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Tag: Okorocha

  • Nigeria will triumph in 2019, says Okorocha

    Imo State governor and Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, Rochas Okorocha has called on Nigerians to be positive about 2019.

    He assured that the new year will “favour the nation and her people more than 2018”.

    The governor in his New Year message noted that “no nation grows with the citizenry being negative about the progress of such a nation”.

    He, therefore, urged Nigerians to see light at the end of the tunnel with regard to 2019 especially the nation’s politics, economy, unity and development.

    Read Also: 2019: Elect visionary leaders, Atiku advises Nigerians

    According to him, “the year 2018 which had just ended was not a bad year when properly scrutinized. Nigerians should be grateful to God for his goodness in 2018 and also pray that 2019 will be far better than 2018”.

    He assured Imo people that his government will continue to work till the end of his tenure in 2019 and remarked that most of the things his administration promised to do, have been done.

    The governor added further that in 2018 the people of the State enjoyed unbridled peace and security, assuring that his government shall not relent in these regards.

  • Christmas: Okorocha urges Christians to pray for 2019 elections

    Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha has called on Christians to seize the opportunity of the Christmas celebration to pray for the success of the 2019 general elections.

    The governor noted that Christians should be in the forefront of the campaign for peace and unity of the country “since Christ had also preached about peace and unity”.

    He urged Christians to shun divisive tendencies.

    According to him, “with the sincere prayers of Christians in the country, the nation could move faster on the fast lanes of progress and development.

    He called for prayers for leaders at all levels especially for President Muhammadu Buhari, the governors, Local Government Chairmen, Security agencies, the Priests and Imams so that they could have God-given wisdom and knowledge to lead.

    The governor urged Christians in the State, in particular, to “love all not minding which religion one practices and do away with hatred and malice”.

  • Anti-party activities: APC weighs sanctions against Amosun, Okorocha, others

    How would the All Progressives Congress (APC) sanction two of its state governors for allegedly working against the interest of the party in next year’s elections?

    That is the dilemma currently facing the ruling party as it weighs the decisions of Governors Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State and Rochas Okorocha of Imo State to work against the aspirations of the party’s candidates in their states in the 2019 elections.

    Both governors, after failing to procure the APC governorship and other tickets for   their preferred candidates, are believed to be sponsoring them on the platforms of rival parties although they themselves remain senatorial candidates of the APC in their respective states.

    They have even threatened to ensure that the APC candidates.other than those endorsed by them,are defeated in the elections.

    While Adekunle Akinlade, Amosun’s choice candidate, is now the flag-bearer of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Ogun State, Okorocha’s son-in-law and preferred successor, Uche Nwosu, is the candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) in Imo.

    The Nation also learnt that Governor Yari of Zamfara State may similarly be sanctioned once the national leadership of the party decides on how best to deal with recalcitrant chieftains. Highly placed party sources said both the NWC and other organs of the party have agreed that it is in the best interest of the APC to sanction the governors before the next general elections.

    “We’re deeply troubled by the actions of these governors and other chieftains of the party toeing same lines as them,” a senior party official told The Nation, confirming concerns expressed in recent weeks by top party officials.

    Asked about the APC leadership’s disposition towards Amosun and Okorocha recently, the spokesperson of the party, Lanre Issa-Onilu, had said the party is displeased with all forms of anti-party activities.

    Answering further questions about whether the party will take punitive actions against the duo, Issa-Onilu said “you will hear from us soon.”

    A top official of the ruling party confirmed that several meetings have been held to discuss what he described as the “obvious anti-party activities” of Governor Amosun and Okorocha in their states.

    “Contrary to opinions currently held in some quarters, it is not true that the party is finding it difficult to move against the two governors and others like them,” the source said.

    “To tell you the truth, we have met several times to discuss their cases. And as I speak to you, all major organs of the party are in agreement that something urgent must be done by the party to show the world that we will not tolerate such dissidence.

    “Specifically, it has been agreed that it is important that we address the cases of the governors of Ogun and Imo before the next general elections start. This will help boost the confidence of loyal party members in the leadership of the party and send across the right messages that we will not condone indiscipline from anybody, no matter how highly placed.

    “That nobody is saying anything about how we intend to discipline them is because nobody has been authorized to comment on their issues for now.

    “What is left is to decide on exactly what to do. Once that is done, APC will show how much it cherishes party discipline and loyalty. Those going about to say they are larger than life will soon be brought right back to life,” he added.

