N338bn bailout: Benue, Imo diverted funds - ICPC report

Benue and Imo states allegedly diverted money meant for the payment of workers’ salaries. This is according to a report by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, which monitored how states spent the N338bn bailout fund given to them by the Federal Government.

ICPC Chairman, Mr. Ekpo Nta

The report was signed by Mustapha Hussain on behalf of the Commissioner, Public Enlightenment. It was released on Friday in Abuja.

It will be recalled that Buhari had last year approved the sum of N338bn for 27 states that were unable to pay salaries. Some of the states had been unable to pay over 10 months’ salary arrears and pensions.

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, who heads the National Economic Council, had explained that the loan is repayable at an interest rate of nine per cent over a 20-year period and it is “solely for the purpose of paying the backlog of salaries.”

However, the report  issued by the ICPC on Friday showed that Benue and Imo states were found wanting, while a few other states were found to still be owing salaries, an indication that the funds may have been mismanaged.

The report comes less than a month after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arrested the Principal Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Pascal Obi and two others — Uzoho Casmir and Iheoma Kenneth — who were described by the EFCC as the director of finance and treasurer respectively.

The fresh report by the ICPC states that, “Imo State applied for and received bailout funds of N26, 806, 430, 000.00 from the Central Bank of Nigeria which were domiciled with two commercial banks namely Fidelity and Zenith banks. In the course of analysis, it was discovered that some transfers were made into certain Imo State Government accounts which are not related to salaries and emoluments are as follows: N2bn paid into a Government Account; N2bn into an Imo State Project account; N2bn transferred into microfinance bank; and a management fee of N21, 017, 810.00 was paid into an unspecified account.”

According to the report, Benue State received over N12bn that was meant for the payment of salaries but mysteriously paid over N70m into the account of the Office of the Deputy Governor.

The report states, “In Benue State, the total debt accrued from staff salaries and emoluments amounted to N12, 503, 439, 787. 48. The state received N12, 503, 439, 787.48 as bailout fund and disbursed N10, 852, 536, 702.96 with a balance of N1, 650, 903, 084.52. Analysis of the documents submitted revealed a double payment of N37, 760, 000.00 in favour of the Office of the Deputy Governor. This double payment is presently being investigated.”

In the case of Osun State, the ICPC stated that the state received N34.9bn as bailout and it disbursed N16.3bn. However, the report adds that the commission is investigating allegations that the state had not paid salaries since July 2015.

“The commission is verifying allegations that Osun State public servants have only been paid salaries up to July 2015,” the report states.

The media aide to Osun State Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, when contacted said he could not speak where he was and asked our correspondent to send him a text.

Replying the text, Okanlawon wrote, “The story that Punch should be interested in is, what has become of all those petitions when their petitioners are asked to come  forward to substantiate their petitions?

“Punch should find out and report to the world what is ICPC’s rating of Aregbesola in handling of Osun finances and not only about bailout. If anything, Aregbesola would be awarded medals for prudent and creative  managment of meagre resources to achieve the greatest good for the greatest  number of the Osun people.

“What Punch should tell the world is the motive of the faceless petitioners who when called to defend their claims, vanished. In what way is that different from the usual blackmail all aimed at distracting his government?

“This is not the first time idle hands would claim in the media that have petitioned against Aregbesola. It is all to score cheap political points.”

However, the Consultant to Osun State Government on Information, Mr. Sunday Akere, had said in an interview with our correspondent that the allegation that the governor diverted the bailout fund was baseless.

He said this in a reaction to the allegation by the Peoples Democratic Party that the governor diverted the fund.

Akere said the state government used the bailout for the purpose it was meant while challenging the opposition party to seek clarification from the workers.

He said, “The PDP in Osun does not merit any response. They issue releases just to let the people out there know that they are still around. They are doing this to draw attention to themselves.

“They always display their ignorance despite  that they have moles in the system.  They should ask their moles . The bailout covered December 2014 to June 2015 and we have paid these. Pension was not part of the bailout and despite this, we paid pensioners.”

However, the Osun State chapter of the APC in a statement issued  by its spokesperson, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, last  Wednesday appealed to the Federal Government to give the state and others having difficulties in paying their workers a fresh bailout.

The statement read,  “We are therefore appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government to help the affected states out of this crisis.

“We are approaching an emergency on this crisis, because not only is the crisis spreading like wild fire across states, it is assuming a dimension that would seriously affect the economy of the country.”

“To avoid an emergency that could create difficulties for the economy in the next decade, the Federal Government must address the problem now, even it means having recourse to our reserves.

“What was cynically thought to be an Osun problem is now suddenly a national emergency which the Federal Government can ill afford to ignore.

‘We cannot play the ostrich in a situation as critical as this.

“Those politicians who only few months ago were mocking the state of Osun and cynically offering their salaries to pay workers in Osun have suddenly become quiet now that their own states are owing between six and 10 months’ salaries, especially in Bayelsa.”

