N1bn released for my recall would’ve paid salaries, pensioners, Okorocha tells Uzodimma

…Stop provoking Imolites, face your recall- Imo govt

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Rochas Okorocha, the Senator representing Imo West in the Senate has reminded Gov. Hope Uzodinma that he would have used the N1billion he has allegedly paid for his recall to offset workers salary and pension arrears.

Okorocha who described the recall on him from the Senate by a group called Orlu Political Consecutive Assembly(OPOCA), as an acting of “political undertaking”.

Okorocha

Speaking through his media aid, Sam Onwuemeodo,
in Owerri, he said the group were behind the recall move, that they have been in this act of mischief in the state far back from the days of Arthur Nzeribe and Udenwa as governor and even in his own time.

Okorocha who left office as Imo State governor in May 2019 advised the governor to pay attention to increasing insecurity in the state and desist from using groups in the state as willing tools in his war of attrition.

The ex governor restated that his political relevance could not be watered down by the state government officials no matter how hard they tried.

The statement partly read, “A group known as Orlu Political Consultative Assembly, OPOCA, has told its audience that it was going to recall the Senator, Representing Imo West Senatorial District, Owelle Rochas Okorocha from the Senate and for whatever is their reason.

“We would have ignored the “adult delinquents”, but for those who might not know the history or story of the elements behind OPOCA, we have decided to react accordingly.

“Those behind OPOCA are Political undertakers who glory in absurdities, simply to enlarge their coast or make their leaking pockets fat. And not just for any meaningful venture, but for leisure and pleasure.

“For those who do not know the group, the characters in OPOCA were the same people who carried the mock coffin of Chief Arthur Nzeribe when he was in the Senate and they did that to please Chief Achike Udenwa, who was governor then.

Arthur Nzeribe

“They were also the same group that confined Chief Achike Udenwa to their Hall of shame. They did that to please Chief Ikedi Ohakim who was governor then.

“In 2015, the same group wrote petition to the Inspector General of Police against Chief Hope Uzodinma alleging assault. They did that to please Rochas Okorocha who was governor then and they had done that, thinking that Okorocha would make them commissioners. But Okorocha was not interested in the group using him to fight anybody. He rather appointed two of them Special Advisers.

“Chief Samfo Nwankwo, may his soul rest in peace, had died, but Chief Anunobi, out of anger, decided to join forces with those who had gathered against Okorocha. And that was how he declared to run for the position of the National Publicity Secretary of the APC at the last Convention of the party against Barr. Emma Ibediro who had the backing of Okorocha.

Achike Udenwa former Governor, Imo State

“Today, he is commissioner in Uzodinma’s government and unlike Owelle Okorocha, governor Uzodinma has found the remaining members of the group willing tools to continue to prosecute his war of attrition against Okorocha.

“We have heard that they have been given N1 billion for the recall gimmick. Our only advice is that the governor should use the money to help in paying workers, teachers, pensioners and so on, who have not been paid for several months and there is no sign all the end of the tunnel.

“We are also worried that with the deteriorated security situation in the state, some people with the backing of the state government, would be engaging in activities that would further submerge the security situation in the State.

“It is our candid position that the government should not drag traditional rulers into messy political outings. Under governor Uzodinma, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Christian Association of Nigeria, Pensioners Association, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Nigeria Labour Congress, have all been destroyed. Now, the traditional institution. All these do not speak well of the administration.”

Responding on the allegation of insighting certing groups in the state against Okorocha, the Special Assistant on Print Media, to Gov Uzodinma, Modestus Nwamkpa, cautioned Okorocha to desist from involving his principal in his recall ordeal.

The SA said that the governor need not such destraction now as he is committed to developing the state, stating, “Okorocha should stop provoking Imo people. The governor is very busy with issues of governance and it is important Okorocha deals his recall ordeal without mentioning our hard working governor.”