    Further checks by The Nation revealed that considerations such as the effects of the various punitive measures proposed against the governors as well as ongoing efforts by some party elders to mediate in the crises, are part of reasons why Amosun, Okorocha and other APC chieftains currently engaging in alleged anti-party activities, are yet to be sanctioned.

    “Yes, it is true that some people are still talking to the parties involved in the crises. Even some of these governors are still asking for negotiations as we speak. Don’t forget one or two of them currently hold our senatorial tickets. So, somehow, we want to see what will come out of the ongoing efforts to talk some sense into those misbehaving.

    “Besides that, we are going into general elections. Mr. President is seeking re-election in what many people are describing as a tough electoral challenge. We need all the supports and votes we can get. Our national chairman is a seasoned politician who believes that we must not close the door on negotiation until it is obvious that nothing will come out of it,” another source added.

    On Friday Amosun, in a veiled reference to his running battle with the national leadership of the APC, said he only fears God and President Muhammadu Buhari and no one else.

    The governor who spoke after receiving a letter from the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) endorsing President Muhammadu Buhari as its presidential candidate for the February 2019 Presidential polls said: “”We don’t fear them. All of them put together, we don’t fear anybody. We fear God and we fear President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “We have decided to let them be for the sake of President Buhari. If not for the President, we know what to do.”

    He vowed that the Derin Adebiyi-led state executive council of the APC that was dissolved last week by the national leadership of the party would serve out its tenure.

     

  • OKOROCHA locks out OSHIOMHOLE, Imo APC Chiefs from stadium

    NATIONAL Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, and Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State were yesterday locked in a fresh spat after the state government allegedly denied APC the use of Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri for the flag-off of its governorship election campaign.

    Oshiomhole branded the governor’s action anti-party and derided his style of governance. Although Okorocha is an APC member, he is vehemently opposed to the party’s governorship candidate, Senator Hope Uzodinma, whose election he has threatened to work against. The governor, who is supporting his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, for the governorship race on the platform of Action Alliance (AA), fired back at Oshiomhole, dismissing the allegation that he denied Uzodinma the use of the stadium as untrue, adding that only Oshiohole could believe it. Okorocha and members of the state cabinet boycotted yesterday’s campaign of APC.

    Oshiomhole said: “For the workers who no longer know what a pay day looks like, I bring a message of hope. “When a governor will look at the face of his people and say there is money to do other things but no money to pay those who are working for the government. “I bring a message of hope that appointments into your government will be made on merit and not on family connection. “I bring a message of hope that when we talk of happiness, we will not domesticate it in the hands of a sister; that the happiness of the great people of Imo State will be the primary purpose of government under Senator Hope Uzodinma. “I bring you a message of hope that in constructing buildings and building roads, they will be based on due process. “One contract will not be awarded to three people. If it must be awarded, it must not be awarded to in-laws; it will be awarded to genuine business men and women of Imo State.

    “I bring you hope that never again will your governor look at your leaders and abuse them because democracy is about people. “I bring you a message of hope that never again shall we govern on the basis of family connection: whether you know somebody or you don’t know somebody; you married from me, I didn’t marry from you; that shall not be the basis of winning the next election. “I bring you a message of hope that your money will be used to develop Imo land. “And through you, I bring a message of hope to the traditional rulers; that they will be able to preside over their domains without being intimidated by the governor. “I bring you a message of hope that from now on, we will govern in a way that will leave no man in doubt that democracy is government of the people by the people and for the people.

    “I want to assure those workers who have been lamenting, those families whose husbands have not been paid for six months to nine months, and I want to assure those pensioners that the bailout money which President Buhari gave to governors, including the governor of Imo State, that was not used for the purpose, that money will be retrieved and our pensioners will smile again.  “Never again will a governor of this state look at you in the face and say that your salary depends on when he wants and not when it is due. “Never again will someone use your money to print posters with a President Obama when he is doing the opposite of Obama. “I bring you assurances of hope that you are going to have a governor who will lead you by the power of personal example. “Let me say it without fear of contradiction that those who are printing President Muhammadu Buhari’s posters, putting his face and their own faces because their faces are unknown, their party is unknown and they will put Buhari’s face and put the logo of an unknown party, those ones are fake.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari has APC as his party. He is our presidential candidate. President Muhammadu Buhari believes in and has adopted Senator Hope Uzodinma as the APC governorship candidate. “We want real democrats that will accept the will of the people. How can you explain that an APC governor will deny an APC candidate the use of the stadium that is built with tax payers’ money from Imo State?” Switching to pidgin English, Oshiomhole continued: “I hear say yesterday he talk am say he no wan give stadium because when he dey contest against (former governor Ikedi) Ohakim, he talk say Ohakim no give am stadium. So, he too go copy Ohakim. I say e good oh! If you copy who fail exam, you too you never fail? If you copy who fail exam, what will you get? He who copy failure will find failure awaiting him.”

