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Tag: Rochas Okorocha

  • I’m leaving behind a viable, secured Imo – Okorocha

    Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha of says he is leaving behind a viable and secured state.

    Okorocha said this when he received the New Commander, 34 Field Artillery Brigade of Nigerian Army, Obinze, Brig.-Gen. Yusuf Tukura who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House Owerri, on Monday.

    According to Okorocha, his administration in the state from 2011 to 2019 saw to the disappearance of vices such as kidnapping, armed robbery, ritual killings, baby factories and militancy.

    He added he would not be happy to hear that these crimes are back in the state after leaving office.

    The governor also explained that he would be going to the senate to pursue the policy of free education so that children of the poorest in the society would have hope of survival in Nigeria.

    He also promised to rebuild what he described as the political bridge that would link the South-East with the rest of Nigeria.

    “We have enjoyed a very good working relationship with all the past army commanders and we are hopeful it will continue.

    “I will use the opportunity in the senate to rebuild the political bridge that has linked the South East with the rest of Nigeria.

    Read also: Why I want to go to Senate, by Okorocha

    “The political bridge is somehow faulty and it is dutifully incumbent on me to rebuild it so that Igbo people will play a recognised role in the politics of Nigeria. I will also promote the course of ordinary Nigerians,’’ he said.

    Tukura said the visit is to inform the governor that he has assumed the command of the brigade, and to familiarise himself with him.

    He added that he was in the state in 2011 and he is back in 2019, while commending the governor for the transformation that has taken place in the state between 2011 and 2019.(NAN)

     

  • Why I want to go to Senate, by Okorocha

    Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, Monday gave hint why he wants to go to National Assembly as Senator representing Imo West Senatorial zone.

    He said he wants to build a strong political bridge between the Southeast and other geopolitical zones of the country.

    The governor also hinted that he would pursue the policy of Free Education at the National Assembly “so that the children of the poorest in the society would have hope of survival in Nigeria”.

    According to him, “I also want to use the opportunity in the Senate to rebuild the Political Bridge that has linked the South East with the rest of Nigerians. The Political Bridge is somehow faulty and it is dutifully incumbent on me to rebuild this bridge so that Igbos will play a recognized role in the Politics of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

    He continued that “I am going to the Senate top promote the course of ordinary Nigerians. These are some of the things I am going to the Senate to do. Otherwise, I have no business there”.

    Okorocha who spoke when he received the new Commander, 34 Field Artillery Brigade (FAB) Obinze Brigadier-General Yusuf Tukura when he came on Courtesy Call at the Government House Owerri, also disclosed that he is leaving behind a viable and secured State.

    He said  that his administration in the State from 2011 to 2019 saw the disappearance of kidnapping, armed robbery, ritual killings, baby factories, militancy and other organized crimes in the State, adding that he would not be happy to hear that these crimes are back to the State when he has left.

    Read Also: Buhari, Okorocha meet in Aso Rock

    He said “We have enjoyed a very good working relationship with all the past Army Commanders and we are hopeful it will continue. Imo is a peaceful State. It was made peaceful through the efforts of the rescue mission government, in partnership with other Security Agencies in the State.

    “The transformation you have seen in Imo State eight years down the line is as a result of Sacrifice. A leader who does not make sacrifices has no business with leadership. What you are seeing in Imo is a product of sacrifice. Sacrifice of self, Sacrifice of Comfort and personality, denial of yourself who you are, that you might serve your people well”.

    He continued, “I will advise you Brigadier general to set a target for yourself on what you want to achieve in Imo State as the Commander in the State. You have brought us message of peace and so we want you to maintain peace and tranquility. You should serve Imo people as your own home. Today you are in Igbo land as a Brigade Commander so you are automatically an Igbo man now; it is the attitude that will guarantee peace in Nigeria”.

    Earlier in his speech, the Army Commander, said he had come on the courtesy call to inform the governor that he has assumed the Command of the Brigade, and to familiarize himself with the governor.

    He informed that he was here in 2011 and is back to the State in 2019 and commended the governor for the transformation that has taken place in the State between 2011 and 2019.

