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Tag: Ohakim

  • Okorocha slams Ohakim, charges predecessor to show achievements in office

    Okorocha slams Ohakim, charges predecessor to show achievements in office

    IMO State governor, Rochas Okorocha, yesterday challenged his predecessor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim to publish his achievements in office. The governor who was reacting to Ohakim’s claim that his administration owes judges in the state 16 months salary, said that the former governor did not run an organized government and could not know that the salaries of judges are not paid by the state government. The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, in a statement made available to journalists, stated: “Chief Ikedi Ohakim was reported to have announced his desire to contest the 2019 governorship election in the state at a press conference.

    “While doing that, he never deemed it necessary to tell his guests one achievement his administration recorded while he held sway as the governor of the state, from 2007 to 2011. “Ohakim also never told those in attendance what he would do this time if elected governor again in 2019 which perhaps he didn’t have the time or resources to do when he was governor. “He accused the Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha of owing judges in the state 16months salary arrears and then threatened to go on protest naked if the salary arrears are not cleared by March. “When we read that report, we withheld our response with the feeling that the former governor must have been misquoted, and might do a refutal. He didn’t do that but rather maintained his position, occasioning this response. “We make hay to say this. If after being governor of the state for four years, the former governor didn’t know that the state government does not pay judges’ salary, then, something must have gone wrong somewhere and it is quite unfortunate.”

    The statement continued: “The National Judicial Commission (NJC) pays judges’ salaries. If the NJC handles the salary of judges, then, the former governor was either distributing falsehood or has become overwhelmed by Governor Okorocha’s achievements that he didn’t know what to say again against the governor and his administration than to resort to jokes. “we are always painstaking when handling issues concerning prominent citizens of the state like Chief Ohakim who had also governed the state, otherwise we would have made certain calls. And in any case, he didn’t run an organized government and didn’t therefore know who was paying who.

  • 2019: Ohakim on a revenge mission – Okorocha

    2019: Ohakim on a revenge mission – Okorocha

    Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, on Monday advised the people of the state to ignore the plea by his predecessor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, to be given another chance to govern the state.

    The governor insisted that Ohakim, who lost his re-election bid in 2011, is on a revenge mission and cannot be trusted with the resources of the state.

    According to him, if the former governor by any means returns to power, he will “loot the state blind” to make up for the long time he was out of power.

    He said: “I learnt that Ohakim is contesting the governorship election in 2019 but this time he is seeking for vengeance and if finds his way to power he will pack the money of the state to cover up for those years he was out of power so Imo people should not allow that to happen.

    “The governor we want is a man that will continue with what we have done because my administration has laid a solid foundation for the next governor.”

    The governor, who spoke during a media parley with journalists at the Government House, said he has deliberately refused to disclose the identity of his successor so as not to expose him to harm, adding that “if I show them my successor now, they will kill him. The politicians here are very wicked but at the right time when I disclose the identity of my successor, I will stand behind him to protect him.”

     

     

  • Obi, Ohakim disagree on leadership role in Nigeria’s crisis

    The former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has traced the problem of Nigeria to both the leaders and the followers. Obi made the remark during the presentation of the key note address at the 5th memorial lecture in honour of Prof. Celestine Onwuliri at Chris VI Hotel at Ahiara, Imo State, yesterday. Obi said that the leaders of Nigeria, all of them inclusive, had not shown passionate concern for the country. He also indicted the followers for not telling the leaders the truth even when they are on the wrong path.

    “Once somebody becomes a local government chairman, in six months, he would dedicate his new house and even bishops will preside at his thanksgiving, praying to God to bless him, even when it is obvious he has stolen the people’s money when the proper attitude would have been to shout thief, thief!”, Obi said. Lamenting the growing debt profile of the country, leading to the use of over 50% of the budgeted money for debt services and lack of savings culture, Obi called for the total re-examination and overhauling of the country’s financial architecture.

    Using the savings of many countries as an example, he submitted that if the country had saved, that it would not have experienced inflation. Disagreeing with him on the problem of leadership, the former governor of Imo State, Chief IkediOhakim, said that lack of structure and not problem of leadership or followership was the problem of the country. Using Obi as an example, he said that Nigeria had been able to produce fantastic leaders in the past. The event was chaired by Chief Paschal Dozie, while the special guest, former President, Dr. GoodluckEbele Jonathan was represented by Sen. Pius Anyim. Many other dignitaries graced the event. Prof Celestine Onwuliri was among those that died in the 2013 Dana plane crash in Lagos.

  • Obi, Ohakim disagree on leadership role in Nigeria’s crisis

    The former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has traced the problem of Nigeria to both the leaders and the followers. Obi made the remark during the presentation of the key note address at the 5th memorial lecture in honour of Prof. Celestine Onwuliri at Chris VI Hotel at Ahiara, Imo State, yesterday. Obi said that the leaders of Nigeria, all of them inclusive, had not shown passionate concern for the country. He also indicted the followers for not telling the leaders the truth even when they are on the wrong path.

    “Once somebody becomes a local government chairman, in six months, he would dedicate his new house and even bishops will preside at his thanksgiving, praying to God to bless him, even when it is obvious he has stolen the people’s money when the proper attitude would have been to shout thief, thief!”, Obi said.

