BY SAM ONWUEMEDO
We have read the publication with the referenced caption. And we could only feel pity for the elements behind the gimmick.
We know those behind all these balderdash. They are the displaced politicians from Imo State who have regrouped in Abuja thinking that the best way to see if they could come back to power in 2019 is by marketing falsehood against Governor Rochas Okorocha.
In 2011, Rochas Okorocha and the people of Imo State took over power from those who had held the state and her people down for 12years. And with the people of the state too, they were stopped in 2015 when they thought they could use intimidation and harassment to take over power again.
And having stayed out of power for 6years now without the usual GALA nights they had had on daily basis with MOET, XOs and other expensive drinks, it is like to them, a joke taken too far. And they have imagined what the situation would look like if they miss it in 2019. That is the reason for all these cock and bull stories.
Rochas Okorocha is one of the least travelled governors. He has more than one thousand projects done by his administration and he spends most of his times to supervise or inspect them, so much that, the appointees would at times appeal to him to make out time to rest since man is neither stone nor firewood. And those behind the blackmail would have come up with facts and figures to authenticate their claim and to be taken serious.
These people are petty and also pregnant with envy. Rochas Okorocha’s predecessor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim had his junior brother Emma Ohakim as Chief of Staff, but Uche Nwosu, Chief of Staff to Governor Okorocha is from Nkwerre LGA. And his only sin is that he is an inlaw to the governor.
These people didn’t build anybody, but Rochas is building people. Chief Rotimi Amaechi was speaker like Chief Noel Agwuocha, Godfrey Dikeocha, Kelechi Nwagwu and Nnemeka Maduagwu under PDP governors in the state, but Chief Amaechi later became governor for 8years and today, he is a minister. But Noel Agwuocha, Godfrey Dikeocha, Kelechi Nwagwu and indeed Nnaemeka Maduagwu could not be allowed to go beyond the House of Assembly by those they served.
Senator Mamora of Lagos State was also speaker the same time and later went to the Senate. Chief Achike Udenwa with due respect, could not push or support any of those who served him to succeed him. He wanted someone outside the political family and when the heat became unbearable, he had to settle for Ikedi Ohakim of PPA then.
Nze Ignatius Umunna served as the Secretary to the Government under Chief Udenwa and he retired from there. Chief Cosmos Iwu and Later, Chris Okewulonu respectively served in that capacity too under Chief Ohakim and they went home from there. But Prof. Anthony Anwuka served in the same position under Rochas Okorocha and from there, became a minister. Rochas has refused to be analogue but chosen to be a digital governor and they are not finding such lofty development funny. And if this is what it takes to be nepotistic, then Owelle is one, to the glory of God.
None of those who served the PDP governors in the state for the 12years in question could be helped to go to the Senate or House of Representatives or to become a minister. The Vice President today was Attorney General in Lagos State. Tunde Fashola, T.A. Orji, Prof. Ayade, Nyesom Wike were all political appointees and see where they are today. But in Imo, these selfish political leaders never considered their appointees fit to rise.
Prince Eze Madumere was Chief of Staff under Rochas. Today, he is the Deputy Governor. If they were to be Rochas, they would have seen him as their boy who should not be considered for such exalted office. Benjamine Uwajumogu was speaker under Okorocha and he is today in the Senate. Hon. Chike Okafor was commissioner under Rochas, and today he is in the House of Representatives. Prof. Anwuka was Secretary to the Government, and today, a minister. They are envious of Rochas Okorocha. Rochas is an enigma. QUED.
Of course, Rochas is doing what they could not do and they are writing all these frivolities against him.
Some of them have been running for governorship since 2003 and they are still nursing the ambition because they find it difficult to throw their weight behind any of their followers to run. Either them or no one else.
Lies are their stocks in trade. They do not tell the truth. For instance, the chairman of Imo Transport Company (ITC) is Prince Lasbery Okoroafor Anyanwu from Oru East LGA but they said it is Okey Okorocha. This is not the kind of lie we should be reacting to, every day.
The truth is that Imo people are waiting for them in 2019. Rochas’ achievements have exposed their inefficiency and failure for the 12years they held sway. They have nothing to tell Imo people. Hence, their resort to cheap blackmail and propaganda, which is neither here nor there.
Sam Onwuemeodo is Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.
