Issues in Okorocha’s continued power-game, fight with aides

Last Thursday, Governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha used the occassion of his media chat to update Imo people on the happenings in the state in the last four months, especially, the scuffle with his former deputy and power-game, among others. CHIIDIEBERE IWUOHA reports
Impeachment of Madumere He was truly impeached according to the rules. But he went to court asking that the new Deputy Governor should not be sworn in because of the way it was done. We decided to obey the law. Calistus Ekenze has been nominated as his replacement. We are waiting for the injunction to be vacated after which we will swear him in. Fight with political foes like Ohakim, Uzodinma, Izunaso, Ararume and Uwajumogu Governor Okorocha described erstwhile Governor, Sir Ikedi Ohakim and Chief Hope Uzodinma as people without known addresses. He warned Imo people not to waste their time trying to vote for them. He specifically said Ohakim would be coming back to loot the treasury if given an opportunity, while Uzodinma would be coming to apply in his own word “wayo” in governance. He dismissed Senator Ben Uwajumogu in his popular statement “suffering from iberiberism”, while describing Izunaso as a self centred person and Ararume full of hatred. Imo workers’ salaries He said that the government has decided to stop the 20% or 30% cut in salaries of Imo workers but would embark on harmonization of the salary structure. He frowned at the practice by some accountants who keep workers’ salaries for months before they pay and get interest in the process. He said he had paid June salary but that that of July and August would be coming at the same time. He reiterated that embargo on promotion had been lifted but that the parastatals would not be included. Regularization of pensions He said pensions had dropped from 1. 5 to 700,000 as it was discovered that some people were paid even though they were not around. “Pensions, I accept, have been one of my biggest problems. I would not allow my successor to go through what I have passed through.” President’s visit Okorocha disclosed that President Buhari will be visiting the state in a month’s time and that he might be travelling with him to China in the same month, adding that it was being worked out to avoid a clash because he would be coming to commission some projects like the Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport, Community Government Council office, Justice Oputa Court complex, new Police and Prisons headquarters, Okigwe General Hospital, Okigwe Township Stadium, Imo State University College of Engineering at Onuimo, College of Health Technology, Eastern Palm University etc. APC Primaries “Very soon we will be having APC Primaries for all card carrying members of the party, instead of delegates primaries. We have qualified people in our camp. No 1, Uche Nwosu. Before, an issue was raised about his candidature. But I have not seen what wrong Uche has done. Nobody has told me. My advice is that Uche should be a man. He should not be castrated. He has made a remarkable progress so far. On free education He said that no fees are charged at the Imo State University or in any of the state’s higher institutions contrary to speculations. But that the government wants to withdraw the scholarship being given to anybody who does not make a certain grade or GPA in his result. Still on Education, he said that Ahiara Polytechnic and that of Arondizuogu would take off by next year and disclosed that Eastern Palm University had been recognized by National Universities Commission(NUC). Industry “Power has been my problem in actualizing Factory! Factory! Factory! Job! Job! Job! policy. I have been putting in order Ohaji Power Plant. When it is done, there will be no going back.” On the N3 million expected from each community to enable the government construct a factory for them, the Governor said that the money does not go to government coffers but stays with the communities and government makes its own counterpart contribution with N6 million to enable the community put up a project of their choice. Igbo presidency He made it clear that an Igbo man that wants to become president should not depend on votes from South East alone but other geo-political zones. He said without mincing words that he stood a better chance than any other person from the zone to make it to Aso Rock. On APC factional group (Coalition) Governor Okorocha said the Coalition Forces or Allied Forces, the opposing faction of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in the state has come to an end because what they are looking for, they cannot get it. On defection of APC members to PDP He said that the current defection is like the one that happened some years back. He described it as a matter of interest and not that they are unhappy with APC. “They feel that they cannot achieve their objectives with APC. APC is not in crisis. It is a sound, united party. We hold the president in high esteem and we don’t see a better candidate. Definitely, he will win in 2019. In the South East, we want to make sure that we are not found wanting as was the case in 2015, when we had all our eggs in one basket (PDP). We will make sure Buhari records massive votes in the 2019 elections.” Okorocha continued: “The South East is now for Buhari. We are going to play the right politics. As things are, we are going to work hard to get South East votes. Two South East Governors will join APC before the next election. It is for them to decide when it will be.” Invasion of National Assembly by DSS He simply said, “We have never had it so bad. Some people took immunity and sincerity of purpose for granted”. Permanent voter card (PVC) He has declared Wednesday and Thursday as public holidays to enable Imo people go for collection of their PVCs. He said in order to make the exercise successful, all markets and shops should remain closed till 4PM on those days. Following this development, he announced that he would be meeting with the Imo State Resident Electoral Commissioner(REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), traditional rulers and other relevant bodies before that time. The governor expressed dissatisfaction over the number of PVCs yet to be collected by Imo people and insisted that something must be done to correct the anomaly. Okorocha’s end of tenure The governor’s tenure will be ending by May 29,2019, the same day he would be handing over to his successor. He has reassured Imo people that he would fulfill all the promises made to them before the end of his administration.