*Ex Governor’s Spokesman Reacts*
*APC Chieftain, Akaolisa Kicks*
The social media has been abuzz over parting gifts by outgoing Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha to his predecessor, Ikedi Ohakim.
Ohakim received the Imo Merit Award from Okorocha and a duplex. The duplex were also given to former Governors of the State, Late Sam Mbakwe and Achike Udenwa.
Pictures which surfaced online showed the Imo Governor taking Ohakim round the Imo Hall of fame.Reactions have trailed the event as Imolites took to the social media to react on the development.
Ohakim is known to have strongly criticized Okorocha’s policies and programmes during his eight years in office.
But Barr C.O.C Akaolisa, a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, APC in Imo State, described the award on the former Governor as shocking.
In post on this newspaper whatsapp platform, Akaolisa wrote “ As for Ohakim, he is at liberty to forgive Rochas but dining and wining with him is a shock to me”
Reacting to the issue, Ohakim’s Chief Press Secretary, Collins Ughalla described the Imo Merit Award conferred on Ohakim as well deserved.
He said the House given to Ohakim by Governor Okorocha was not a personal gift from the outgoing Governor but part of Ohakim’s entitlement as a former Governor of the State.
Ughalla said that Ohakim received the Imo Merit award based on the fact that Okorocha has recognized Ohakim as one who performed when the latter served the State as Governor.
He said Okorocha now believes that indeed Ohakim performed creditably when he was Governor, stating that the Imo Merit Award is recognized by law as approved by the Imo State House of Assembly.