legislature were summoned to Abuja a few days ago, met with the national chairman of the party and its Board of Trustees Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and Chief Tony Anenih, at Nicon Hilton where the lawmakers were told in clear terms not to participate in the ongoing investigation on corrupt allegation against the Deputy Governor.

“According to our source, this position is an aftermath of Chief Martin Agbaso’s recent deal with the PDP. The senior Agbaso had as part of the clandestine moves to save his younger brother, struck a deal with the PDP promising to remain in APGA as against his earlier intention to join the All Progressive Congress (APC). He also pledged to work for the PDP presidential candidate in 2015 which President Goodluck is favoured to pick.

“The lawmakers, our source further hinted, also met with the Political Adviser to the President, Alhaji Ali Gulak, and National Vice Chairman of PDP, South East, Col. Akobundu (Rtd), in another location also in Abuja and were mandated to support to the Deputy Governor even if he is found guilty of the allegation. They were also ordered to strategise and actualise the impeachment of the Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Uwajumogu, and Gov. Owelle Rochas Okorocha as both are perceived to be their problem and not the Deputy Governor. The PDP lawmakers who could not meet with Mr. President as earlier scheduled were said to have been settled with 50,000 dollars each.

“In view of the above, we wish to warn against any form of invasion in the affairs of the APGA-led state government and will definitely end at nothing to resist any plot hatched to destabilise the state by any group or individual.

“We also support the ongoing investigation by the Imo State House of Assembly which obviously is in tandem with the zero-corruption disposition of Gov. Okorocha-led administration.”

•Photo: Governor Okorocha.