The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Okorocha

  • Okorocha appeals reinstatement of ‘monarch’

    Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has filed a fresh appeal at the Supreme Court against the decision of the Court of Appeal reinstating the sacked Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Cletus Ilomuanya.

    Okorocha had, in his maiden broadcast on June 6, 2011, dissolved the Imo State Council of Ndi Eze. Ilomuanya challenged the governor’s decision in the court.The High Court decided the case against him, prompting him to appeal at the Court of Appeal, which reinstated him.

    Okorocha, who was dissatisfied with the Court of Appeal’s decision, appealed to Supreme Court.

    Last Thursday, when the case was called at the Supreme Court, Justice John Fabiyi (who presided) struck out the suit on the ground that the appellant failed to first obtain the court’s leave as required.

    Imo State’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume (SAN), who represented Okorocha, restated the case by filing a fresh one marked: SC9/ 2015.

    Okorocha wants the apex court to hold that the five-year tenure of Ilumounya had elapsed on January 28, this year, having  been appointed on January 28, 2010 by the state’s former governor, Ikedi Ohakim.

    Okorocha also filed a motion for a stay of execution of the Court of Appeal judgment pending the determination of his fresh appeal.

    Relying on the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja and the Independent National Electoral  Commission (INEC), Okorocha argued that Ilumounya’s tenure could not be extended.

    The state’s Attorney General has, however, petitioned the Inspector-General of Police Suleiman Abba over the alleged attempt by Ilumounya to mislead the public on the appeal which is still pending.

    Copies of the petition were also sent to the Imo state Police Commissioner and the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Court of Appeal.

  • Imo students deny involvement in demolition of govt. property

    Imo students deny involvement in demolition of govt. property

    The National Union of Imo State Students (NUISS), Tuesday absolved its members of complicity in the crisis that broke out during the solidarity rally for the State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, which left many wounded and millions of naira worth of properties destroyed.

    The students’ body also tendered an unreserved apology to the Imo Governor for the ‘embarrassment’ the incident may have caused his office, disclosing that hoodlums sponsored by opposition parties infiltrated the rally and incited the crisis.

    Briefing Journalists, the President of the Union, Miss Apuwara Chidera, stated that the students were on a peaceful solidarity rally for the Governor before hoodlums suspected to be members of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), a pro People’s Democratic Party (PDP) group, invaded the students.

    According to her, “members of NUISS were on solidarity rally for the Imo Governor because we believe in his free education programme, which has benefitted numerous Imo State students, when some hoodlums sponsored by the PDP invaded the place and started to demolish government properties and vehicles.

    “We want to seize this opportunity to apologize to the Governor and state clearly that our members were not involved in the mayhem”.

    Also condemning the development, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, blamed the PDP for the rising breach of public peace in the state.

    He said that the PDP “in their desperation sent hired thugs to disrupt a peaceful rally organized by students in the State in solidarity to the State Governor of the State to appreciate him for the free education.

    “Perhaps irked and jolted by the large number of students that attended the solidarity rally, the PDP sent thugs to infiltrate the crowd and began to cause trouble even to the extent of destroying street lights and other items.

    “Imo people can bear witness to the fact that before now students and other bodies have been having solidarity rallies for the governor who has done for them, what the PDP governments for twelve years in the State could not do for them. And the question now becomes why it must be this latest rally that would turn into something else.”

     

  • Okorocha slams DSS

    Okorocha slams DSS

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha yesterday described as unfounded and malicious, an allegation by the Department of State Security (DSS) that the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was registering voters and planning to issue them with fake Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

    The governor, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, said: “The attention of Governor Rochas Okorocha has been drawn to reports, especially that of the Daily Sun of January 23 credited to the Department of State Security (DSS), claiming it has arrested four people for illegally registering people with the aim of issuing them Permanent Voter Cards.

  • Okorocha, Ihenacho throw jibes at debate

    Okorocha, Ihenacho throw jibes at debate

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate, Capt. Emmanuel Ihenacho, yesterday sold their manifestos to students of the Imo State University, at a debate organised by the Department of Political Science.

