The Imo State Government has launched a fresh attack on former governor Rochas Okorocha, questioning his political relevance in the state and criticising his record in office amid the dispute over the Imo West senatorial ticket.
Collins Opurozor, Special Adviser to Governor Hope Uzodimma on Electronic and Creative Media, made the remarks during an appearance on Arise News on Saturday, October 31, 2026.
Reacting to the legal tussle surrounding the Imo West senatorial ticket, Opurozor questioned Okorocha’s political connection with the people of Imo State, particularly his reported membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja while seeking to represent Imo West in the Senate.
He argued that political authority depends on the acceptance of the people and claimed that Okorocha no longer enjoys sufficient grassroots recognition in the state.
Opurozor said:
“You know one thing about authority: he belongs where the people believe he belongs. You [Rochas Okorocha] say you are a member of APC in Abuja yet you are running for senate in Imo West; people do not know you, and we need to trace the genesis of this whole debacle.”
Uzodimma’s aide criticises Okorocha’s administration
The governor’s aide also launched a strong criticism of Okorocha’s eight-year administration in Imo State, making unfavourable comparisons between his record and those of other governors.
Opurozor described Okorocha’s performance in office as one of the worst in modern governance.
He said:
“So Rochas Okorocha when he was governor of Imo State posted some of the worst achievement you can ever talk about in modern governance, not even compared to that of Hope Uzodimma, compared to that of any worst governor you can think of in the history of this country.”
The remarks represent the Imo State Government aide’s assessment of the former governor’s record and were made amid the continuing political disagreement between the two camps.
Dispute over Imo West senatorial ticket
The comments came against the backdrop of a legal tussle over the Imo West senatorial ticket involving Okorocha.
Opurozor questioned the former governor’s political standing in the state and challenged the circumstances surrounding his bid to represent the senatorial district.
The dispute has brought renewed attention to the political relationship between Okorocha and the administration of Governor Uzodimma.
Okorocha, a former governor and former senator representing Imo West, remains a prominent figure in the state’s political landscape.
The latest exchange adds another dimension to the disagreement, with the governor’s aide questioning both Okorocha’s grassroots support and his record as governor.
Further details of the legal dispute, including the specific court proceedings and the parties’ respective positions, were not provided in the remarks cited in this report.
