After two previous attempts, Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha last week put back on track his presidential dream, urging the electorate to evaluate the second term ambitions of serving governors within the context of performance. He spoke in Owerri, the state capital, on Tuesday while hosting a team from The Sun Publishing Company Limited, publishers of The Sun titles. The team comprised the Managing Director/ Editor-In Chief, Mr. Tony Onyima, Daily Editor, Mr. Steve Nwosu, Political Editor, Mr. Chidi Obineche, and the South-east Bureau Chief, Mr. Chidi Nnadi.

Okorocha said he would use his current position as a launch pad, because “I am here to demonstrate my vision and leadership skills.” Stretching further his desire for the presidential diadem, Okorocha, who described himself as an unconventional governor said: “If I am going to contest for president in 2015, then my one term ends. If I am going to contest for president in 2019, then it is better to face what I am doing. But the truth is that my ambition to run for the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not cancelled.” He criticised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for not putting performance as a benchmark in the quest for second term by public office holders.

“I remember that the issue of second term is not a right for anyone who has been a governor. Whether you have done well or not, you’re entitled to a second term. Let whatever you have done speak for you. I have argued that with the leaders of the PDP. It is wrong.” The governor, who is of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), also relieved his ordeal when he was a member of the PDP. He accused the PDP of failing him at critical points in his political career, and lacking the basic tenets of internal democracy; vowing not to ever have anything to do with the party again.

“Through all my political life, PDP has failed me. First, I wanted to be governor under the PDP. It was taken away from me. I wanted to be a senator, I went under PDP and won, but they denied me the ticket. I came to run for president under the PDP, and I came second. Then, I wanted to be the national chairman, it was not possible. I wouldn’t have achieved my political ambition under PDP. If I had gone for the governorship under PDP in 2011, Ohakim would have stopped me at the primary. That’s to tell you my odyssey in PDP. I have paid my dues in PDP, thinking that the PDP has internal democracy. The party has a problem of internal democracy.”

He declared his intention to reposition APGA as a strong national party with vision. Although, he acknowledged his newness on the platform, he said the current crisis plaguing it was not as much the issue as the loss of vision and communication. Restating its vision, he said: “If it is just an addendum to the PDP, then it is not growing. Our vision for it is to make it a strong national platform, completely independent with its roots in Igbo land; we can quickly reach out and be strong in other parts of the country.

“We are going to strengthen the party, reorganize it. The issue of leadership is even an infinitesimal part of the problem as compared with vision. Yesterday, every Igboman believes APGA is their party. You can’t win election in the South-east without their support.” On the challenge of running the affairs of Imo state, he said it was daunting but surmountable, saying he met a state that was not doing well, with poverty, debts, lack of trust, corruption and deceit dotting the landscape.

http://sunnewsonline.com/article/i-%E2%80%99ll-still-be-president-%E2%80%93-rochas-okorocha

there is nothing wrong with dreaming

i dont think he is only dreaming but working towards it..depends on how he handles imo state...so far so good though

I know this man gat plans.mayb 2015

I wish him good luck. But in this present Nigeria politics, it's not about how hard working you are but you knowing the right people.

of NFF?

It is not impossible if he keeps up his good deeds.

Super1759: I know this man gat plans.mayb 2015

[size=16pt]Maybe in future but not 2015.[/size]

see person wey wan run wen him never begin walk...
okah nah...we go dey here dey look!

I think he is currently the best candidate of ndiigbo. that's if this Nigerian project is not dismantled.

Irrespective he's not from my tribe and faith...I will gladly vote for Rochas...he's living for people..he's a hero

This guy should forget presidency in 2015 and focus on an all-round improvement and development of his state. I only hear of his exploits in the education sector. What of roads,jobs creation,worker's working condition? Work on your state and leave PEOPLES DESTRUCTIVE PARTY and ACN/CPC Alliance to fight for 2015 presidency.You got leadership quality though so do GEJ.We dont need a good leader but fearless one unlike Mr dummy GEJ

Impossibility exist only in d dictionary of a fool...keep the good work goin and hopefully u wil get dere sumday....

Lets wait and see. 2015 no far again

Most people in Imo are not talking good of him. He has performed within one yr in office. But he talks too much .

I told y'all that this man and Oshiomole will be back to the PDP. He knows what he is saying. He knows he can't be president under APGA or ACN or CPC. I said it long ago before the 2011 elections that this man just needed to join APGA to unseat Ohakim since Ohakim won't let him go past the primaries.

He is wrong on one one thing though. Its not just the PDP internal democracy that denied him the governorship ticket. Its the electoral act and the governors have been fighting against any change that will ensure a level playing field. It has to be modified to allow a level playing field. The incubent governors are too powerful.

I have said it also that the most performing governors will always be 1. Those that have big future ambitions and 2. Those who have very strong oppositions in their state.

in his dreams

Trust Me, Nigerians would never allow this man be president...I mean even with his good works half his state hate him, trust me, I served in imo state...Am not saying he's not trying, the hell he is way better than ''let's do More'' ikedi ohakim, just that he's methods are allienic. Anyways in my opinion Oshiomole stands better chance if he ever wishes to go down that road...

Kolade9: of NFF?

... Lwkmd, he z a gud leader nigeria needz bt d fact z dat i dnt see an igbo man rulin nigeria... God help igbos

Kolade9: of NFF?

has not cordinated his state well talking about our great nation...Mstcheeew

maryjames9: This guy should forget presidency in 2015 and focus on an all-round improvement and development of his state. I only hear of his exploits in the education sector. What of roads,jobs creation,worker's working condition? Work on your state and leave PEOPLES DESTRUCTIVE PARTY and ACN/CPC Alliance to fight for 2015 presidency.You got leadership quality though so do GEJ.We dont need a good leader but fearless one unlike Mr dummy GEJ

jealousy run in ur blood

Neoviper147:
[size=16pt]Maybe in future but not 2015.[/size]

...remember he told imolites dat he wil jus be a gov for one tenur.so with all this his plans,don't you think he is eyeing 2015?

I dae laugh in bokoharam style

chuks01: i dont think he is only dreaming but working towards it..depends on how he handles imo state...so far so good though

Thank Ɣ☺Ʊ for that comment. To be candid abt τ̲̣̣̥н̣̣̣̝̇̇̇i§̤̥̈̊, τ̲̣̣̥н̣̣̣̝̇̇̇ε̲̣̣̣̥ guy has tried. So far so ƍöôϑ and H̲̅€ should try to sustain it

[size=15pt]WHERE IS THE FREE UNIVERSITY HE PROMISED?[/size]

U gat my support and my vote only if de PDP virus does not infect U b4 den.

Hopefully.

tonymariao: has not cordinated his state well talking about our great nation...Mstcheeew

...what do you mean by that.who is complaining unlike abia and other states..nonsense talk

he has not cordinated Imo well begin dream again...Mstcheeew

Ride on! By God's grace u wil be there. Nobody can stop u

rochas nothing do u