N338bn bailout: Benue, Imo diverted funds - ICPC report

PDP members fight in Imo

Members of the Peoples Democratic Party in Imo State engaged in a free for all on Saturday at the party secretariat in Owerri.

PDP

The fracas started when a faction of the party led by Chief Nnamdi Anyaehie disrupted a meeting of the Caretaker Committee led by Vitalis Okafor.

Okafor, whose Caretaker Committee was inaugurated on January 29, 2016 to pilot the affairs of the party for three months, had hardly settled down for business with his members when the Nnamdi Anyaehie-led faction stormed the secretariat and attempted to chased everybody away.

Member of the clashing factions were later dispersed by armed policemen manning the secretariat after which Anyaehie and his supporters drove away in a long convoy.

After the fight, during which many people sustained injuries, the police cordoned off the premises.

Okafor told journalists later that Anyaehie was responsible for the avoidable confusion within the party, accusing him of scheming to perpetuate himself in office.

He said the meeting was convened to brief members of the party on the latest development in the legal battle between his committee and the Anyaehie faction.

Okafor said Anyaehie’s tenure had since expired as pronounced by the Party’s National Executive Council, which  subsequently installed his caretaker  committee to preside over the affairs  of the party for three months.

He said, “The people of the state and the PDP have rejected them because they have failed; yet, they do not want to read the writing on the wall.”

Okafor, however, advised members of the party to remain calm and law abiding and to go to their various LGAs and spread the news that the Anyaehie-led executive had been rejected.

“It is regrettable that somebody, who parades himself as a party Chairman could engage thugs to disrupt a meeting  authorised by the National  Publicity  Secretary of our party, Chief Oliseh Metu.’’

Anyaehie could not be reached for comments as he has failed to pick his calls or return calls.

PDP members fight in Imo

Okorocha wants NLC to shelve protest over workers’ suspension

Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha has appealed to the state and National Leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) to shelve the protest against the suspension of parastatal workers in the state.

Okorocha

A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, read, “His Excellency has wished that instead of embarking on the protest that might end up not benefitting anyone, the National Leadership of the NLC should be patriotic enough to advise the leadership of the NLC in the state to honour their invitations to participate in the high-powered 18 – member committee set up by the state governor to review the cases of the staff affected by the suspension in question, so that the matter can be resolved amicably in the spirit of no victor, no vanquished.

“The committee would have been inaugurated last Tuesday, but it could not take place because the labour representatives did not come for the exercise.

“The committee has the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) chairman in the state, chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC), chairman Nigeria Medical Association, Imo State chapter, chairman National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Representative of Magistrates Association, Representative of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) IMSU, Imo Polytechnic, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN), chairman of  Imo State branch of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and Representative of the Judiciary Service Union of Nigeria, (JUSUN) as members.

“On the part of the Government, the Head of Service, Principal Secretary to the Governor, the Attorney General, the Accountant General, Commissioner of Finance, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Principal Secretary to the Deputy Governor are also members of the committee. The chairman, Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze Samuel Ohiri is equally a member.

“This is a high-profiled committee and the governor believes that with this calibre of people in the committee whatever is the bone of contention between the government and the labour union in the state over the suspension issue can be resolved.

“The government has repeatedly explained that the suspension of the parastatal workers was not an outright sack or dismissal. The suspension was to enable the new managements of the establishments involved to take off in earnest.

“So, the essence of the 18-member committee is to look at the cases of these workers and decide whether to post all of them out to other government ministries and establishments or to even ask some of them to go back to the parastatals. And until the committee sits and takes decision on the suspended workers, nobody could accuse the government of any wrong doing.”

Okorocha wants NLC to shelve protest over workers’ suspension

NLC threatens to shut down Imo State over 3000 workers sack

LAGOS—NIGERIA Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday insisted that there would be a total shut down of Imo State once the 14-day ultimatum issued to the state government to recall the 3000 sacked workers and tackle their unpaid salaries and other benefits expires.

Okorocha

The Imo State government is alleged to be owing workers of the state’ agencies including Imo State Water Corporation and Imo State Transport Company, between three and 15 months salaries and other benefits.

President of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, Mr. Igwe Achese, a member of the 6-man action committee set up by NLC to handle the Imo crisis, told Vanguard that all measures had been put in place for the planned action.

Achese who is also a Deputy President of the Joe Ajaero-led faction of NLC, said: “Like we made it clear when we handed down the ultimatum on Friday, January 22, once the ultimatum expires, we will take action and there will be a total shut down of the state. You are aware that both factions of Congress are on the same page in the issue because an injury to one is an injury to all. It was in that regard that a meeting of leaders of the factions in Abuja, set up a 6 man action committee on Imo which I am a member.

