Former Governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha, declared his intention to run for president in 2023 under the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, recently. However, considering the different noticeable factors currently militating against his bid; both within the Southeast and beyond; one would wonder if the former governor stood any chance at all at getting the party’s ticket in 2023.

Visibly, Okorocha’s candidature appears to be riddled with some critical flaws which present him as an unlikely favorite for the presidency at the moment. One of these flaws revolves around his issues with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Just recently, the news that the EFCC has filed N2.9billion fraud charges against the former governor surfaced. Although Okorocha has described these charges as politically motivated, they may, however, have serious consequences on his image and general suitability as a candidate for the presidency. One thing remains clear; it is hard to see how Okorocha will succeed towards 2023, with these corruption charges hanging over him.

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More so, another problem for Okorocha presidential bid centers on the visible hostility to his bid in some quarters within the Southeast, as well as his controversial feud with the current governor of Imo state, Hope Uzodinma. As things stand, there is the believe that his bid is an affront on the region’s integrity. In other words, the former governor’s bid is not in the best interest of the region. This lack of support is not helped either by his long standing feud with the current Governor of his home state, Hope Uzodinma.

Considering that the governor of Ebonyi state, David Umahi is in the race for the party’s ticket from the Southeast, not having the support of his home state governor and other stakeholders within the region appear to be a major setback for Okorocha’s presidency bid ahead of 2023.

Nevertheless, will Okorocha be able to clear his name from the fraud charges, solicit the needed support within and outside the Southeast before 2023? As things stand at the moment, this may be an almost impossible task.