The Special Adviser to the Governor of Imo State on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon Chukwudi Eze Mayor, former Executive Chairman of Orlu LGA, over the weekend lampooned ex-governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha, describing him as a man who lacks knowledge of the indispensable tenets of modern democracy.
Speaking to newsmen in Owerri, the former House of Representatives member for Orlu, Oru- East and Orsu Federal Constituency, accused Okorocha of embarking on a face-saving mission, albeit mindless of the fact that Imo has since moved on, and Governor Emeka Ihedioha has stepped-up efforts to address the rots in the system, starting from restoring the local government areas, as the third tier of government.
“Ikenga Orlu” as fondly called by friends and well wishers, also advised Rochas Okorocha to take advantage of his brief stay in the senate to learn what rule of law and due process are all about before coming to Imo to discuss governance of the state. According to him, the activities at National Assembly will be totally strange to Rochas Okorocha, considering the fact that he had earlier said he has no respect for rule of law and due process which malfeasances manifested throughout his 8 years in office as governor of Imo State.
Chief Chukwudi Mayor Eze, further used the opportunity to clarify on issues bothering on the massive project execution across the 27 LGAs in the state.
He stated that apart from the ongoing stadium projects in most of the council headquarters and other projects such as Hospitals, distribution of transformers to rural areas, every council Chairman in Imo now has Hilux Ford Ranger vehicles, bought by the chairmen themselves at the cost of N18 million each.
He described the development as an indication that the LGAs are back to life, saying, “well positioned to address the needs of the rural dwellers”,insisting that, this is the first time after a long time, “the council Chairmen are allowed to execute projects while making sure that the people of the area nominate indigenous contractors to handle such projects”.
When asked why the chairmen decided to buy new official vehicles, when it is barely less than a year, after the former council Chairmen bought brand new Hilux vans for their offices, Hon Eze urged the public to enquire in whose names those vehicles were bought. According to him, the Okorocha may have bought the vehicles in his personal names, making it difficult for the Jasper Ndubuaku led recovery team, to do the needful.
He boasted that the 27 vehicles and others bought under Ihedioha administration are in the name of the LGAs, parastatals and ministries and must remain as the property of the state, even after the tenure of the present administration must have elapsed.
On Okorocha’s probe, Eze simply reiterated that “the guilty are afraid”. He advised the ex-governor to stop throwing muds and face the music. “In Ihedioha’s administration, you can see a whole lot of former lawmakers. The government is anchored on rule of law and has engaged seasoned legislators to help achieve the rebuild agenda. This is why the ex-governor could have a field day in Imo and insult his successor in such an unruly manner. However, Okorocha should not take democrats like us for granted because we know how to size him”, Eze stated.