“We have it very clear that once the action starts, we will stop fuel and electricity supplies, banks and shops will be closed among others. ”

Recall that the Ayuba Wabba faction of NLC at its National Executive Council, NEC, meeting last Friday in Lagos, warned that Imo would be used as an example to others, saying “Congress resolved that any state governor who violates the sacred duty of regular payment of salaries, gratuities and pensions will incur the wrath of workers.Congress also resolved to mobilize to any state that retrenches workers because workers should not be made the scape goats of the downturn in the economy. The benefits of political employees are not touched. They are paid regular huge sums that are not even approved by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission.

“In line with the Congress’ philosophy of an injury to one is an injury to all, Congress also resolved to mobilize to Imo State to shut it down as a response to Governor Okorocha’s consistent anti-labour policies, impunity and retrenchment of workers, in spite of his promises to the leadership of the Congress that he would not take such decisions. Congress also resolved to take a national action in respect of Imo if necessary.

“Congress notes that Governor Okorocha has raised a private militia which he has armed to the teeth and they are at present inflicting injuries on innocent workers. Congress considers this as illegal and resolves to make a report to the IGP, warning that in the event that Okorocha violates the law by unleashing the militia again on workers, there would be consequences.”

NLC threatens to shut down Imo State over 3000 workers sack

Biafra: Why court denied Kanu, others bail

The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday, gave reasons why the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, who is answering to a six –count treason charge, should not be released on bail pending the determination of his trial. Kanu who has been in detention since October 14, 2015, is facing trial alongside two other pro-Biafra agitators, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi.

Nanmdi Kanu, Radio Biafra’s Director

They were in the charge that was signed by the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Mr. Mohammed Diri, alleged to have committed treasonable felony, an offence punishable under Section 41(C) of the Criminal Code Act, CAP C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria. FG alleged that the defendants were the ones managing the affairs of the IPOB which it described as “an unlawful society”.

Specifically, Kanu, who is also the Director of Radio Biafra and Television, was alleged to have illegally smuggled radio transmitters into Nigeria, which he used to disseminate “hate broadcasts”, encouraging the “secession of the Republic of Biafra”, from Nigeria. The trio however pleaded not guilty to the charge on January 20, even as the trial judge, Justice John Tsoho, ordered their remand at Kuje prison pending ruling on a consolidated bail application they filed through their lawyer, Chief Udechukwu Udechukwu, SAN.

In the bail request dated January 14, which was predicated on the provisions of sections 35 and 36 of the 1999 constitution, as amended, and sections 158, 159 and 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, 2015, the defendants, insisted that all the allegations levelled against were bailable offences. Relying on the decided case-law in Ibori vs FRN, they urged the court to exercise its discretion in their favour considering that the law presumes them innocent until when their guilt is established.

Counsel to the accused persons maintained that his clients would not interfere with the witnesses if released on bail, adding that the statement of the defendants showed that they did not commit any crime, but were only agitating for their right to self determination under the African Charter for Human Peoples’ Right and the UN charter. Udechukwu, SAN, pleaded the court to grant the defendants bail on most liberal term since the charge against them does not attract capital punishment but  the federal government, through a counter-affidavit it filed before the court, vehemently opposed the bail application.

The government urged the court to refuse the defendants bail, stressing that Kanu, who it said enjoyed large followership, was likely to continue operating Radio Biafra, if released from detention. FG further contended that the 1st defendant would not likely surrender himself for trial and could escape from the country since he has dual citizenship. The prosecutor told the court that Kanu hitherto operated Radio Biafra from the United Kingdom before his arrest, adding that he has the capacity to interfere with the witnesses who it described as “civilians dwelling within the area the defendants operated”.

Ruling on the application yesterday, Justice Tsoho denied the defendants bail, just as he okayed their accelerated trial. The Judge insisted that though the law permitted him to exercise his discretion in deciding whether or not the accused persons should be released on bail, he stressed that such discretion ought to be exercised “judicially and judiciously”. Justice Tsoho noted that the charge against the defendants “is a grave one that will attract severe punishment upon conviction”, adding that it carries life imprisonment.

More so, the judge maintained that the right to personal liberty of any individual takes secondary place once the issue of national security is involved. He observed that the defendants had in an affidavit they deposed in support of their bail application,  averred that they have a right to agitate for self determination. “The situation as perceived by this court is that there is conflict of interest between the applicants who insist that they have a right to agitate and the respondent (federal government)  which argues that it has the responsibility to maintain peace and order.

“Personal liberty of an individual within the contemplation of section 35 of the 1999 constitution is a qualified right that is not absolute. It can be curtailed in other to prevent a person from committing further offence. “Section 35 cannot be used as a canopy to escape lawful detention by persons suspected to have committed serious crime”, the Judge held He said that the government tendered sufficient materials that showed that the defendants were not entitled to bail, adding that the accused persons did not controvert issues FG raised against them in its counter-affidavit.

