The Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, has cleared the air on being a son of the late Gbong Gwom of Jos, Fom Bot.

The Governor has been addressed as Okoroawusa (Okoro-Hausa) in some quarters, something he said doesn’t make him feel bad.

Speaking with Vanguard on why people feel he is from the North and governs Imo State as an intruder, Okorocha explained that his parents were from Imo.

He said, however, that he was brought up in the North where he was also educated.

Asked if he was a prince of the Jos ruling house, the governor said, “I think I am one of the most misunderstood Nigerians nowadays.

“It makes me laugh. I enjoy it, you know why? People do not face the real issues. You know too well where I come from. I am from this state. But I was brought up in the North.

“The North gave me childhood, gave me education. I was born here. My parents were Igbo. They went to the North in search of greener pasture. I was brought up there. But when I went into business it was my contact with the West that made me what I am in business.

“I claim, and I know, that I am a successful businessman. I cannot afford to hate the North or hate my people. Whatever they want to call me – Okoroawusa, Okoroyoruba or Okoroigbo – I don’t care because it does not affect my identity.

“Out of the 15,000 children I have, about 7,000 of them are Muslims. These are my children. They have become members of my family. I can’t love them and reject their religions.

“These are statements from my political opponents who want to portray me differently to make me look like a jester or a joker.”

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Gov. Rochas Okorocha speaks on being son of Gbong Gwom Jos