Anthony Iwuoma
A former Governor Rochas Okorocha of lmo State has attacked incumbent Governor Hope Uzodinma, saying he (Uzodimma) did not possess democratic credentials.
Okorocha, who is now the Senator, representing Imo West senatorial District, described the Imo government as a caricature of what a state government should be.
Speaking in a press release signed by his Special Adviser Media, Sam Onwuemeodo, and made available to newsmen in Owerri, Okorocha said: “Imo State and her people have not known peace since Chief Uzodinma became governor. They have only been hearing stories of killings, arson, kidnapping, invasion, rituals. What they never witnessed when the righteous ones were in power or on the throne.
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“Governor Uzodinma and his government have become itching experiences Imo people won’t forget in a hurry. The government has made Imo people see their ears with their eyes. And the daily prayer on the lips of every sincere Imo man or woman has been, “may this nauseating cup run over.”
“During my governorship for 8 years, militancy was a big issue in the oil-producing areas of Ohaji, Egbema and Oguta. I didn’t begin to supervise the killings. As a leader of his people, I employed and deployed diplomacy and got that problem solved.
“But under Governor Uzodinma, the killing of Imo people seems to have become the rule, instead of the exception. And the government is not regretting the killings, but only labouring to justify them.
“Under my administration, the opposition was encouraged to function unhindered. Every part of the state was alive and bubbling. Today, no part of the state is functioning. They are after the opposition. And they are not humble about their cluelessness and ineptitude.”
Gov Uzodinma had through his Information Commissioner, Mbadiwe Emelumba, said Okorocha ordered the killing of the 11-year old boy during the relocation of the Ekeukwu market in Owerri.
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However, Okorocha said Uzodinma’s reference to the news of the 11-year-old boy, Somtochukwu who was killed when his administration was relocating the EkeUkwu market to justify the mindless and gruesome murder of innocent youths, men, women, and traditional rulers under the current administration exposes Uzodinma as one on a mission to destroy and not to build.
Okorocha accused Uzodinma of failing to tell the prople the co-relation between the relocation of the Ekeukwu market and the death of Somtochukwu.
The former governor added that Uzodinma was trying to use intimidation and deceit to explain away the traumatic experience his government has brought to Imo people, saying it shall fail.