“By virtue of the case summary, list of witnesses and statements of the defendants, it is evident that the activities of the defendants were inimical to national security”, Justice Tsoho added. He said the broadcast of Radio Biafra was aimed at causing disaffection that could lead to breach of peace in the country. “It is my candid view that the three defendants/applicants are not entitled to bail. I accordingly order that they should be detained in prison custody pending their trial”.

The court yesterday fixed February 9, 10, 11 and 12 to commence full-blown trial of the accused persons. Prior to the ruling, a mild drama took place in the court, as two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SAN, locked horn over who should represent the defendants. The controversy was ignited by a handwritten letter that Kanu personally addressed to the trial Judge from Kuje prison. In the letter, Kanu insisted that the lawyer, Udechukwu, SAN, who argued his bail application, was not the person he briefed to handle the matter on his behalf.

He told the court that Chief Chuks Muoma, SAN, was the lawyer he chose to defend him in the matter. Sequel to the development, Chief Udechukwu, SAN, who decried what he termed “the biggest embarrassment since my 20 years in the inner bar”, withdrew his appearance and that of another SAN in his team, Chief Joe Agi, for the defendant. Muoma. SAN, convinced the court to go ahead and rule on the bail application that was argued by Udechukwu, saying “my lord this is a domestic issue that we intend to sort out later”.

Biafra: Why court denied Kanu, others bail

Angry reactions as Okorocha sacks 3,000 workers

OWERRI—Angry reactions have started trailing the sacking of over 3,000 workers in the 19 Imo State government parastatals, agencies and departments.

Okorocha

Some of the establishments visited by Vanguard, yesterday, looked like a grave-yard as some of the workers affected by the sack order were seen in groups, bemoaning their predicament.

Meanwhile, the organized labour in Imo State, had directed Imo workers in the 19 parastatals, agencies and departments, affected by the recent sack order  by the state government, to “report to their places of work and close at the approved time.”

The directive, which was signed by all the labour leaders in the state, including the state Chairman and Secretary of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Mr. Austin Chilakpu and Kenneth Onwuemeodo respectively, followed a government order sacking over 3,000 workers on its payroll.

“The workers are directed to, in line with the rules governing attendance to work, report to their various places of work and close at the approved time,” the labour leaders directed.

The aggrieved unionists equally insisted that “workers cannot be sacked or suspended or  given any form of punishment through radio announcement, a complete disregard to due process.

“It is also necessary to further point out that workers, who have worked up to the 15th of the month, cannot be suspended and backdated to January 4, 2016,” the unionists fumed.

Labour recalled that when the factional National President of the NLC, Mr. Ayuba Wabba, visited Governor Rochas Okorocha in Government House, Owerri, last Wednesday, he not only promised that no worker in the state would be sacked or suspended, but also denied that salaries of Imo workers had been slashed.

Angry reactions as Okorocha sacks 3,000 workers

Why I called Nigeria a zoo, threatened war – Kanu

Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra and founder of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, described Nigeria as a zoo and accused Governor Rochas Okorocha of Islamising Imo State in an interview he granted an online medium, Sahara Reporters.

Nanmdi Kanu, Radio Biafra’s Director

He, however, said in one of the statements he made to the Department of State Services after he was arrested at a Lagos hotel on October 14, 2015 that he made the said comments in order to facilitate societal change.

Kanu and two others have been charged with treason and other related offences on account of his agitation for the secession of the South-East and other areas of the country to form a sovereign state of Biafra.

He confirmed in the statement, dated October 24, 2015, that he made the comments, calling Nigeria a zoo to justify his belief that the only language its people understood was violence in the interview with Sahara Reporters.

He said he also accused Okorocha of Islamising Imo State in the said interview.

Kanu stated, “A Sahara Reporters’ interview was played by officers of the DSS on October 24, 2015, as part of my interrogation and I acknowledged that it was me that gave the interview and the answers I provided were done by me.

“As I have earlier stated in past interrogation, the statements I make are purely designed to elicit reaction that will facilitate the desired change which is needed.

“In the interview, I made reference and said, ‘the zoo has come to an end, they keep killing our people…’.

“In the interview, I also said ‘the language the people hear in the zoo is violence. If they fail to give us Biafra, Somalia will be a child’s play’, yes, I stated that in the interview.

“Again, I was asked (and I said), ‘If they do not give us Biafra, there would be no one living in the zoo,’ yes, I said so.

“I was also asked did I say that Rochas had Islamised Imo State and I said yes. I was also asked to confirm that I said that I do not believe that a peaceful approach to the restoration of Biafra was viable because I am not aware of anywhere else in the world where that is the case considering the history of the countries and their approach to such issues.”

He also denied belonging to Biafra Zionist Movement but admitted he believed in the group’s cause.

“I do not belong to Biafra Zionist Movement. However, I stated my support for its action because it was a civil act designed to highlight societal injustice.

“The said act involved a group of civilians massing at the Government House at Enugu to hoist the Biafran flag,” he added.

