Shortly after being declared the winner of the Imo governorship elections, Rochas Okorocha made a statement which could be interpreted as a call for a truce, demonstrating that he is a bridge builder.
Okorocha made the call on Saturday, April 25, 2015 while speaking at a thanksgiving service held at the Government House Chapel, Owerri, the capital of the Imo.
“I dedicate my victory at the polls to the entire Imo people. They are the main victors as they had stood by me in the last four years and never wavered in their support for my administration,” the Owelle said.
“I have redeemed my campaign promises. Now, my people can enjoy free education. Kidnapping is now a thing of the past. Now, it is time for job creation, establishment of industries and employment for the unemployed.”
“I suffered a lot of campaign of calumny and hate speeches from my opponents but one thing they would never say is that I did not work. Now, I am the Governor of the APC, APGA and PDP. So, I call on them to join hands with me to build this state.”
This magnanimous declaration is a departure from the character of his party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) in this election season.
Okorocha who ran for his first term on the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), was also a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member. He has in the past run for President a PDP primaries and also ran for the ticket of President under the APC in 2015. He lost to General Buhari who went on to win the general elections.
