A group known as Coalition of Imo Patriots has taken Gov. Rochas Okorocha and his government to the cleaners for attacking the former minister of Interior, Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho, and other Imolites for daring to condemn his alleged tyrannical style and failures of his rescue mission government in the state.

In a statement jointly signed by the President and Secretary of the Coalition, Sir Isidore Mgbeahurukwe and Nkechi Madu N. (Mrs.) respectively that was made available to newsmen in Owerri, the group decried a situation where “a man elected to protect and enhance the welfare of the people has turned to persecutor and oppressor of the same people.”

The group in the statement entitled ‘Attack on Iheanacho: When Will Okorocha Stop Fooling Ndi-Imo’, strongly maintained that Okorocha’s attack on prominent Imolites that have chosen to fight on the side of the people could be a diversionary tactics employed by the governor to continue fooling the people amidst the failures and atrocities of his government.

The statement reads: “We have closely observed with utter dismay the relaunched attack on Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho by Imo State Governor as orchestrated and ingloriously amplified by his half-baked and untrained media aide, Sam Onwuemedo.

“We are not unaware that the Emekuku-born oil mogul and shipping magnate may have rattled Okorocha and his government with his recent interview published by Daily Sun which evidently captured failures and tyrannical style of his government.

“Capt. Iheanacho returned to his business after the conduct and shocking outcome of the 2015 elections in Imo State. He has ultimately carved a niche for himself through hard work and determination having nurtured and raised his businesses to great outfits that presently contribute to the national economy.

“It is undisputedly clear that Capt. Iheanacho’s foray into politics was strictly propelled by his desire and appetite to right the wrongs in Imo. He strongly believes that Imo could be economically and socially retraced to the right track if responsible people are elected into sensitive positions of authority and trust.

“The legal action taken by Capt. Iheanacho challenging the senseless destruction of his Orlu Road residence by Okorocha and his government remains the only legitimate action a responsible and patriotic Nigerian can take in the face of oppression, tyranny, lawlessness, anarchy and non-adherence to due process and rule of law. He strongly believes that the judiciary which remains the last hope for a common man shall rise to save Ndi-Imo from the lawlessness of Okorocha and his devouring agents.

“While we roundly condemn Okorocha’s many attacks on Capt. Iheanacho and other well-meaning Imolites with courage and audacity to publicly confront him with records of his failures and numerous atrocities, we also wish to remind the governor that a day shall come when he will surely give account of his stewardship.

“There is no gainsaying that Okorocha has earned notoriety for himself as he continues to run Imo aground. This is as several billions of Naira have been siphoned via failed and dubious contracts. His government has economically displaced thousands of Ndi-Imo from their legitimate means of livelihood following aimless destruction of properties in Owerri by his government. Imo workers are presently facing excruciating hardship as the governor refuses to pay their salaries and entitlements. The pensioners are dying on daily basis owing to obvious neglect and government inability to pay their pensions. The 27 LGAs are completely decimated as their allocations are diverted and pocketed by the governor. This is as the governor has massively borrowed to destroy even the future.

“It is unfortunate that the governor has continued his fraud believing that Ndi-Imo are fools. He attacks anyone that condemns his style of governance and tyranny. This is a man that mesmerised his people with what he called fourth tier government also christened Community Government Council (CGC). After winning election using the CGC as a political instrument, he returned with what he has today called State Development Council (SDC). Is SDC replacing CGC or another gimmick to further fool Ndi-Imo?

“The governor's disregard for due process and planning has reduced governance to mere jamboree in Imo State. This largely accounts for why all his programmes collapsed. Can Okorocha explain what happened to Health-At-Your-Door-Step, Ikuola Nkwu and Back-to-Land programmes? What happened to his so-called gigantic projects? The Prince and Princess hotels, Akachi Towers, AMA JK Multiple Car Park, 27 General Hospitals and Imo European University that have all gulped several billions of taxpayer’s money? Who owns the Imo European university? What happened to Ada Palm he renamed Imo Palm Plantation, Nsu Ceramic Tiles, and Avutu Poultry farm he claimed to have revived?

“It is unfortunate that even the 15 kilometers rural roads the governor claimed to have built remains a hoax as the roads were largely abandoned. The Osemotor Marine University project used to divert the 13% Oil Derivation is still a mirage. The Federal Government sponsored Universal Basic Education Commission-UBEC primary school blocks in 305 INEC wards were never realised. Imo State University is today barred from admitting students into law faculty, medicine, nursing, engineering and other relevant courses for loosing accreditation. Yet, the governor claims to be running free education programme in the state. Imo is today burdened with huge debts. According to records from Debt Management Office, Imo ranks among states with huge debts as a result of massive bank loans. This is as the governor has failed to explain how he spent bailout, ecological and floods relief funds so far received by his government.

“It is inconceivable that a man elected to protect and enhance the welfare of the people has turned to persecutor and oppressor of the same people. Beside waging war against Ndi-Imo, Okorocha’s actions and inactions have completely destroyed Imo. The governor whom before his first election in 2011 had no traceable means of livelihood has become richer that the state he governs. It is unbelievable that these are happening in the hitherto progressive state Dee Sam Mbakwe laid a solid foundation for its socio-economic growth.

“While applauding Capt. Iheanacho’s courage and disposition to fight on the side of the people, we also implore the governor to stop dancing naked in the market square hence he can’t continue fooling Ndi-Imo. The judgment day is fast approaching. A word is enough for the wise.”

•Photo shows Governor Okorocha.

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