Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, returned to the country on Tuesday as rumours of his ill health and purported death spread across the state.

Okorocha’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, said in a statement: “With gratitude to God almighty, we have the pleasure to inform the good people of the State and all men and women of goodwill, that the people’s governor, His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha, is back from his economic trip overseas hale and hearty.

“As we write, the governor is in Abuja and by the grace of God, he will come into Owerri on Thursday August 25, 2016 to the glory of God.

“For now, we only have reasons to thank God for granting the governor journey mercy and to also thank him specifically for ensuring that the wish of the wicked ones over the hardworking governor of the state didn’t prevail, but only the wish of God prevailed over the governor.

“It is however left for those behind the wicked rumours to cover their ugly and wicked faces in shame.

“To Imo people, the governor remains diametrically appreciative of their prayers. All in all, to God be the glory.”

News Express report that Okorocha had suddenly disappeared from public view, with no explanation offered by his media aides and the State Government – even upon enquiry. Government House sources informed News Express that during his absence the Governor sought treatment in India.

Mr. Onwuemeodo had failed to clear the air when News Express contacted him on Saturday as news spread that Okorocha acted strange in the office the previous day after allegedly seeing a ghost.

Governor Okorocha has been in the eye of the storm for several months. He is currently being battled by organised labour and by Owerri indigenes. While he provoked workers by cutting office days to three per week and decreeing that Thursday and Friday should be spent on the farm, he has, at the same time, been accused by Owerri indigenes of being desperate to erase their cultural heritage – a situation which they have vowed to fight with the last drop of their blood.

•Photo shows Governor Okorocha fielding questions from newsmen at the airport.

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