A former governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim, has been urged to spare the people of the state and Nigerians, in general, pedantic ways, but get himself busy and allow the state government concentrates on delivering dividends of democracy to the people.
In a release issued by Chief Press Secretary to Governor Rochas Okorocha, Sam Onwuemeodo, the state government said rather than engage Ohakim in exchange of words on the pages of ne3wspaper, it would focus on its people-oriented programmes.
The statement read: “We have read the latest media outing against Governor Rochas Okorocha by the Former Governor of the state, Chief Ikedi Ohakim published in the media which he also presented as a letter, to the Imo governor.
“In his story, the Former Governor as usual said so many things, but could not fault our repeated claim that the achievements of Governor Rochas Okorocha so far have surpassed the achievements of all those who had governed the state before him put together. We have always made bold to say this. And we stand to be challenged.
“The truth is that we can no longer afford to be spending our projects-oriented time replying the Former Governor. If he meant well, he should have been coming to meet with his successor to discuss issues as stakeholders in the state, instead of this campaign of calumny. When he wrote the first letter and raised certain issues, we responded by publishing the monumental achievements of Rochas Okorocha in less than six years as governor, which took several pages and we were able to name the projects and their locations and also took that opportunity to show that Chief Ohakim’s outing as governor was never a success story. He never reacted to say we had told lies because he knew we were on the sides of truth and posterity.
“We do not know how Chief Ohakim feels today when he enters Owerri and sees that it has become a new city with eight-lane roads, in-land roads, tunnels and flyovers, and even the new Government House that had shanties when he held sway. Infact, in an ideal clime, Chief Ohakim should be celebrating Rochas Okorocha for achieving so much or doing the things he didn’t think about during his time.
“Rochas Okorocha runs people-oriented government, with some of the elite having grudges and his approach could not be the same with a regime that took delight in flogging indigenes including a priest. The Political – Will he could not exercise then, Governor Rochas Okorocha is today demonstrating it to a large extent and to the glory of God.
“The free education programme has become a huge success. The school enrollment has gone from 280,000 in 2011 to more than 800,000 with the state leading in JAMB applications since 2012. There is an infrastructural revolution in the state. The Rescue Mission Government has made Orlu and Okigwe cities. There is no aspect of governance in the state Rochas has not achieved more than ninety percent. The elite said his roads were china roads, but the former governor could not construct any, even “Ikeduru or Mbaise” road.
“He talked about Dr. Cletus Ilomuanya, and we have repeatedly challenged anybody in possession of any Court Judgement reinstating him as the traditional ruler of Obinugwu community after his removal and a new Eze installed, to publish the judgement but all to avail. It has only become a blackmail tool. And the former governor deposed an Eze, HRH Eze Ohanweh for just expressing sympathy for Senator Ifeanyi Ararume.
“The former governor has also found COREN as a blackmail platform. The flyovers built by the Rescue Mission Government are of high standard or quality and were handled by reputable companies. Does it not call for question that “COREN” has not shown the report on which they have been making some worrisome media comments on the flyovers.
“They said they had written to the governor and it is not true. If they were sincere, they would have first commended the governor for the two gigantic flyovers, and then come up with whatever could be their argument. And their talking about EFCC or ICPC on issue like that, speaks volume of where they were coming from and where they intend to go.
“The former governor admitted that Rochas has done exceptionally well and we are proud of that, when he wrote, “I marvel each time you are reported as saying that your achievements surpass those of all the 13 previous governors put together. Exactly what do you mean? Are you aware that the combined current balance of all revenues that have accrued to your administration in only six years is in excess of N982 billion.
“ In other words, the former governor admitted that the governor has excessively and extensively worked. And he was only trying to offer an excuse for the ugly tale of his own outing-by talking about revenues which can also be verified to show he was not factual.
“Again, we have decided not to be replying any former governor who cannot say what he did with his governorship in the state. We are fond of talking about our achievements and we can only be replying anybody who has the story of achievements to tell.
“The former governor with due respect, should also tell his audience why four years after his governorship, his party’s delegates to the governorship primary of 2015 in Owerri could not even vote for him to come second, he came third, with a wide margin between him and the man who came second.
“The elite should allow the silent majority in the state enjoy the dividends of democracy which the governorship of Owelle Rochas Okorocha has brought to them in quantum.
“In Imo today, the “Political war” is between the elite and the masses, with Rochas Okorocha on the side of the masses for the good of the state. And there is nothing anybody can do about that. Indeed, 2019, which is the reason for all these tales, will be very easy for APC because it is going to be achievements versus story – telling. To God be the glory,” the statement said.