  • Okorocha inaugurates boards, parastatals

    Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha on Friday inaugurated members of 38 Boards and parastatals, few weeks to the end of his administration.

    The Imo governor who was represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Mark Uchendu, allayed the fears of members of the Board over possible dissolution by the incoming government.

    He said that the tenure of the offices of the Board members is clearly stated in the different laws establishing them, assuring that it cannot be dissolved until the expiration of the time.

    Read Also: Oshiomhole behind my predicament, says Okorocha

    He urged them to deploy their wealth of experience to ensure that they bring the desired results in their respective Boards and parastatals.

    The governor also explained that the inauguration of the Boards which were constituted early January was delayed by the general elections.

    Responding on behalf of the Board members, Hon Daniel Nwafor, commended the governor for the honour, while describing it as a call to duty.

  • Parting gift for Imo pupils

    The Rochas Okorocha administration in Imo State, now serving out its last tenure, has given pupils in the state something to remember it for, reports OKODILI NDIDI

    There has never been a time like this for pupils in Imo State, with brand new school bags and a stipend of N500.

    Some hung the bag on their shoulders; others carried them on their heads out of sheer ecstasy. The effect was spontaneous as it was merry.

    The speed with which they discarded their weather beaten schoolbags showed how much they have been longing for something dignifying. The moment can only be described as a dream come true for the pupils, thanks to the Imo State government, which identified one of the needs of the pupils.

    Before the programme, which saw the wife of the governor, Nneoma Rochas Okorocha, distributing over 30,000 schoolbags across public schools in the state, some of the indigent pupils carried their books and other stationery to school in polythene bags.

    But not anymore, the pupils are not only owners of brand new school bags but are also five hundred naira richer.

    The sparkle in the big white eyes and the unpretentious grin spoke volumes of the deep seated gratitude in their hearts. This, the governor’s wife said, is her way of putting a smile on the faces of the indigent pupils.

    From one public school to another, the governor’s wife’s train went with the load of gifts and the reaction of the pupils were the same: they were overwhelmed with joy.

    Speaking on what influenced her decision to embark of the project, Mrs. Okorocha stated that the love and concern for the indigent pupils motivated the state government to get the bags for the pupils whose parents cannot readily afford the schoolbags.

    The gesture did not end at the school bag and pocket money, the state government has also released a whooping N7.5 billion for the renovation of all public schools in the state.

    Speaking at the flag-off ceremony earlier, the governor stated that the gift was to inspire the pupils and to prove his administration’s love for education.

    He said, “I have just come to dramatise our love for education. Education is our number one industry and the best gift you can give to a child is education. And today we can see that the free education has done well in Imo State. The programme can be adjudged successful from all indications. I am grateful to all the teachers for keeping the flag of free education flying.

    “You may recall that seven years ago when I was elected your governor, my first pronouncement was that education should be free so that the children of the less privileged can go to school.  I started with that by giving free education, and also giving stipends, uniforms, sandals, desks, chairs”.

    He continued “Today as I exit in a very short time as your governor I want to conclude with education. All those who have played a very vital role in keeping this light on, I salute you and I commend all of you. As I speak now, I want to announce to you that my parting gift to the people of Imo State in the Education Sector is the immediate release of N7.5billion for the renovation of all the secondary and primary schools in Imo State.

    ”In addition, I will release immediately the sum of N1million for the children in each of the primary and secondary schools in the State for their pocket money. Every child in Primary and Secondary Schools must also get the new bag already being distributed”.

    The governor also added that “for those of you who have done well in their schools, the best overall student in every School will have a letter from the governor plus N10,000. And the best in Primary School in all the Schools will also get the sum of N10,000. Your teachers who have been teaching you, making sacrifices and making sure you are educated, I hereby approve N10,000 for each of the teachers in both Secondary and Primary Schools of Imo State.”

    Read also: The Rochas Okorocha I know

    He stated further that “for those students that have the power of communication and oratory, they will have automatic tickets to the United States of America on holidays. I do this in Rochas Foundation Colleges every year where the best students go to America for holidays. I want to introduce it to Imo State before I leave. So the first set of best students will have to travel before I leave office”.