    Two of the 11 governorship candidates participated in the debate witnessed by top officials of the institution, students and politicians.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate and House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, Osmond Ukanacho of the United People’s Party (UPP) and Ken Ojiri of the Accord were absent.

    Ihenacho promised to create jobs for unemployed graduates.

    The APGA candidate, who was intermittently disrupted by the students, who chanted pro-Okorocha slogans, slammed the free education programme of the government, saying it was not backed by policies, which could create jobs for students after graduation.

    According to him, “education is not an end, but a means to an end. It is not enough to give youths education but to ensure they are engaged after graduation. Otherwise, the programme will amount to nothing. What we will do when we take over is to build industries that will employ graduates.”

    The Imo governor, who mounted the podium after Ihenacho, said the APGA candidate had no justification to pick holes in his free education programme, noting that the other 10 candidates combined did not have the capacity to offer free education.

    He recalled that before his emergence as the governor, education was the exclusive reserve of the rich, adding that the trend was reversed by his administration.

    Said Okorocha: “You all know that before now, education was meant for the children of the rich. But today, the children of the rich and the poor go to school. If you combine Ihedioha, Ihenacho, Udenwa and other candidates, they cannot offer free education. So, what does Ihenacho have to say about the free education programme?”

  • It’s all lies, says Okorocha of Ihedioha’s debt allegation

    It’s all lies, says Okorocha of Ihedioha’s debt allegation

    The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, yesterday accused Governor Rochas Okorocha of borrowing and squandering N200billion, with nothing to show for it.

    Speaking at Oru East Local Government at the launch of his campaign tour of the 27 councils, the PDP candidate said: “It is sad to note that Governor Okorocha has borrowed over N200billion since he assumed office, with nothing tangible to show for it.”

    But the Head of the Media, Research and Strategy of the Rochas Campaign Organisation, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, described the allegation as frivolous and unfounded.

    Onwuemeodo, who is also the governor’s senior special assistant on Media, said: “Last month, the Debt Management Office published the debt profile of the 36 states and Imo was owing just N10billion of the N100 billion borrowed by former Governor Ikedi Ohakim, which was repaid by the Okorocha administration. So let Ihedioha and his cohorts tell Imo people where they got their figures and the banks where the money was borrowed.”

    The deputy speaker insisted that “the deceit and desecration of our values we have witnessed under Okorocha’s watch as governor are alarming and wicked. He borrowed N43billion a few months ago without anything to show the indigenes.

    “This is wicked and frustrating. God will not let these things continue because He has heard the cries of Imo people.

    His time is up and we must show him the way out so that we can restore the lost values and repair the collapsed infrastructures.”

    Ihedioha promised that “the local governments will once again work under my administration and the sacked 10,000 workers reinstated to give youths the opportunity to contribute to the economic development of our state.”

    The campaign, led by the state Chairman of the PDP, Chief Nnamdi Anyaehie, visited Senator Hope Uzodinma at his Omuma country home and thereafter went to the palace of the Chairman, Oru East Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Eugene Okolie.

    A crowd of PDP supporters received the governorship candidate and his entourage with cheers and songs of solidarity.

    PDP stalwarts, who accompanied him, included the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, Chief Achike Udenwa, Chief Chuma Nnaji, deputy governorship candidate, Chief Eze Duruiheoma, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Dr. Alex Obi, Chief Chris Okewulonu, Chief Okey Dike, Chief Richmond Osuji.

    Others are Nze Law Biaduo, Chief Nnaemeka Maduagwu, Chief Willie Amadi, Ebere Udeagu (an engineer), Dr. Douglas Acholonu, Dr. Vin Udokwu, Ngozi Ogbu, Chief Jerry Alagbaoso, Chief Obinna Okwuaka, Chief Lemmy Akakem, Prof Jude Njoku, Lady Clara Njoku, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Okafor, Prince Charles Onuoha and Prince Marshal Okoroafor Anyanwu.

  • Okorocha accuses PDP of plotting mayhem

    Okorocha accuses PDP of plotting mayhem

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has accused the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of taking advantage of President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to the state to flout laws.

    He also accused the party of engaging in actions inimical to peace and security.