The 48-year-old, who re-affirmed himself as the leader of IPOB, also gave an insight into the leadership structure of the group.

He stated, “I wish to state for the records that I, Nnamdi Kanu, is the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra and Director of Radio Biafra and is in charge of the running of the organisation. In terms of the organisational structure, I can confirm that the office of the Director sits at the apex.”

Kanu said under him was Mazi Udanna Asiegbu.

He added, “Under him (Asiegbu) is the office of the CoC, which translates into the Co-ordinator of Co-ordinators and under him comes the Continental Representatives and are as follows:

“(1) North America is represented by Mr. Nnamaram Ugochukwu; South America, by Leornard Aniemene, who is resident in Trinidad and Tobago. Mazi Asiegbu is resident in Spain and Clifford Iroanya, the Coordinator of Coordinators, is resident in Houston Texas, USA.

“Nnamaram Ugochukwu is resident in Dallas, Texas. The continent of Europe is represented by Mazi Edoziem in Switzerland; Asia continent is represented by Onyinyechi Nlebedim in Malaysia while Australia is represented by Austin Ofomah, who resides in Canberra, Australia.”

Operatives of the DSS on October 14, 2015, arrested Kanu at the Golden Tulip Airport Hotel, where he allegedly checked into using a fictitious name.

On December 23, the accused persons were scheduled for arraignment before a Federal High Court in Abuja, but Kanu refused to take his plea to the six counts of treason and other charges instituted against him and his two co-defendants due to what he called his lack of confidence in the presiding judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed.

The judge promptly returned the case file to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, for reassignment to another judge and the three accused persons were returned to the custody of the DSS.

The Federal Government, through the Federal Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Mohammed Diri, alleged in its summary of its case in the newly filed six counts that the IPOB leader checked into the hotel using the name, Ezebuiro Nwannekaenyi, in order to conceal his identity.

Diri stated this in a document listing the proposed prosecution witnesses lined up to testify against Kanu and the two others.

Apart from Kanu, one of the two other defendants in the six counts filed by the Federal Government is a Field Maintenance Engineer, David Nwawuisi, of Ericson, who maintains MTN masts in Enugu State.

The other defendant, Benjamin Madubugwu, was said to be living in Ubilisiuzo, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, where he allegedly received custody of a container housing radio transmitters meant for Radio Biafra from Kanu.

The fresh charges were filed against the three men barely 24 hours after Justice Adeniyi Ademola, in a ruling on Kanu’s bail application on December 17, ordered his unconditional release from DSS custody having been detained for about two months without any valid charges filed against him.

No new date has been fixed for the arraignment of the accused persons.

Why I called Nigeria a zoo, threatened war – Kanu

N600m decorations: Okorocha replies Emeka Ihedioha

OWERRI—Imo State Government has expressed reservations at the way the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, rushed to the media to attack Governor Rochas Okorocha over what he claimed to have read about the governor earmarking N600 million for decorations.

Okorocha

The government’s stand was made public through a press statement signed the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo.

“On our part, we feel for Chief Ihedioha, that, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and a member of that House for 12 years, could rush to the media to attack the governor over what he claimed to have read about the governor earmarking N600million for decorations, and not that the governor has spent the amount on the issue.   And he could not also disclose the source of the report for it to be believed”, Onwuemeodo stated.

While saying that the only time Chief Ihedioha can be read on the pages of newspapers is whenever he attacks the governor, Onwuemeodo also challenged Chief Ihedioha and his PDP people to catalogue and publish their achievements for the 12 years they governed the state and let Governor Okorocha publish his own achievements for the period he has held sway.

“We also  challenge Chief Ihedioha to tell Imo people why the Owerri-Port Harcourt road, Aba-Owerri road, Umuahia-Owerri road could not be finished when he was number seven citizen in the country as the Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives.   Let him also publish the list of NDDC projects for the state and the contractors,” Onwuemeodo said.

…effigy destroyed

The growing anti-Rochas Okorocha sentiments in Imo State, has taken a new twist, as his effigy that was installed in his Ideato South country home was destroyed by unknown persons.

The statue, which depicted Governor Rochas Okorocha on a horse back was  mounted at the Ogboko Junction, along the Orlu-Urualla federal highway, as the frenzy over his gubernatorial success was at its peak.

Vanguard, who rushed to the scene of the destruction, on getting wind of the news, noticed that the effigy had been brought down and damaged beyond redemption.

Although the state government and its functionaries have remained silent over the destroyed governor’s effigy, no individual or group has however claimed responsibility for the destruction.

N600m decorations: Okorocha replies Emeka Ihedioha

Okorocha blames leakages for states’ poor funding

The Governor of Imo State, who is also the Chairman of Progressives Governors’ Forum, Chief Rochas Okoracha, has attributed leakages in government as one of the reasons why resources are not enough to service the states.