    In a swift reaction to Oshiomhole’s allegation, Okorocha, speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, said: “For those who know Chief Hope Uzodinma very well, they won’t be surprised that he could come up with this false claim on the issue. Only men like Adams Oshiomhole would believe him. “Since Governor Rochas Okorocha became governor in 2011, the Dan Anyiam Stadium has always been made available for all the political parties and candidates to use, not minding the political affiliations.

    “The Stadium is the property of Imo people and Chief Uzodinma would not have been denied the opportunity of using the facility for the flag-off of his campaign if he had asked or applied for it. “He never applied to use the stadium, especially when a press release had been issued days before the flag-off of his campaign that the governor had directed that the stadium should be released free to political parties and candidates who would like to use it for their rallies or for other political activities. “As usual, Chief Uzodinma wanted to use the stadium issue to blackmail the governor and to continue to deceive men like Oshiomhole.

    “The truth is that Chief Hope Uzodinma cannot raise up to one thousand people, talk more (sic) raising a crowd that would fill the stadium. “He does not have the capacity. He knows his handicaps. Where would Chief Uzodinma get the crowd to fill the Stadium? “Last time, he published a crowd of an event that took place in the north as the crowd that graced his rally when he was named the candidate of the party. And Senator Araraume’s men also used the picture of the same crowd. We exposed them on that. “Men and women of goodwill should ignore Chief Uzodinma’s claim for who he is.”

  • Okorocha missing as Imo APC guber campaign kicks off

     

    • Oshiomhole accuse Imo Gov of anti-party

    The governorship campaign of the All Progressives Congress(APC) kicked off on Friday in Owerri with Imo State governor Rochas Okorocha conspicuously missing.

    But the National Chairman Comrade Adams Oshiomole led other national officers of the party to the event.

    Members of the State Executive Committee of the party were also absent at the scantily attended ceremony.

    The usual crowd that attends APC gatherings in the state was missing as only supporters of the governorship candidate, Hope Uzodinma, gathered at his Campaign Headquarters along Okigwe road where the event held.

    Oshiomhole, who has been in a running battle with the Imo governor, accused him (Okorocha) of frustrating the APC candidate, an action he described as anti-party.

    He stated by denying the APC candidate use of the stadium, the governor has shown he is working against the party.

    But the Okorocha swiftly described claim he locked the stadium as false.

    Oshiomole said the stadium was built with tax payers’ money and not Okorocha’s personal fund, recalling how Okorocha cried out in 2011 when the then governor, Ikedi Ohakim, stopped him from using the stadium for his campaign.

    Oshiomhole also accused the governor of neglecting the people of the state with his style of governance.

    He said: “Let me appreciate the members of the National Working Committee for coming to join the governorship candidate of our party, we approach with one simple message.

    “It is a message of Hope, not a message of lamentation. I want you to listen because for me campaign is not about entertainment.

    “Today, we have come to deliver the message of Hope although things have gone wrong in the past.

    “We have come to return the government of Imo state to the great people of Imo state.

    Read Also: Dickson proposes N275.8bn budget for 2019

    “We have come to tell you that we have respect for you people.  The next governor in the person of Senator Hope Uzodimma will restore all that have been destroyed.

    “Please Imo people cool temper. Today is a day to pass a message of Hope. Today we desire to talk to the young people especially to my fellow colleagues the civil servants.

    “The days are gone for a governor who will look at people and say there is money to do other things and not to pay civil servants”.

    He went on: “I want to tell you that those governors that were given money including the governor of Imo state that did not use it for that purpose will be retrieved.

    “Buhari has adopted Hope Uzodimma as the governor of Imo state. I want you to go and tell people what I said.

    “Nigeria needs to produce political leaders that have political concentration.

    “How will you believe that an APC governor will lock the stadium against an APC, governorship candidate?

    “It is the tax payers’ money that is used to build that stadium and not his personal money”.