    In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, Okorocha said: “It has become obvious that while government has left no stone unturned in its effort to ensure peace and security of life and property, the chieftains of the PDP have refused or failed to appreciate and reciprocate these godly actions.”

    He added: “The party has concentrated on actions aimed at frustrating the peaceful dispositions of the governor by using every opportunity to provoke the government and cause trouble.”

    According to the statement, “again, having read the political handwriting on the wall that Imo people have distanced or isolated themselves from the party, the chieftains of the PDP have taken refuge or resorted to violence and provoking utterances, using every opportunity they have, to do this.

    “For instance, the PDP chieftains were expected to use the coming of Mr. President to the state to market him and their party by telling the people what they have gained from the PDP-led Federal Government after giving the party the highest number of votes of over one million in 2011 after Rivers State and talk about the party’s failed governments in the state for 12 years. They have instead tried to use the President’s coming to cause trouble.

    “The PDP chieftains know that since 2012, there are strategic areas in the capital where the government has outlawed the mounting of billboards in the interest of the people.

    “Such law does not only exist in Imo State, there are laws like that even in Abuja. But a PDP chieftain deliberately went to such location and mounted a billboard on Friday.

    “They deliberately did that to provoke the government and blackmail the governor. This is why the question should be, why did the PDP chieftains wait till 24 hours to Mr. President’s coming before mounting the billboard, if not to use it as a blackmail?

    “It is also disturbing that the PDP elements always wait for the time the President wants to come to the state before showing concern about him. They do not talk about the president even in their campaigns. They do not even tell Imo people why they should vote for Jonathan. But whenever the No 1 citizen wants to come to the state, you see them embarking on fire brigade actions.

    “To further deceive Mr. President, they recruited people for more than a week from neighbouring states, such as Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu and Anambra and they despatched 20 buses each to these states to bring people for the rally in Owerri, having known the apathy the people of the state have developed for the party for disappointing them for 12 years.”

    The governor’s aide said government did not remove the billboards of any candidate.

    “Even the ones owned by those who abuse the governor on a daily basis have not been removed.

    “It has become necessary to let the PDP chieftains know that there is a sitting government in the state. And it is the responsibility of every responsible government to ensure the obedience of its ordinances.

    “We challenge the Imo PDP chieftains to tell Mr. President the truth for the first time about the pitiable state of the party caused by the disappointment it gave the people when it ruled for 12 years and tell him why they don’t talk about him and his government except when he wants to visit the state.

    “We appeal to the security agencies, which have earned the confidence and respect of the people with the way they have fought crimes, not to fall to the antics of the PDP.

    “The people’s governor and his administration will work for the peace of the state and will not be deterred by the provoking tendencies of the Imo PDP chieftains.”

  • Anglican bishops hail Okorocha for retaining deputy

    Anglican bishops hail Okorocha for retaining deputy

    Anglican bishops in Imo State have hailed Governor Rochas Okorocha for retaining his deputy, Prince Eze Madumere, as his running mate.

    They described the duo as a formidable team “that holds greater prospects for the state.”

    The clerics, who met the governor to discuss the issues affecting the state, said: “Madumere has worked hard and conducted himself well to deserve to be retained as the deputy governor.”

    The bishops, led by Archbishop Caleb Maduoma, also praised the governor’s landmark achievements and pleaded that the mission schools be released to their owners.

    Speaking on behalf of the League of Bishops, Rt. Rev. Bennett Okoro referred to the governor’s free education, massive infrastructural development, rural development, health sector reforms and security of life and property, adding that the achievements had deepened democratic culture.

    The issue of who would be Okorocha’s running mate was a subject of debate until after the display of candidates’ list by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    When the debate was on, the governor did not hide his preference for Madumere, whom he described as trustworthy.

    The religious leaders at the meeting were Archbishop Caleb Maduoma; Bishop of Orlu Diocese, Rt. Rev. Bennett Okoro; Bishop of Owerri Diocese, Rt. Rev. Cyril Okorocha; Bishop of Diocese on the Lake, Bishop C.B.N. Oti; Bishop of Diocese of Ohaji-Egbema, Rt. Rev. Chidi Oparajiaku and Bishop of Diocese of Oru, Rt. Rev. Godfrey Chukwunenye.

