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The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Nze Elvis Agukwe, who made government’s stand known at a press conference in Owerri, also said that Governor Ikedi Ohakim was not afraid of any inquiries that may be made about his activities during his tenure.
“You can imagine the level of shock with which the Governor received reports that the governor-elect, acting through his Chief of Staff, Prince Eze Madumere, has written to banks' holding the state government’s accounts, placing embargo on the accounts until Chief Okorocha is sworn in on May 29, 2011”, Agukwe fumed.
While saying that Okorocha’s action was illegal and unconstitutional, adding that there is nothing like the office of the governor-elect and the Nigerian Constitution does not recognize two governors at a time.
“The action of Chief Okorocha is already grinding government machinery to a halt. As I talk to you, civil servants in the state are becoming restive because banks, evidently acting under the instruction of Chief Okorocha, have refused to release cheques for their April salaries”, Agukwe said.
The Commissioner wondered why Okorocha was in a haste to frustrate Ohakim, even after he (Ohakim) has shown faith in the collective interest and aspiration of Imo people.
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WIHT ALL WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND OHAKIM NOW, I BELIEVE IT IS DAWN ON HIM THAT LEADERS (GOVERNORS) ARE SERVANTS AND NOT LORDS. EVEN OWELLE, THOU I LOVE HIM B/C OF HIS PHILANTHROPIC GESTURES TO THE POOR, SHOULD ALSO KNOW THAT ONE DAY HE WILL EITHER BE PRAISED AS CHIEF SAM MBAKWE OR RIDICULED AS OHAKIM
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing unconstitutional about what Okorocha has done about Imo finances. The moment he was elected governor of Imo State, series of meetings are held with top Civil servants who would have briefed him on the state of Imo government finances. Imo State receives about 4.8 billion Naira monthly from Federal allocation around the 20th of each month. Now if Ohakim is allowed to lay his hands on this large chunck of money a week before he leaves office, what do you think he would do with it? Just think like an Igbo man!
ReplyDeleteI have been following Imo politics with great interest, though I am not from there, but I like the outcome of the elections. But I am surprised at the over-zealousness of Rochas. Constitutionally he cannot assume the function of a governor until sworn in. Even a layman in law knows there can be no two governors in a state. It is a wrong start for him, and he is already providing his opponents with good grounds for criticism.
ReplyDeleteIf Rochas suspects that the out-going governor will run down the bank accounts of the state, the best thing to do is to quickly investigate the accounts, especially the transactions of the latter days of the out-going administration. And if Ohakim is implicated, he should be arrested, after all his immunity lapses immediately he hands over power.
Ikiri will soon see the one wey pass him,now na morning, dee rochas please dont give him any chance, he is a professional criminal
ReplyDeleteOkorocha has probably done nothing wrong. The fact may be that he wrote the banks, warning them of the incoming government's unreadiness to offset any debt incurred by the outgoing administration. There is no doubt that Ohakim had plunged billions of tax-payers money into his botched re-election campaign. And for the records, he was already owing some sectors in the state (health, education, amongst others) 2 months salaries before the election. So whats the fuss about?
ReplyDeleteIt amuses me that we talk of law, legality, constitutionality when it suits us. Who questioned all the brazen arrogance and illegality committed by the Imo State Government - for instance is it lawful to order people to be beaten up or flogged or to withhold council accounts? Examples abound from the presidency to the councils of illegal acts which are even to the detriment of the populace, which no one has questioned. At times certain things may be legally wrong but politically and morally expedient - Rochas has chosen to do what is politically and morally expedient based on Ohakim's antecedent. May 29th is not far and all rightfully accrued commitments including salaries will be paid by then. The caveat however is that Rochas action must in the long run, be for the common good and not to score cheap political point. I rest my case.
ReplyDeleteI am confused. Does the in-coming Governor has such powers and is it lawful for the banks to, as at now, comply with the directives of Chief Okorocha, being an in-coming Governor while the sitting Governor is still the constitutionally Chief Executive of the State. I would be delighted if my questions are answered by anybody on this forum.
ReplyDeleteWE ARE GOOD AT COMPLAINING IN EVERY THING, SACRIFICE IS NECESSARY FOR A CHANGE. THE IMO WORKERS HAVE BEEN ENDURING NON PAYMENT OF SALARIES FOR SO LONG, AN INTERVIEW WITH A TEACHER ON THE STREET WILL REVEAL THE TRUTH TO YOU. MOREOVER IF OHAKIM HAD BEEN PAYING THE CIVIL SERVANTS SALARIES, KNOWING THAT MAJORITY OF IMOLITES ARE CIVIL SERVANTS, THEN NOBODY WOULD HAD OUTWON HIM AT THE ELECTIONS. WE HAVE ONLY BUT 14 DAYS TO ENDURE FOR A CHANGE. LETS NOT BE LIKE THE TORTOISE THAT FELL INTO A SHIT-HOLE FOR MANY DAYS/WEEKS BUT WHEN TIME CAME FOR PEOPLE TO HELP HIM OUT, HE STARTED COMPLAINING BITTERLY ABOUT THE ODOUR OF SHIT HE WAS PERCEIVING. WE HAVE HAD MANY A TIME WHEN PEOPLE WILL RESUME IN THE GOVT HOUSE ONLY TO MEET EMPTY TREASURY, WE WILL NOT WANT THAT TO CONTINUE. WE ALL HAVE EXPECTED A CHANGE IN OKOROCHA'S GOVT. AND THE CHANGE HAS BEGAN. DEAR IMOLITES LET US NOT BE DECEIVED, CHIEF OHAKIM THOUGHT HE WOULD CONTINUE AFTER MAY 29, SO HE MAY NOT HAD LOOTED HIS LAST; IF THE TREASURY IS OPEN TO HIM KNOWING THAT THESE ARE HIS LAST DAYS, HE WILL DEFINITELY LOOT LEAVING THE TREASURY EMPTY. THEREFORE, WHAT OWELLE DID WAS IN THE INTEREST OF THE MASSES. MEANWHILE HE NEEDS TO BE CONGRATULATED - if at all this is not a political drum by ohakim camp to draw public sympaty.
ReplyDeleteIt is wrong for a Governor-Elect to do such a thing. This goes to show that he has bad advisers around him. All he would have done was to keep close watch and bring any information to the media for the people to know. But whatever, Ohakim has really put the state in debt situation and everything should be done to stop him from continuing. OHAKIM WAS A BAD RADIANCE TO IMO. I advise the Federal Government not to consider him for any Ministerial position, please.
ReplyDeletethis Governor elect should wait till May 29 to start his work and then we will see what he will do for the 4yrs and not put confusion in out going administration in running the government till May 29
ReplyDeleteHE HAS NO POWERS TO ISSUE SUCH ORDERS BECAUSE HE IS NOT THE GOVERNOR YET JUST A GOVERNOR ELECT
WHATSOEVER A MAN SOWETH, THAT HE SHALL REAP...Ohakim, shebi na u call urself Ikiri, it is time u reap all the wickedness and bad arrogance u have shown to ur pple ova d last 4 yrs. jostle all u want 4 a federal appointmnt, am sure GEJ wld neva have u in his federal cabinet, only a foolish president wld. this is jus d beginning of ur catastrophic end. foolish and stupid ikiri
ReplyDelete