Ihedioha has no right to issue directives to banks yet – Okorocha

Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri

Governor Rochas Okorocha has frowned at the recent order by Emeka Ihedioha directing banks not to transact business with the state government henceforth.

In a press statement he issued through his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, the governor maintained that Ihedioha does not have the right yet to dish out such orders, claiming that his interest is solely in the treasury of the state.

According to Governor Okorocha, “the media report quoting Chief Ihedioha to have given such directive is unfortunate and a sign of ugly things to come. Otherwise, Ihedioha should not have been the first, of all the governors-elect in the country to issue such directive.

“We are also not surprised at his issuing the directive because as a PDP man, his interest, first and foremost, will be the treasury of the state, and the “policy” or the slogan of “share the money” will soon come back, but he should exercise patience and wait till he is sworn-in. He shouldn’t be in a hurry.”

He reminded Ihedioha that there is still a government in place until May 29, “that government should continue to work in the interest of the state and its people and also continue to carry out programmes and policies for the same purpose, until the end of its approved life span. To begin to harass or give directives to financial institutions in the state is an act of hostility and he should know that.

Governor Okorocha however, urged the financial institutions in the state to disregard such directive and continue to do the right thing and take the right action.

He said “The general public should also disregard any publication anywhere especially on the social media attributed to Governor Rochas Okorocha which is not directly from him or from me.

“Those who won the governorship election with votes from only three local governments and their supporters have begun to do funny things just to deceive the public.

“We urge Imo people to remain calm and not to do anything that would threaten the peace of the state, especially when the attention of the world has been drawn to the inglorious role of the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the State ‘Prof.’ Francis Ezeonu in the conduct of the 2019 elections and their outcome,” Governor Okorocha stated.