BY RALPH EJIMKONYE
Governor Hope Uzodinma, Wednesday, vowed that his administration, “will take all needful actions to protect the rights of all Imo people”
Reacting to threats by sacked local government chairmen and Councillors during Rochas Okorocha regime, that they will take over the headquarters of the 27 LGAs on Nov 30, the State government said “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”
State Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General, C.O.C Akaolisa in a statement, 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”
He recalled that former Governor Rochas Okorocha had in 2011 without regard for Democratic principles and practice and in total disrespect for the wish and desire of Imo Local Government Chairmen and Councilors in the 27 local Government Areas in the State dissolved the council chairmen
“The dissolved Local Government Chairmen proceeded to the High Court and in a landmark judgement, the Imo State High Court presided over by the Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice B.A Njemanze nullified the said dissolution and upheld the right of the Chairmen to remain in office and complete their tenure.This judgement and consequential orders were not obeyed by the Rochas Anayo Okorocha administration leading to the matter going before the Court of Appeal”
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