Okorocha

Also, the Governor of Zamfara State, who is also the Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Alhaji Abdul’aziz Yari, said the solution to the declining revenue facing most states lies in the diversification of the nation’s economy

Both governors spoke at the two-day Internally Generated Revenue workshop organised by the NGF in Abuja on Monday.

Okorocha called for the fusion of culture into the nation’s political and economy lives, adding that “democracy which we don’t understand has further deepened our problem.”

He said, “We have enough resources to run the states but there are so much leakages. There are cultural challenges, no nation can grow above its cultural resources. Culture has a lot to do in our politics and economy. Let us develop our land and be less oil- dependent.”

Speaking with journalists shortly after he made his presentation, Okorocha said, “While we are looking at our IGR, which has its challenges, we should also look inwards and start to develop the resources of our land, which is mainly agriculture.

“Now that things have gone the way they have gone and are going the way they are going in this country, we have no other option but to attempt ‘for the very first time’ to develop properly the resources of our land, with emphasis on agriculture, which hitherto had given us over 70 per cent opportunity of employment and had been largely responsible for our foreign exchange.”

Also speaking, Yari said, “Economic diversification is of course vital to ensuring the long-term economic growth we seek.

“We must ensure that we are competitive in the way we diversify our economy, and ensure that the private sector plays a stronger role going forward.

“This event should guide our states to share practical and effective experiences for boosting revenue generation and also provide strategies to kick-start the process.”

Yari, who was represented by the Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, said Nigeria’s economic challenges could be overcome if the leaders make conscious efforts “to do the right thing at the right time.”

According to the NGF chairman, the IGR peer learning event was coming at a time when the governors were expected to live up to the expectations of the electorate.

He added that NGF members had agreed to adopt the findings of the summit as an important action plan for ensuring a more robust IGR for states.

“We will also expect periodic briefings from our secretariat on the status of these plans and how our states have been able to implement them,” he added.

The governor however noted that the declining revenue in Nigeria had considerably affected the nation’s development plans.

e, who is also the Chairman of Progressives Governors’ Forum, Chief Rochas Okoracha, has attributed leakages in government as one of the reasons why resources are not enough to service the states.

Also, the Governor of Zamfara State, who is also the Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Alhaji Abdul’aziz Yari, said the solution to the declining revenue facing most states lies in the diversification of the nation’s economy.

 

Okorocha blames leakages for states’ poor funding

Okorocha turning Imo into a Banana State, group laments

For forcefully executing his privatization programme in Imo State, Governor Rochas Okorocha has incurred the wrath of former lawmakers and council chairmen from the State who described his actions as “barbaric and incredible”, just as they called on President Muhammadu Buhari to call the governor to order.

Okorocha

In a statement at the weekend by the former lawmakers and council chairmen, popularly known as Forum of Former Imo House Members and Council Chairman (FIHOC), they said it was shocking to learn that in spite of public outcry against the concessioning of Imo public enterprises by Governor Okorocha, the governor has taken a step further into the abyss of dictatorship by using his Imo Security Network to forcefully eject workers from health Centres and hospitals, to enforce his privatization programme. The workers were said to be resisting his privatization of these public institutions.

The statement signed by the group’s Director of Public Communications, Hon. Ray Emeana, said it was sad that in spite of good counsel from concerned members of the public, including FIHOC, members of the clergy and notable public figures, against the privatization exercise, the Governor did not relent but instead went ahead to force his way through without due process.

FIHOC’s statement regretted that although it had earlier advised the governor to subject the matter of privatization to the decision of the Imo public and if approved by them to follow due process in the exercise, the governor ignored their call and went ahead with a privatization process that is clearly illegal and self-serving.

The statement added: “It is becoming increasingly clear to us that Imo people are up against a stone age government that believes in barbaric tactics and totalitarianism. What Governor Okorocha is doing in Imo State is clearly barbaric and incredible. We find it difficult to believe that Imo is still part of a democratic Nigeria where the rule of law reigns. Imo State government does not believe in the rule of law. It does not believe in due process. Its approach to everything is barbaric and totalitarian and we call on President Mohammed Buhari to call him to order before it is too late”

“Nothing moves the governor again. Even calls from highly placed clergymen for him to give account of the N26b bail out funds, which in spite of it he still owes huge salary arrears and pensions, has fallen on deaf ears. So too are pleas for him to constitute a cabinet as provided for in the constitution” the statement added.

It warned that Okorocha was plunging Imo State into darkness, noting that instead of a cabinet, Okorocha now rules with a laughable task force committees arrangement, numbering over 100 task forces, including a task force on traffic light and siren, adding that even more regrettable is the fact that House of Assembly members have abandoned lawmaking for appointments as task force chairmen.