    Meanwhile, reacting to the gift, a head teacher in one of the primary schools, Mrs Adeline Okoroafor, lauded the initiative, adding that it will motivate the pupils to work hard.

    According to her, “it is not just about the school bag but the mere fact that it was coming from the state government will give the pupils a great sense of belonging. It goes a long way to prove that they have not been forgotten and this will motivate them to be serious with the books as a way of showing appreciation to the government”.

    Another teacher, Mrs. Beatrice Ukandu, stated that, “it is not just about the bag because many parents can afford to buy for their children and wards but it is about the motivation, I can tell you that the pupils have been feeling very important and this will affect their sense of perception positively. If you see the way they are displaying it, you can then imagine the amount of joy in their hearts”.

    One of the pupils, Master Nwachukwu Emmanuel, of Central School Owerri, thanked the state government for the gesture, stating that, “we are happy for the gift and money and I want to thank the governor. The bag is beautiful and better than my former bag and I will study harder to show my appreciation”.

  • Oshiomhole turning APC to regional minority party – Okorocha 

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha yesterday said   the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, is fast turning the party to regional minority party.

    If not checked, he said APC might have serious set back in the year 2023.

    Okorocha spoke with State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Villa in Abuja.

    On the mistake of 2015 and the emergence of new leadership for the National Assembly, Okorocha said:  “I have been watching carefully what is happening in the National Assembly, it’s a very interesting drama. But all I ask them is that they should consider the South East in their calculations.

    “This nation will not be properly balanced if South-east is not carried along properly in the affairs of the National Assembly. Nobody seems to be talking about the South-east, it looks like the South-east doesn’t have a place anymore, that is wrong, politically speaking and that is not good for APC.

    “Because there is going to be a bigger APC after President Muhammadu Buhari must have left the seat. My fear now is that APC might have a serious set back in 2023 because the Oshiomhole’s led executive is actually turning APC into a regional minority party which shouldn’t be because of his mistakes.

    “Right now in the whole South-east, we don’t have an APC governor. So if there is any discussion in Nigeria now within the APC governors and President Muhammadu Buhari, there would be nobody from the South East.

    “This is what the APC Chairman has done in the South-east. I think it’s a capital attempt to frustrate the efforts of the South-east. But I appeal to every Nigerian to support the cause of the South-eEast.

    “They shouldn’t think about giving South East, whatever position for giving sake. You can’t just wake up and give them any position. South East is a key primary zone in this country and if we don’t get the number one seat, we should get the number two seat.” he said

    He also blamed Oshiomhole for his predicament.

    According to him, INEC has no right to withhold his certificate of return.

    Asked why his party is not making any case for his certificate of return, he said:  “I won’t be surprise because, of course, you know the imposition we suffered in the party. When you say the party, you talk about the leadership of that party. I don’t have problem with the Working Committee of that party, I only have problem with the chairman of that party as he took it upon himself to do the wrong thing against me for just no cause and to fight a battle that he can never win.

    “No, he is the one that is behind all these impositions, can you imagine, as I speak to you the APC candidate in Imo State did not win a seat, APC does not have a councilor in Imo State now, it does not even have a House Member.

    “But the AA party has eight seats in the Imo State House of Assembly, two Federal House and they have one senator about to come to the Senate. This is why internal democracy must be respected, let the will of the people prevail rather than this imposition.

    “It is unfortunate what has happened in Imo State. At least, I have been vindicated for the fact that I said the APC candidate they are imposing on Imo people is not popular, he came from the opposition. When I was the leader of that party, when I was running the affairs of that party, we won 24 seats in the House of Assembly, we have governor, federal house members but today APC does not have because of imposition.” he said

    On the true position regarding his certificate of return, he said “As it stands today, I am just waiting patiently for the release of my certificate of return for election that I duly won, and I am hoping that INEC will release my certificate of return.