     

     

  • Okorocha: it will take God to market Uzodinma

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has said it will take God to market the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Hope Uzodinma.

    Okorocha said while it will be easy to deliver President Muhammadu Buhari, it will be impossible to convince anyone to vote for Uzodinma.

    The governor reiterated that he was not the problem of the embattled APC governorship candidate.

    A statement by his Chief Press Secretary Sam Onwuemeodo, said: “It would require God talking from heaven and telling Imo people that “Chief Hope Uzodinma is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased” before they would consider changing their minds. If not, Imo people know those who cannot be their governor. Uzodinma knows this fact and he should stop using the governor to deceive his sponsors

    “Adams Oshiomhole’s preferred governorship candidate has launched repeated media campaign of calumny against Governor Rochas Okorocha, giving the impression that the governor is the source of his woes.

    “But we wish to crave the indulgence of all men and women of truth to the fact that Governor Rochas Okorocha is not the problem of Chief Hope Uzodinma as the APC governorship candidate. The major problem Uzodinma has is self-inflicted. Imo people know him, and he has the choking problem convincing them to vote for him to become their governor. The latest story on the APC candidate is that he has been banned from travelling out for alleged treasury looting. It was not Okorocha, who slammed the travel ban on him.

    “He is in court over a $12.5 million contract; that does not concern Rochas. He is in court for asset declaration; that has nothing to do with Rochas. Chief Uzodinma is also in court for issuance of dud cheque; this matter also has nothing to do with Rochas Okorocha, among other similar cases. It is also not an oversight that the APC candidate has not made his profile available for people to see.

    “The people knew why they settled for Sam Mbakwe in 1979, Evan Enwerem in 1991, Achike Udenwa in 1999, Ikedi Ohakim in 2007 and Rochas Okorocha in 2011. There are certain ugly stories they do not like to hear about anybody aspiring to govern them.

    “Chief Uzodinma should be courageous enough to tell those sponsoring him where the problem lies. It is not Rochas.”

     

  • Okorocha solicits support for NLC

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has said the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other related institutions need to be encouraged to function well for the good of all.

    The governor spoke at the weekend while handing over an office complex built and furnished by the government to NLC.

    He said the gesture was not meant to compromise the union.

    “This is not to entice you or prevent you from doing what is right, but to encourage you to do what is right in your conscience.

    “My joy is that I want to create an atmosphere where institutions will work. I have built secretariats for NUJ, CAN, etc. If institutions can only work, then government can work because the checks and balances of government are these institutions.

    “…I didn’t even know that people appreciate the security which has improved greatly. I’m sure if I call the judiciary, the judges and workers will applaud me for building a worthy edifice as the High Court. I’m sure the police will applaud me for building the police headquarters and the prison headquarters. I’m sure lecturers will applaud me for building six universities, four polytechnics and four colleges of Education.

    The governor donated a car to the chairman, N1 million monthly for the upkeep of the secretariat and N10,000 each as Christmas bonus for civil servants.

    NLC’s National President Ayuba Wabba, who was represented by National Deputy President John Osia, said  “the governor had shown that he truly understands the workings of industrial relations since he was not the first or the second governor who had governed the state”.

    State NLC Chairman Austin Chilakpu said: “The governor built the secretariat from the bottom of his heart, without any form of compulsion. He did not only build the secretariat and equipped it beyond comprehension, but also installed a 60 KVA generating set. Every office is furnished to the brim with a one-thousand capacity hall with seats and well air-conditioned. The environment is interlocked with steady water.

    “We have neither gold nor silver to offer you. Over 13 industrial unions have been provided accommodation in the complex and the burden of office rent taken away from us. God will bless you. We will continue to partner with you.”

  • Okorocha presents N276b 2019 Appropriation Bill to Imo Assembly

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha yesterday presented a budget proposal of N276,818,071,812 for the 2019 fiscal year.

    A breakdown of the budget showed that N214,641,699,585, representing 77.54 per cent of the total budget, is earmarked for capital expenditure, while N62,176,372,227, representing 22.46 per cent of the budget, is set aside for recurrent expenditure.

    Presenting the budget, tagged: Budget of Consolidation and Economic Stability, the governor noted that “with the presentation of the 2019 budget proposal to the Assembly, we have launched the state into the last phase of the Rescue Mission Development Plan”.

