Orji stops Okorocha’s birthday reception in Abia

From GEORGE ONYEJIUWA, Owerri
The proposed civic reception in honour of Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, billed to hold today in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia State, has been stopped on the orders of the state governor, Theodore Orji.
Abia governor who alleged that the reception was a ploy to launch the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state stopped the reception organised by rescue missionaries to mark the 51 birthday of Okorocha.
According to one of the organisers who pleaded anonymity, “all arrangements have been concluded for today’s event to mark our governor’s (Okorocha) birthday, scheduled to hold at Abia State Polytechnic, we have paid for the venue and obtained police permit but suddenly Governor Orji ordered that it should not be held on the soil of Abia”.
Saturday Sun gathered that the sudden cancellation of the birthday reception by Abia State governor might not be unconnected with the strained relationship between the duo.
It was equally learnt Governor Orji also instructed the police not to permit any gathering in the state in whatever guise as long as it has to do with the Imo State governor.
When contacted the deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Chinedu Offor, said that they were not aware why the reception was stopped, adding that it was not a political rally but a religious affair.
According to him, “our brothers and other progressive minded people in Abia State felt that since the governor had been hosted in the South West, they felt they also should felicitate with him, so I don’t see anything wrong with that”.
However efforts to reach the Chief Press Secretary to Abia State Governor, proved abortive, as his phone was not responding.