Ex-Imo State State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has refuted speculations making the rounds that he plans to leave the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Okorocha was reacting to a recent report, which claimed he described the APC as a party “desperate to hijack power”. He denied ever making such a statement.

The former lawmaker, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Sam Onwuemeodo, described the report as a fabrication by those threatened by his political influence.

Okorocha questioned how he could make such a statement about a party he helped to establish; one that has held federal power since 2015.

Parts of the statement read, “Almost eight years after leaving office as Executive Governor of Imo State, and several years after serving as Senator representing Imo West, those with a phobia of Rochas Okorocha still cannot sleep with their two eyes closed.

“For days now, they have circulated a fake story on social media, falsely quoting me as saying: ‘APC is no longer a political party but a party desperate to hijack power at all costs. I am at the corner looking at them — Senator Rochas Okorocha.’

“Okorocha would never describe a party that has been in government since 2015, and still counting, as ‘desperate to hijack power.’ What power again?”

The former governor said that he was the only sitting governor from the South-East who joined the APC during its formation, risking his re-election in 2015 at a time when the party had little support in the region.

“Okorocha took a political risk when major South-East leaders doubted the viability of the APC. He was ridiculed for his decision, yet he stayed committed.

“It’s important to recall that, due to his dedication, he was unanimously elected by fellow APC governors as the pioneer Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, which he helped to build into a strong force,” the statement added.

The statement stressed that if Okorocha had any concerns about the party, he would not express them in a “badly written social media post” but would address them openly, as is consistent with his political style.