FIHOC said President Buhari and even the National Assembly should call Okorocha to order soon enough before he turns Imo State into a “Banana state” in a democratic Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Okorocha turning Imo into a Banana State, group laments

One Million Match: One Fear Dead As Pro Biafrans Take Over Commercial Centres

In what motorists and other road users have described as a mother of all protests, supporters of the Director of Radio Biafra and leader of the indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Friday, grounded commercial and vehicular activities in Onitsha, the commercial nerve centre of Anambra State, in a bid to call for the immediate release of their leader, who is still reportedly being detained by the Department of State Services, DSS.

Biafran fear dead

Motorists and commuters who were said to be leaving and entering the south-east, through the River Niger Bridge, in Onitsha, this morning, were held to standstill for over six hours, as members of IPOB in their thousands, barricaded the entry and exit routes of the Head Bridge.

An eye witness, Mr. Kelechi Amaeze, who was travelling from the south-east to Lagos on Friday, told Vanguard in a phone interview that thousands of travellers, including himself, were held to standstill at the Onitsha head-bridge owing to the protest, which members of IPOB had tagged, “One Million Match.”

Another eye-witness, who pleaded not to be named, told Vanguard that the IPOB protesters where already taking their demonstration into Asaba, the Delta State capital, but where stopped by security operatives in the state, who had already re-mobilised on getting a tip-off of the protest.

Vanguard gathered that the armed-to-the-teeth security operatives barricaded the exit point of the Head Bridge into Asaba with an Armoured Personnel Carrier, APC, to stop the irate protesters from gaining entry into the south-south region.

However, Vanguard gathered from an eye-witness that the protest which also reached the Ochanja area of Onitsha, saw one of the protesters allegedly shot dead by an accidental discharge from the shots of a soldier, in a bid to quell the raging protest.

Meanwhile, at the time of filing this report, it was not certain if the irate youths took their protests to other parts of the country.

 

One Million Match: One Fear Dead As Pro Biafrans Take Over Commercial Centres

I’m still committed to Biafra struggle - Uwazuruike

Onitsha—Leader of the Movement for Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, has charged his Igbo kinsmen to always disregard counter views or opinions expressed by the Imo State governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha with regard to the current efforts by MASSOB to actualize an independent state of Biafra.

Biafran Protest over Kanu

He said that such counter-views or opinions always expressed by Okorocha against the actualization of Biafra “portends him as a common saboteur to the Igbo cause.”

In a statement to newsmen in Onitsha, Anambra State made on his behalf by MASSOB’s National Deputy Director for Information, Mazi Chris Mocha, Uwazuruike stated that although Okorocha had the constitutional right to express his opinions or views on any matter including that of MASSOB and Biafra actualization, he has no capacity to decide or determine what happens in Igbo land.

According to the statement, “Okorocha is aiding and abetting the All Progressives Congress, APC-led Federal Government in the continued marginalization of Ndigbo. He is also financing the central mosque near the Government House, Owerri, Imo State to the detriment of our people.”

Meanwhile, Uwazurike had again reaffirmed his determination to actualize Biafra as a sovereign, independent nation without violence within his life time, stressing that if he failed to get Biafra, then he would have failed to achieve what is expected of him to do.

Uwazurike, who made the vow at a MASSOB meeting held in Ojukwu Memorial Library, new Owerri, Imo State, said he was proud that no member of MASSOB had been charged for armed robbery, kidnapping or stealing in the course of the Biafran struggle, adding that such a clean slate was a credit to their non-violent posture.

He boasted that despite the killing of his members by security agencies from 1999-2015, his men had never retaliated or been found guilty by any court of competent jurisdiction.

“I came into the world to do one thing and that is to achieve Biafra and liberate my oppressed people from bondage in Nigeria.”

I’m still committed to Biafra struggle - Uwazuruike

MASSOB is a distraction – Okorocha’s CPS

The Founder and Sole Proprietor of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, has been described as in sincere for aiding and abetting the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government in the continued marginalisation of the Igbo, and not the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha. .

Okorocha

Reacting to a media report, the Chief Press Secretary to the Imo State Governor, Mr. Sam Onwuemedo, said, “Although Chief Uwazuruike had made his claim and his allegation, the indisputable fact remains that the real Igbo saboteur is Chief Uwazuruike himself and not Governor Okorocha, because all over the world, the real enemies of the people are those who fail or refuse to tell them the truth”.

“Obviously, what must have prompted Chief Uwazuruike’s media attack on Governor Okorocha this time was the governor’s condemnation of the violent protest in the name of Biafra some weeks ago, and his remark that Igbo people would not use MASSOB as a platform to ask for what is due to them in an entity called Nigeria. But the truth must be told.”

“Chief Uwazuruike had used his MASSOB to adopt and support the Peoples Democratic Party and former President Goodluck Jonathan when they held sway. He should mention one project the PDP-led Federal Government or former President Jonathan did in any part of Igbo land.”

