The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Imo State, Sunday fired fresh salvos at the outgoing administration of Owelle Rochas Okorocha.
In a statement signed by Ray Emeana, Secretary of the party, it accused the State Government of making “hurried, belated and strange appointments designed to frustrate the incoming government of Hon.Emeka Ihedioha.
It said the outgoing Governor is appointing his cronies as members of the Imo State Judicial Service Commission barely two month left in its administration.
The party said the outgoing government is “is abusing and politicizing the Judicial Service Commission”
The full statement reads:
“The hurried, belated and strange appointments by the outgoing administration of Owelle Anayo Rochas Okorocha designed to frustrate the incoming government of the governor-elect, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha has been brought to the notice of the Imo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, Imo State.
“This latest attempt by the outgoing governor who has inflicted untold hardship on Imo people to appoint his cronies as members of the Imo State Judicial Service Commission barely two months left in its administration, is one case too many.
“It’s on record that Governor Okorocha has supervised the monumental decimation and destruction of all institutions of governance in the state since assuming office.This latest attempt is in furtherance of the series of lawless and reckless actions by the outgoing administration calculated at imposing a heavy burden on the new administration.
“The Imo State PDP hereby condemns this move as it is a political tool, calculated to impugn on the independence and sanctity of the judicial arm of government in Imo State.
“The Judicial Service Commission being the body responsible for appointment, discipline and welfare of Imo State Judicial Officers should not be used as a tool for a hurried compensation or patronage to friends and cronies as pathing gift by an outgoing government.
“Recall that the outgoing administration has an ignoble record of arbitrarily abusing the tenure and smooth operation of the Judicial Service Commission while in office. Just last year the governor illegally sacked the leadership of the Judicial Service Commission which he appointed and appointed new members before the expiration of the tenure of the serving members.
“Under this same government, members of illegally dissolved Judicial Service Commission challenged their removal in Court and got judgment against this administration. All attempts to make the Rochas Okorocha administration to respect the independence this vital and sacred organ of government failed as the government continued to disrespect valid judgments to allow the members of the JSC perform their functions freely as provided by the laws.
“The latest move to appoint new members of the JSC barely two months to hand over power to its successor, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha is a move calculated to manipulate the Imo State Judicial arm of government by the outgoing administration. The incoming administration of Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha will not be distracted by the deliberate landmines being laid before it by the outgoing administration.
“We call on Governor Okorocha as a matter of urgency to respect and implement the judgment of Justice O.Y. Anuwe of the National Industrial Court, July 2017 before rushing into another illegality.
“We also draw the attention of the Governor to the third schedule of the constitution which stipulates the appointment of people of “unquestionable character” as members of the State judicial service commission.
“We hereby assure Imo people that the incoming government Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha will respect the rule of law in respect of the Judicial Service Commission and shall strictly follow due process in the discharge of its constitutional duties when it assumes office from the 29th May, 2019.
Long Live Imo State.
Nze Ray Emeanaa
State Secretary, PDP Imo State