    Lamenting the growing debt profile of the country, leading to the use of over 50% of the budgeted money for debt services and lack of savings culture, Obi called for the total re-examination and overhauling of the country’s financial architecture. Using the savings of many countries as an example, he submitted that if the country had saved, that it would not have experienced inflation. Disagreeing with him on the problem of leadership, the former governor of Imo State, Chief IkediOhakim, said that lack of structure and not problem of leadership or followership was the problem of the country.

    Using Obi as an example, he said that Nigeria had been able to produce fantastic leaders in the past. The event was chaired by Chief Paschal Dozie, while the special guest, former President, Dr. GoodluckEbele Jonathan was represented by Sen. Pius Anyim. Many other dignitaries graced the event. Prof Celestine Onwuliri was among those that died in the 2013 Dana plane crash in Lagos.

  • Ohakim under fire for criticising Okorocha

    Ohakim under fire for criticising Okorocha

    •’Ex-governor scheming for 2019′

    Former Imo State Governor Ikedi Ohakim has come under severe criticism over his recent letter to Governor Rochas Okorocha.

    Ohakim condemned Okorocha for dethroning a traditional ruler.

    He faulted many of the government’s policies.

    The former governor had challenged Okorocha’s administrative style on projects, saying they did not impact the lives of the people.

    But in a statement by the Chief Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, the government said:  “We have read the latest media outing against Governor Okorocha by the former Governor Ohakim, which was published in the media which he also presented as a letter to the Imo Governor.

    “In his story, the former governor, as usual, said so many things but could not fault our repeated claim that the achievements of Governor Okorocha so far have surpassed the achievements of all those who had governed the state before him put together. We have always made bold to say this and we stand to be challenged.

    “The truth is that we can no longer afford to spend our project-oriented time replying the former governor. If he meant well, he should have been coming to meet with his successor to discuss issues as stakeholders in the state, instead of this campaign of calumny.

    “When he wrote the first letter and raised certain issues, we responded by publishing the monumental achievements of Governor Okorocha in less than six years, which took several pages. We were able to name the projects and their locations and took that opportunity to show that Chief Ohakim’s outing as governor was never a success story. He never reacted to say we had told lies because he knew we were on the sides of truth.

    “We do not know how Chief Ohakim feels today when he enters Owerri and sees that it has become a new city with eight-lane roads, inland roads, tunnels and flyovers, and even the new Government House, which had shanties when he held sway. In fact, in an ideal clime, Chief Ohakim should be celebrating Okorocha for achieving so much or doing the things he didn’t think about during his time.”

  • Ohakim gives late Pini- Jason’s widow car gift

    Ohakim gives late Pini- Jason’s widow car gift

    It was a touchy moment at the country home of the late Pini Jason Onyegbadue in Amuzi in the Ezinihitte local government area of Imo state recently when the immediate past governor of Imo state, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, handed over the keys of a brand new Kia salon car to the widow of the late Pini Jason, Mrs Obiageli Onyegbadue.
    Ohakim arrived the family compound of the Onyegbadues at about 10am in the company of some of his former aides and he was received warmly by Mrs. Onyegbadue and a few relatives. It was a big surprise because the beneficiary was not aware of the huge package that was coming her way. When the former governor gave her the
    keys and vehicle particulars, she was touched and shed tears of joy . Her late husband who served in Ohakim’s administration as special adviser of special duties died in 2013.

  • Ohakim retires from partisan politics

    Ohakim retires from partisan politics

    •Ex-governor: I’m tired of Imo PDP’s circus

    Former Imo State governor and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ikedi Ohakim, yesterday announced his retirement from partisan politics.

    At an emotional gathering at his Okohia country home in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area, Ohakim said he was shocked by his numerous followers who gathered for a luncheon with him on hearing the news of his retirement from politics.

    The former governor said he took the decision because he could no longer condone what he called the brigandage in the state’s politics.

    Ohakim, who spoke in an emotion-laden voice, said he kept the decision away from his policy associates because he did not want to be advised otherwise.

    He said: “People’s ambitions have been destroying our party in the state. I have decided to take steps backwards. I have decided to withdraw from all forms of partisan politics because I am too intelligent to be involved in the ongoing brigandage. In view of the current situation, I have come to the sad conclusion that I will no longer be able to be part of this circus in the political arena for the time being.  I am, therefore, by this statement, announcing my temporary withdrawal from active participation in partisan politics.

    “Let me quickly hasten to emphasise that there is nothing in this decision other than the need to have time to pursue other matters of terrestrial interest, outside partisan politics.

    “This is the fourth major decision I am taking in my political journey. I want to go on sabbatical and focus on mentoring young people and my non-governmental organisation (NGO). I am not asking any of my supporters to follow me. But if anyone chooses to follow me, he is welcome.”

    Ohakim assured his supporters that he might return with a bang someday.

    He added: “I will come back to play politics of ideas with those who are intelligent. I am coming back someday with a bang. But for now, I am quitting. I want to thank all of you for standing by me throughout my journey. But I can no longer continue until the system is sanitised.”

