Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has called on the political leaders in the state to refrain from playing localised politics without considering the effect in national politics.

He gave the advice while interacting with stakeholders and political leaders in the state at the Government House Owerri.

Okorocha maintained that greater emphasis should be placed on the general interest of the public rather than personal gain in the choice of political leaning. He declared out that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not the best choice for the South-East as it has systematically made Ndi-Igbo the minority in the country.

The governor regretted that the South-East has never had her due share in terms of federal projects and appointments irrespective of her contributions to the PDP. He, therefore, called on Imo leaders to re-align to the All Progressive Congress (APC) which, he said, would give Ndi-Igbo the chances of producing the president. “If other major tribes have produced the president, why can’t Ndi-Igbo?” Okorocha queried.

He appealed to the political leaders to lay emphasis on the quality of persons in their choice of governors of the state rather than on the zoning formula. His words: “Let he that can deliver the dividends of democracy rule, irrespective of his zone.”

Okorocha noted that it is only a man with great vision that can bring about change and urged Imo leaders to continue to place the state on the path of positive change by allowing the will of the masses to prevail during elections.

The governor used the occasion to call on the leaders to support the Imo Community Government Councils (CGC) which he said would give the grassroots a feel of government as well as promote agriculture especially palm production the state. He attributed the apparent poverty experienced in Igbo land today to the neglect of the palm tree and its produce and urged all to embrace palm production for income and wealth creation in the state.

In his speech, APC National Organising Secretary, Chief Osita Izunaso, observed that in the political history of the nation, the South-East has remained the only zone that has continued to move backwards in terms of political positions. He urged Imo leaders to reposition to a party that has their interest to heart.

Contributing, Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Uwajumogu, said the neglect and lack of federal government presence in the South-East is a clear signal for Ndi-Igbo to redress their steps and join the move for greater recognition.

Chief Marcellenus Nlemigbo, a former chairman of PDP and the convener of the meeting, said it became necessary to keep Imo people abreast of the political marginalisation of Ndi-Igbo in the present dispensation and explain the need to move to a right and better direction. He commended Governor Okorocha for taking the bold step and called on Imo leaders to embrace the change.

•Photo shows Governor Okorocha.