The Senator Representing lmo West Senatorial District, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, was on Sunday morning attacked aboard an Abuja-bound Air Peace destined for Abuja, according to a report that has gone viral.

According to the report, “Eze Cletus Ilomuanya aboard Air Peace flight to Abuja this morning accosted Sen. Rochas Okorocha sitting next to him, exploded with so much rage and royal anger. What started as a mellow drama, all of a sudden snowballed into a full fledged confrontation inside the aircraft, as the charismatic popular Royal father descended on Okorocha with his walking stick. If not the timely intervention of the flight Captain who rushed out when Ilomuanya was hitting Okorocha with his Royal walking stick to leave his sight, the story would have been something else. The embattled former Governor was visibily rattled and shaken to his bone marrow. Okorocha was hastily relocated to another seat even as Eze Ilomuanya was heard warning him to stay away from Orlu if he truly wants peace to reign. This is the second time I have seen the proponent of iberiberism deeply humbled.”

News Express could not reach Eze Ilomuanya, who was deposed by Okorocha during his days as Imo Governor but reinstated but Okorocha’s successor, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, but a credible source close to him said: “I’ve spoken with HRH, Eze Ilomuanya, about an hour ago and he confirmed it to me. So it is true.”

Contacted by News Express, Okorocha’s Special Adviser on Media, Sam Onwuemeodo, forwarded a statement which he signed and much of which reads:

“While others were in the Church worshipping the Almighty God, one of the “Sadducees” was busy posting or circulating what he felt was a breaking news. And his target was Okorocha.

“But in trying to malign Okorocha, he succeeded or ended up in “crucifying” Cletus llomuanya.

“Again, (emphasis), in their sleepless or relentless attempts to get at Senator Rochas Okorocha, they succeed in inflicting deep cuts on Cletus llomuanya.

“We would not have bothered for a reaction, if llomuanya or any of his aides, had swiftly reacted to say, whether the reported incident happened or not. And if it happened, what really transpired.

“The little minded element behind the story, wrote, “....Eze Cletus llomuanya aboard Air Peace flight to Abuja this morning, accosted Sen. Rochas Okorocha sitting next to him, and exploded with so much rage and royal anger against Okorocha”.

“If Senator Okorocha had seen his brother llomuanya and chose to sit close to him, that action should be highly commended and applauded.

“It showed that Okorocha had behaved not only as a Christian, but as a Statesman. It showed that he had nothing personal against llomuanya.

“And if llomuanya had paid Okorocha back or had negatively reacted to such kind gestures, by “accosting Okorocha and exploding with so much rage and royal anger”, one would not be wrong to describe such attitudes as disgraceful, unfortunate, condemnable, embarrassing, ungodly, indecent and unexpected from someone who had led the lmo State Council of Traditional Rulers.

“ln other words, he had showed he was not a good Ambassador of the state.

“Part of the report or story was also that llomuanya, “confronted Okorocha and also descended on Okorocha with his walking stick...and Okorocha hastily relocated to another seat”.

“Again, if llomuanya could confront Okorocha to the extent of hitting Okorocha with his walking stick and Okorocha not retaliating, but hastily relocated to another seat, we would only say that, Okorocha had acquitted himself very well as a two term former of lmo state, now a sitting Senator and a worthy Ambassador of the state and the nation. He had shown character worthy of emulation.

“And while llomuanya’s actions, could again be described as disgraceful, unfortunate, regrettable and thuggery on Air. And should be condemned by all men and women of decency.

“The whole scenario had, once more, confirmed Okorocha’s peaceful dispositions. His penchant or love for peace. His principle of live and let others live. And that was why, as lmo Governor for 8 years, he never had any personal confrontation with any one. He never chased or pursued or chastised his critics. Rather, he loved them.

“llomuanya could also appreciate the maturity Okorocha exhibited and apologise to him since by “strength shall no man prevail”.

“We are also aware or not unmindful of the fact that, those who want appointments in the camphope government in the state or those who want to be reinstated as traditional rulers or those who want to return as chairmen of the state council of Traditional Rulers, have told themselves that the easiest way or method to adopt to achieve their aims or ambitions, would be to insult or attack Okorocha, leveraging on the hostility of the government in the state now, against Okorocha and his family. But time is of great essence in human endeavours. ln other words, time will tell.”

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