–Says He Weeps For Imo State
In what many have described as a surprising twist of events that can be likened to speaking from different sides of the mouth, a former Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has promised to discuss with leaders and stakeholders in Imo State, ahead of the November, 11, governorship election with a view to ensuring that the best candidate emerges victorious.
Okorocha, the immediate past Senator for Imo West Senatorial District, while speaking at the birthday ceremony of the National Secretary and Imo State Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Senator Samuel Anyanwu (Samdaddy) at the latter’s country home, Obodo, Amamo, in Ikeduru Local Government Area, expressed regret at the alarming level of insecurity in Imo State which he said, has become worrisome.
‘’I weep for our dear state because we have never had it this bad. The security of lives and property which should be the cardinal responsibility of every government that worth’s its onion has become completely non-existent in Imo. People are now killed like rats while those that are alive, can hardly sleep with their two eyes closed. Can you imagine that I spent 2 days in Enugu State without any problem or security breach, only for those who brought me here to be attacked on their way back to Enugu State’’.
He recalled that after spending two days in Enugu State where he went for the burial of the wife of former Senate Ken Nnamani the Governor of Enugu State, sent a convoy with security details to take him to Imo State. They dropped him at his Sabat Estate premises, they were attacked on their way back to Enugu by gunmen who eventually killed one of the police men sent to escort him to Owerri.
‘’Honestly I am weeping for our people because our dear state has lost its glory in the hands of incapable people, who lack what it takes to offer purposeful governance’’.
‘’The task of redeeming and salvaging our state is a collective responsibility that cannot be achieved by one person. To this end, I will in no distant time hold a meeting with the political gladiators in the state, including the former Governor, Achike Udenwa, Chief Ifeanyi Ararume, Ikedi Ohakim among others. Thereafter, we will tell Imo people who to vote for, come November, 11’’.
‘’This is very necessary because we must recover our state. Most of those canvassing to be Governor lack what it takes to deliver the dividends of democracy, what more ensuring the security of lives and property’’.
He also used the opportunity to dispel speculations that he has endorsed a particular governorship candidate.
‘’Some of my political sons and members of the Rescue Mission family have been running helter skelter based on speculations that I have defected to another party. I want to tell them to remain calm and await further directive. I have neither endorsed nor defected to any political party. When the time comes, I will make my stand known and that will be after my meeting with political leaders in Imo Sate’’.
Recall, that Senator Okorocha on several occasions during his 8 year tenure as Governor of Imo State, boasted at different fora that he had ‘’retired’’ all political gladiators in Imo State.
His recent statement which tends to recognize the clout and political relevance of those he claimed to have retired has been given many interpretations by political pundits based on their respective inclinations.