    “I have not contravened any section of the constitution and I have not done anything wrong not to be given my certificate. I pray and hope INEC would do what is just and what is right.”

    Asked if he discussed the issue with the President, Okorocha said “I don’t think that would have been necessary to do because, it’s a straight forward matter. INEC conducted election, results were declared – the returning officer declared the results and I won. Only, one week later to hear that somebody wrote a petition that he issued that declaration under duress. I say where? Was it in his private house or was it in the collation Centre?

    “If it is the collation, SSS were there, police were there, international observers, INEC officials and many others. So who actually put him under duress?” he queried

    “The man has not been able to say that. Nobody has ever sent a statement about that. But I think INEC would want to do the right thing very very soon.

    “Now in the same way, the governorship candidate of PDP never won that election because the election flouted section 179 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which says that you must have the highest votes and you must have 25 percent in two third of the local governments.

    “Now, this gentleman who was declared the winner by the same INEC, had 135,000 votes from 24 local government but had over 130,000 votes from his three local governments. Of course you know, he didn’t win that election. But even at that, we had the highest mark, the Returning Officer of INEC was never patient to even calculate to know that it was 200,000 votes cancelled and there is supposed to be a rerun.

    “Also flouting that basic constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria which says you must have 25 percent in two-third, he doesn’t have it.

    He was confident that there would be rerun election in his state.

    “So, as far as I am concern, there will be a rerun in Imo State and the Prof that did that should either be de-robed as a professor and he should be charged for that serious offence of not respecting the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria. What this means is that someday, one crazy person might just walk on the street and take one mad man, give him result sheet and declared him winner even if the man did not belong to a party.

    “And we are getting to a stage in this country that once you are declared, you are declared. This is the crazy thing that is happening in Imo State and also it happened in Okigwe zone where a loser ran away with the result sheet. The person came fifth, and is trying to return himself. Up till now as I speak to you the Okigwe senatorial seat has not been declared.

    Read also: No rift between Oshiomhole, Amaechi on Rivers, says APC

    “I don’t know what INEC is waiting for because the man who won the election they could not declare him. Now the person who ran with the result sheet, and the Prof ran away to the US, he is not back. So there is a stalemate everywhere, I think INEC should revisit Imo matter.” he stated

    He said that his relationship with the President is intact despite what has been happening in his state.

    “As a matter of fact, Buhari is a great man, he is a man of wisdom, a visionary leader. That is why you see some of us going along with him. It’s for what he has upstairs – he can see far, that is why he made that declaration in Imo State – ‘vote according to your conscience. It was in Imo state that he first use that word.   So my relationship with him is not affected in anyway.”

    On why he visited the President, he said “I came here precisely to discuss with Mr President to come and commission my projects. I have completed the construction of a new Cargo Airport Terminal, Warehouses and cargo sheds that is to be commissioned.

    “I have also completed a new police headquarters and also a new prison headquarters in Imo State. These are federal government projects built by Imo State government.

    “Another landmark project is the Justice Oputa Court – the new Imo State High Court Complex which we have built.

    “So, we have over a thousand verifiable projects to be commissioned. So I am requesting Mr President to kindly commission the federal ones and see how many of the state’s projects he could commission for me. This is precisely why I am here.” he said

  • Non-issuance of Certificate of return: Okorocha is on his own, says APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday spoke on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s decision not to issue Certificate of Return to Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha.

    The commission said it has no official position on the issue since the governor is still under suspension.

    National Publicity Secretary Mallam Lanre Issa Onilu spoke at an interactive session with reporters that the governor has also not informed the party of the problem he is having with the electoral management body probably because he is aware of his suspension.

    INEC has said it will not issue Certificate of Return to Okorocha, because, according to the commission, he was declared winner under duress by the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state.

    Asked whether the party planned to intervene in the matter, Onilu said Governor Okorocha is still under suspension, adding that until such is vacated, the party will not intervene.

    Read also: I’m not owing any bank, Okorocha insists

    “On the refusal of INEC to issue Certificate of Return to the governor, who was announced winner of the Imo West senatorial ticket, this party cannot take any action. Don’t forget that he is on suspension and as far as this party is concerned, that situation remains because there is no way we can say that somebody is on suspension and still go ahead to intervene in his case.