    Read also: Imo Assembly suspends four members

    He said his administration’s commitment to making the state a robust as well as the fastest-growing economy in Nigeria, remained irrevocable.

    According to him, the budget proposal provides a realistic platform for the attainment of the state’s development goals “under the Rescue Mission State Department Plan”.

    Okorocha said the budget was designed to ensure the completion of ongoing projects and improve the economic growth through investment infrastructure.

    He added: “It gives hope and practical support to our youths, who are key to our prosperous future; it will not only consolidate our development efforts but will also ensure prudence and efficiency in our expenditure programmes.”

     

  • Okorocha presents N276 billion budget

    Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha on Thursday presented a budget proposal of N276, 818,071,812 for the 2019 fiscal year.

    A breakdown of the budget, showed that a total sum of N214, 641,699,585, representing 77.54% of the total budget was earmarked for capital expenditure, while N62, 176,372, 227, representing 22.46% of the total budget was set aside for recurrent expenditure.

    Presenting the budget tagged ‘Budget of Consolidation and Economic Stability’ , the governor, stated that “with the presentation of the 2019 budget proposal to the House, we have launched the state into the last phase of the Rescue Mission Development Plan”.

    He said that his administration’s commitment to making the state a robust as well as the fastest growing economy in Nigeria is irrevocable, adding that, the 2019 budget provides a realistic platform for the attainment of the state’s development goals under the Rescue Mission State Department Plan”.

    According to the governor, the budget is designed to ensure the completion of all on going projects in the state and improve the economic growth through investment infrastructure.

    He said the budget will consolidate the development efforts of his administration by ensuring prudence and efficiency in the expenditure programmes.

    “It gives hope and practical support to our youth who are key to our prosperous future; it will not only consolidate our development efforts but will ensure prudence and efficiency in our expenditure programmes,” he said.

    He said the budget would focus on urban renewal, efficient health care delivery, women and youth empowerment, health development among others.

  • Rein in Oshiomhole, Okorocha urges President

    IMO State Governor Rochas Okorocha yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to call All Progressives Congress (APC) Adams Oshiomhole to order over what he called “his culture of rascality.”

    He was reacting to a report credited to Oshiohmole in which the party chair berated Okorocha and his Ogun State counterpart, Ibikunle Amosun for encouraging their supporters to pursue their political ambitions in other political parties.

    Oshiomhole said both governors were “behaving like poor students of their own history”, reminding them  they had lost elections before winning on the platform of the APC.

    The Imo governor advised Oshiomhole to emulate President Buhari, who he said had never used any foul language on any Nigerian leader, both present and past.

    His Chief Press Secretary Sam Onwuemeodo said in a statement: “We won’t take the pain to begin to talk about all the abuses and media attack on Governor Rochas Okorocha and some other governors of APC extraction by the National Chairman of the Party, Adams Oshiomhole but to humbly plead with President Muhammadu Buhari, who is the leader of the party, to call Oshiomhole to order.

    “The party’s national chairman has, in less than six months, enthroned the culture of rascality in the party and the development is not good for the party. APC is not known for rascality and abuses. And the earlier he is called to order the better for the party.

    “Since Muhammadu Buhari became President, he has never used any foul language on any Nigerian, low or high, and that is the best way to go. And Oshiomhole should borrow a leaf from Mr. President.

    “One of the reasons the PDP lost in 2015 was the abuses the handlers of the party then were heaping on the APC presidential candidate then, and the President today, Muhammadu Buhari. Oshiomhole should be advised not to tow the 2015 PDP line.

    “Chief Olusegun Obasanjo is the former President of the country. And no matter the provocation or his political activities this time, Oshiomhole should have considered his status as the former President of the country in talking about him, and should have exercised caution in addressing him. Saying that God would punish the former President was never advisable. This should not be the language of APC.

    “APC does not belong to Oshiomhole. He should therefore be advised to carefully select his words when he is talking about certain categories of Nigerians. And he should also find out why he is the only one talking about APC and no other member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party is doing so.

    “Oshiomhole should help the party and its candidates by making his points without abusing people. The way Oshiomhole is talking has become nauseating to most Nigerians and the earlier he is called to order, the better.

    “He should be talking about the achievements of President Buhari and APC as a party instead of using the opportunities he would have used to do that, to be insulting people.

    “To say the least, few weeks to the elections, APC and its candidates do not need Oshiomhole’s abuses or insults but the reasons Nigerians should re-elect President Buhari and elect APC candidates.”