BY EBERE EKECHI
There appears no end in sight over the planned take over of the headquarters of the 27 local governments in Imo State by sacked Chairmen and Councillors elected during the reign of former governor Rochas Okorocha.
Despite warning by the State government to the chairmen of the consequences of taking laws into their hands, the Chairmen seem determined to carry on with their plans.
To signify their determination, they have submitted a letter to the State Commissioner of Police, Isaac Akinyode, informing him of their resolution to return to their various offices across the 27 LGAs on November 30.
Spokesman of the sacked Chairmen, Obinna Chinwe said they are heading back to the Council headquarters in the 27 local governments headquarters, in accordance with the Federal High Court judgment which had ruled in their favour as duly elected Chairmen of the local governments.
However, the Imo State government, Wednesday warned the Chairmen of the consequences of their intended action.
In a statement signed by the State Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General of the State, C.O.C Akaolisa, he vowed that the present administration, “will take all needful actions to protect the rights of all Imo people”
“Those who attempt to take the laws into their hands, or seek to breach the peace will only be doing so at their own risk” Akaolisa warned.
The Commissioner added that “this administration will respect the rights of all Imo citizens but will also defend the integrity of our judicial process and the courts. We therefore advise the Rochas Okorocha Chairmen to await the outcome of their matters at the Imo State High Court, the Court of Appeal and the matter at the Supreme Court.
He noted that “the Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma administration has not dissolved any elected local government Council in Imo State. We shall neither be pressured nor blackmailed into succumbing to the antics of any person on matters legitimately before the courts”
He recalled that the Court of Appeal, Owerri had ordered “a stay of Execution in respect of the judgement obtained by the Rochas Okorocha imposed Chairmen against the Ihedioha caretaker Committee at the Federal High Court, Owerri”
READ ALSO