    “In any case, he has not even come up to inform the party of his problem because he has realised that he is on suspension. Therefore, until it is vacated, the party will now step in to intervene as a party member who has problem to resolve.”

    On whether former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Ameachi had committed anti-party activity for allegedly supporting governorship candidate of African Action Congress (AAC), Onilu said: “I will emphatically say no because if you liken it to the situation in Imo and or Ogun states, it will be wrong. In Rivers State, APC does not have any candidate and as a party, Rivers State is very important to us. The state has been in the hands of pillagers for too long.

    “If we have the opportunity of working with a party willing to abide by our principles, then it is within our right to work with such a party to ensure we free the people of Rivers State from the locust. In this case, he has not abandoned a particular candidate that belongs to the APC for a candidate of another party. They are entirely different issues and in that case, there is no anti-party. Whatever Amaechi has done is completely normal and acceptable to this party as far as working with other party is concerned.”

    On the supposed suspension of Senator Kabiru Marafa by his ward in Zamfara, Onilu said: “It s within the powers of the party executives at the ward level.

  • Okorocha on his own on non-issuance of certificate of return, says APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday reacted for the first time to the decision of the independent national Electoral Commission (INEC) not to issue certificate of return to Imo state Governor Rochas okorocha.

    It said the party has no official position on the issue since the governor is still under suspension.

    National publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Lanre Issa- Onilu, said at an interactive session with reporters that the governor has also not informed the party of the problem with the electoral management body probably because he is aware of his suspension.

    INEC has said it will not issue certificate of return to Okorocha, who was declared Senator-elect, insisting he was declared winner under duress.

    Asked whether the party planned to intervene in the matter, Issa- Onilu said Okorocha is still under suspension, adding until such is vacated the party will not intervene.

    “On the refusal of INEC to issue Certificate of Return to governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha, who was announced winner of the Imo West senatorial ticket, this party cannot take any action.

    “Don’t forget that he is on suspension and as far as this party is concerned, that situation remains because there is no way we can say that somebody is on suspension and still go ahead to intervene in his case.

    “In any case, he has not even come up to inform the party of his problem because he has realised that he is on suspension.

    “Therefore, until it is vacated, the party will now step in to intervene as a party member who has problem to resolve.”

    On whether former Rivers state governor Rotimi Ameachi had committed anti-party activity for allegedly supporting governorship of African Action Congress (AAC), Issa- Onilu said: “I will emphatically say no because if you liken it to the situation in Imo and or Ogun states, it will be wrong.

    “In Rivers state, APC does not have any candidate and as a party, Rivers state is very important to us. The state has been in the hands of pillagers for too long.

    “If we have the opportunity of working with party willing to abide by our principles, then it is within our right to work with such a party to ensure we free the people of Rivers state from the locust.

    “In this case, he has not abandoned a particular candidate that belongs to the APC for a candidate of another party.

    “They are entirely different issues and in that case, there is no anti-party. Whatever Amaechi has done is completely normal and acceptable to this party as far as working with other party is concerned.”

    Read also: Kwara PDP passes confidence vote on Saraki

    On the supposed suspension of Senator Kabiru Marafa by his ward in Zamfara, Onilu said: “It’s within the powers of the party executives at the ward level.

    “If they have good reason to take punitive action against a member that they considered to have flaunted the rules of the party.

    “In this case, we don’t have all the facts because it has not been brought to NWC attention and they don’t really need to come that far before they can take that decision.

    “Whoever that has happened to has the window to seek redress. So, we are watching to be sure that they stay within the rule.”

  • ‘INEC should issue Okorocha his Certificate of Return’

    Observer groups have berated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for withholding the Certificate of Return of Imo West Senator-elect, Rochas Okorocha.

    The groups noted that the electoral umpire is overstepping its bounds, saying it lacks the powers to stop any candidate after he or she has been declared winner.