  • Imo rerun marred by malpractices, says Ohakim

    Imo rerun marred by malpractices, says Ohakim

    Former Imo State Governor Ikedi Ohakim has said last Saturday’s Imo North senatorial and House of Assembly rerun elections were marred by malpractices.

    He said the results, which was endorsed as authentic by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the poll did not represent “the wishes of the electorate”.

    Ohakim, in a statement, said INEC’s decision to approve the result of elections into House of Assembly seats in Oru East and Isiala Mbano constituencies and the Imo North Senatorial District was flawed.

    He said: “The rerun elections in these constituencies, especially those of Isiala Mbano State Constituency and Okigwe Senate seats, were characterised by massive manipulation of poll results, snatching of ballot materials at gun point and other crude and stone-age styled electoral malpractices.”

    The former governor alleged that vote riggers, in alleged connivance with some electoral officers, “caused the disappearance of collation officers deployed and paid with tax payers’ money”.

    Security personnel, he said, “or those impersonating them, were found to be shamefully involved in the criminal act of snatching electoral materials, stuffing of ballot boxes and intimidating innocent electorates”.

    Ohakim accused Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha of not keeping anyone in doubt “about his desperation to impose his party’s candidates on the people during these elections, as he deployed state resources to the areas affected by this rerun election and took steps to stampede ordinary citizens who are perceived not to be supportive of his party’s candidates”.

    He added: “The Executive governor, through his public broadcasts and actions, made it clear that he did not bother about the wishes of majority of the voters, but was strictly interested in pursuing an ego battle between him and some perceived and real political rivals in the state.”

    The former governor hailed INEC for cancelling the results of some wards and polling booths “that were clearly rigged in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), especially that of Osuachara Ward  in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area, where attempts were made to subvert the majority wishes of the people through the barrel of a gun”.

    Ohakim also said: “The youths and all classes of electorate in the affected areas are getting restive; they feel slighted by the arrant insult on them through broad daylight robbery of the mandate they had freely given to their preferred candidates in the election under contest.

    “The introduction of Card Readers in our electoral culture has been applauded by various local and international organisations as a powerful tool in checkmating electoral malpractices. It is, therefore, disturbing that a majority of the personnel deployed for the last rerun deliberately and mischievously failed to put these card readers to use. In the few places where they were put to use, the results returned did not correspond with the records of the card-reading machines.”

    Ohakim also accused some National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed as electoral officials of being manipulated by “desperate politicians who used them to subvert the wishes of the majority”.

    The former governor advised INEC to restore its “tainted integrity by taking steps to ensure that the figures of voting as declared by its officials at polling booth and ward levels are used in determining who won the elections”.

    He said: “The idea of discountenancing the results entered on the relevant forms must be corrected, as it poses the most dangerous threat to our democracy than even Boko Haram or the Niger-Delta Avengers.

    “The electoral umpire must fish out and punish its personnel who were in one way or the other involved or suspected to have been involved in the criminal subversion of the people’s will as experienced in the last election. Also, INEC must ensure that it uses another set of personnel to conduct elections in the booths where supplementary election has been ordered.”

  • Court grants Ohakim permission to travel abroad for treatment

    Court grants Ohakim permission to travel abroad for treatment

    The Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday granted former Imo State Governor Ikedi Ohakim permission to travel abroad for medical treatment.

    Vacation judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, granted the permission following an application by Ohakim’s lawyer, Mr Gordy Uche (SAN).

    Uche prayed the court to release the former governor’s passport to enable him travel abroad for a routine medical check up.

    The prosecuting counsel, Mr Festus Ukpe, did not oppose the application and the court granted the request.

    Ohakim is to return his passport to the registrar of the court not later than 48 hours upon his return in August.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the substantive case against Ohakim is before Justice Adeniyi Ademola but he approached Justice Dimgba’s court because of the court’s vacation.

    Justice Ademola, on June 30, dismissed a “no case” submission filed by Ohakim on alleged corruption and money laundering, saying he had a case to answer.

    In dismissing the application, the judge held that the prosecution, led by Mr Festus Keyamo, had established a prima facie case against the defendant, necessitating him to open his defence.

    Ohakim, through his counsel, Awa Kalu, told the court that he had no case to answer and as such, the court should strike out all the charges brought against him.

    NAN recalls that Ohakim was arraigned on July 8, last year, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a three-count charge of money laundering.

    EFCC alleged that Ohakim purchased a house in Abuja with a cash payment of the dollar equivalent of N270 million in November 2008.

    He allegedly committed the crime while he was governor of Imo State.

    He was admitted to bail on July 9, last year.

     

  • Maduekwe, a national icon- Ohakim

    Maduekwe, a national icon- Ohakim

    Former Imo State governor, Ikedi Ohakim has described late Chief Ojo Maduekwe as a national icon.

    Ohakim, who described Maduekwe’s death as shocking, said it was not surprising that Nigerians have been mourning since his passing.

    Ohakim, who was speaking in a press statement, said: “The news of the passing away of our big brother and national icon, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, came to me with a rude shock. Since his death was announced a few days ago, the entire nation has been thrown into mourning.