    Okorocha thanked the clergymen for their support, which he said encouraged his administration to achieve a lot in less than four years.

  • Imo denies issuing dud cheque to pensioners

    Imo denies issuing dud cheque to pensioners

    Imo State Government yesterday described as malicious and unfounded, the allegation that pensioners in the State were issued dud cheque as payment for their monthly pension and gratuity.

    In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Chidi Ibe, the state Government insisted that pensioners in the state get their monthly pensions and other entitlements as at when due, adding that the contributions of the pensioners will always be appreciated.

    According to the statement, “there has never been a time in the reign of this people oriented and purpose driven government that any worker, especially our pensioners will be allowed to go through pains just to access their benefits, talk more of issuing out dud cheque to them.

    “In addition, all pensioners in the state have always been in cordial relationship with the Rochas Okorocha led administration as never witnessed in the history of Imo State. Let’s state categorically that pensioners promptly receive their monthly pension in this administration as at when due, even from their respective homes and sick beds.

    “Therefore the State Government views with disdain the rumour mongers and self-centered politicians who are hell-bent in misleading the people with lies and unfounded allegations in order to score cheap political goals. These are desperate politicians who want to cling to power at all costs”.

  • Okorocha presents N141b budget proposal

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha yesterday presented a proposed budget of N141, 291,133,849 at the House of Assembly.

    The budget, tagged: “Budget of Total Rescue and Sustainability”, according to the governor, would lay emphasis on projects and programmes with high capacity for wealth creation, skill acquisition and self employment and socio-economic development.

    He said the budget, which projected 57 per cent for capital projects and 43 per cent for recurrent expenditure, was prepared to achieve concrete and formidable dividends of democracy in the areas of completion of projects and implementation of prioritised projects.

    A breakdown of the budget showed that N119, 698,633,849 of the revenue projection is for recurrent items and N21, 520,500,000 is for capital receipts.

    Explaining the slight increase in the recurrent expenditure in the budget, compared to last year’s, the governor said it was conceived to improve on the welfare of the people, whom he said, endured hard times in the last three years.

    A further breakdown of the budget include: N12,263,433,920, Personnel Costs N12,010,469,311, Subvention Costs 17,728,500,000 and N18,724,170,603 are for Charges (CRFC).

    Speaker Benjamin Uwajumogu, however, regretted that the budget was presented late, but assured of a speedy passage.

    He urged the ministries and departments to turn up for the budget defence, to enable the House conclude the required procedures in time.

  • 2015: Okorocha gets support

    2015: Okorocha gets support

    •Promises more democracy dividends

    The second term bid of Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has got a boost, as the people of Ezinihitte Local Government have vowed to ensure his victory.

    About 17,000 people in the council, including women, men and youths, took the decision at the official declaration of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Ezinihitte Constituency, Dr. Ifeanyi Nwachukwu, at Okpofe Central School.

    The party Chairman, Dr. Hilary Eke, assured the governor that Ezinihitte people would vote for APC candidates to ensure the continuity of good programmes.

    He said the people  benefitted from the Okorocha administration, especially in infrastructural development, adding that Mbaise people occupied top positions.

    Eke said the indigenes would not forget the good work of the governor and the only way to reward him was to ensure his victory at the polls.

    The APC Chairman in the local government, Chief Stanley Onwukwe, said the party would win in Imo State.

    Nwachukwu assured the governor of the people’s support.

    He said the party had adopted measures to prevent rigging in the local government.

    Okorocha assured them of the completion of Amamura-Itu-Eziudo-Obizi-Ihitte Ezegbogu Road before the end of the first quarter of 2015.

    He stressed the need for Ezinihitte people to vote for him to ensure the sustainability of free education and other lofty programmes.

    The governor described Nwachukwu, Adaku Ihuoma, who is contesting for a seat in the House of Representatives and Uche Onyeagocha, who is gunning for a senatorial seat, as people having impeccable character and the pedigree to deliver.