    At a news conference in Owerri yesterday, Emmanuel Azuike of the Women Fest for Better Life Living Initiative, said the allegation of duress upon which INEC is relying to withhold Okorocha’s Certificate of Return can only be established by a court of competent jurisdiction.

    Read also: 500 Imo farmers to enjoy CBN’s input supply

    According to him, allegation by the Collation Officer, Innocent Ibeawuchi, was outrageous and criminal

    He said: “We were observers at Imo West for the Senatorial election, and we noted that the election and the entire processes were peaceful and credible. We were also at the Collation Centre at Orlu INEC office where the election results were received, and we saw that Rochas Okorocha won with a wide margin and the Retuning Officer, Prof Innocent Ibeabuchi, declared him winner.

    “The Retuning Officer, Ibeabuchi, was not under duress to announce the results whatsoever, not at gunpoint, knife point or any form of harassment. All security agencies, police, DSS, Army were there to protect him and everybody present in the collation room. For him to say he was under duress was a big lie and deceit of the highest order.

    “We, hereby, urge INEC to issue Rochas Okorocha his Certificate of Return as senator-elect of Imo West or we will go to court to compel INEC to issue the Certificate of Return.”

  • Observer groups to sue INEC over Okorocha’s Certificate of Return

    Observer Groups Monday lampooned the Independent National Electoral Commission for withholding the Certificate of Return of Imo West senator-elect, Rochas Okorocha.

    The groups noted that the electoral umpire is overstepping its bonds, adding that it lacks the powers to stop any candidate after he or she has been declared winner.

    At a press Conference in Owerri, Emmanuel Azuike of the Women Fest for Better Life Living Initiative, an Independent Observer group, said that the issue of allegation of duress upon which INEC relying on to withhold the Certificate of Return can only be established by a Court of competent jurisdiction.

    According to him, the allegation by the Collation Officer, Innocent Ibeawuchi, was not only outrageous but criminal

    He said, ”we were observers at Imo West Senatorial election and we observed that the election and the entire processes were peaceful and credible. We were also at the collation center at Orlu INEC office where the election results were received and we saw that Rochas Okorocha won with a wide margin and the Returning Officer, Prof Innocent Ibeabuchi, declared him winner”.

    He continued that, “the Returning Officer, Ibeabuchi was not under any form of duress to announce the results whatsoever, not at gunpoint, knife point or any form of harassment.”

    “All security Agencies, police, DSS, Army were there for the protection of the Returning Officer, and everybody present in the collation room.”

    “For him to say he was under duress was a big lie and deceit of the highest order.”

    “We hereby urge INEC to issue Rochas Okorocha his certificate of Return as senator-elect of Imo west senatorial zone or we will go to court to compel INEC to issue the Certificate of Return to the winner of the elections earlier declared.“

  • Okorocha to court: retrieve my Certificate of Return

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue him with a Certificate of Return as the Senator-elect for Imo West.

    The Returning Officer, Prof Francis Ibeawuchi, declared Okorocha winner of the February 23 elections having polled 97,762 votes to beat Jones Onyereri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who scored 68,117 votes.

    INEC, however, declined to issue Okorocha a Certificate of Return on the grounds that Ibeawuchi announced the results under duress.

    A suit filed by Okorocha’s lawyer, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, wants the court to grant an order compelling the INEC to issue him a Certificate of Return as the validly elected Senator for Imo West.

    Okorocha argued that having been declared winner of the election, INEC has no power to withhold his Certificate of Return.

    When the case came up yesterday, the court included Onyeriri and candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Senator Osita Izunaso, as the second and third defendants.

    While Nwafor Orizu appeared for Senator Izunaso, Onyeriri was represented by Emeka Etiaba. Mrs. Wendy Kuku represented INEC.

    Justice Taiwo Taiwo directed the plaintiff to amend the originating processes to reflect the new parties in the suit.

    Justice Taiwo also directed the defendants to file and serve their processes within 10 days, while Okorocha’s lawyer files and serve his response within three days.

    He then adjourned till April 5 for the hearing of all pending applications and the substantive suit.