“The MASSOB leader was part of the hate campaign against the APC and President Muhammadu Buhari, while Governor Okorocha was telling his Igbo kinsmen to read accurately the body language of the rest of Nigerians. Today, it is left for Ndigbo to tell themselves the truth about who was the real saboteur, Uwazuruike or Okorocha?”

“It is also left for Chief Uwazuruike to tell his audience why MASSOB went to bed throughout the period Jonathan was the President, only for MASSOB to wake up from their deep slumber now that Buhari is the President.”

He said that the Igbo cannot be asking for sovereignty in a country that they were one of the major stakeholders, adding that if MASSOB had failed to achieve sovereignty under former President Goodluck Jonathan that they supported, would they achieve it under President Buhari they never supported? Who would allow them to achieve that? he asked.

He said, “Truly speaking, the issue of MASSOB is a distraction. And Igbo leaders and the governors in the South-East geo-political zone won’t be part of that unnecessary distraction. The leaders and governors in the zone have resolved to work with Buhari to attract development to the area. And the projects have begun to come with the elevation of the Imo Airport to Cargo International Airport. Work is already in progress in the place.”

“Governor Okorocha is an Igbo man and would continue to support and promote genuine cause of the Igbo within the corporate Nigeria and in the overall interest of the Ndigbo both at home and in the Diaspora.”

MASSOB is a distraction – Okorocha’s CPS

Okorocha: Igbo won’t negotiate on MASSOB platform

•‘Pro-Jonathan forces behind fresh Biafra agitation’

Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has said the Igbo will not use the platform of any separatist group, including the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), to pursue the Igbo agenda.

Okorocha

Okorocha, who distanced Southeast governors and leaders from the pro-Biafra groups, said the zone did not need an armed struggle associated with militia groups to attract economic and infrastructural development.

The governor, who spoke at a breakfast meeting with reporters, noted that the zone’s setbacks could not be addressed by antagonising the North and West, but by mutual cooperation and support for the All Progressives Congress-led (APC) Federal Government.

His words: “The Igbo will not use the agitation for Biafra as a platform to negotiate the place of Ndigbo, but will support the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to attract the dividends of democracy that eluded us in the past.

“We should try to jettison religious sentiments and support President Buhari. The Igbo will not use Biafra as a front; we condemn those agitating for Biafra because that is not Ndigbo’s need”.

But the senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has said agitation for Biafra is a plan ‘B’ action promoted by pro-Jonathan forces to undermine President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

Sani, who spoke during an interaction with reporters in Kaduna yesterday, said: “The new agitation for Biafra is a misguided, ill-conceived and ill-fated course.

“The Biafra agitation is a new attempt to destroy the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, to ignite a national conflict and cause chaos, pandemonium and confusion. It is not reflective of the interest and generality of the Igbo people.”

The senator said the Igbo had made progress since the civil war, adding that their future was better guaranteed and sustained within a united Nigeria.

Sani said: “Those attempting to wake up the Biafran course are of three categories. The first are young men with no knowledge of the tragedy, suffering and hardship Nigerians endured during the Civil War. The second category are desperate forces hiding behind the Biafran agitation to undermine our national unity and destroy theMuhammadu Buhari’s administration.

“And the third group are simply warmongers, who want crisis in an era of peace and progress. So, I will say this in clear terms: Nigeria is an indivisible entity and we have since gone beyond the Civil War.”

The people of the Southeast, Sani said, had the right within the ambit of the constitution to demand to be recognised and respected as equal partners in the Nigerian project.

He cautioned that their agitation must, however, be within the ambit of respect for the indivisibility of Nigeria and the constitution.

”As long as we realise the change agenda, entrench good governance and run an all-inclusive government, the Biafran agitation will naturally fizzle out.

“Nigerians must be patient with the President Buhari’s administration. It is wrong for people to accuse him of not performing, taking cognisance of the rot in the last 16 years.

“We have no reason to give excuses and lament the problems of Nigeria when Nigerians are desirous of change and progress,” Sani said.

Okorocha: Igbo won’t negotiate on MASSOB platform

PDP govt responsible for Nigeria’s woes - Okorocha

Bauchi—The Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum and governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has said the mismanagement of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, government was responsible for the sufferings experienced in the nation, assuring that the All Progressives Congress, APC government would address all the challenges facing Nigeria.

Okorocha

He said the APC was a masses oriented party created to touch the lives of the ordinary man in the country.

According to him, APC government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari has all it takes to fix the problems of the country.

Okorocha, who stated this yesterday while giving a brief remark at the opening ceremony of the APC governors progressive meeting at the Yankari Game Reserve in

Bauchi, said the aim of the APC governor’s meeting was to address critical issues affecting the ordinary man, pointing out that the nation was going through a very difficult moment.

“This meeting will also avail the governors the opportunity to look at the upcoming election in Kogi and Balyelsa states because we want the wind of change to blow across these states in the next election .

“We will also discuss with APC state leaders and national chairman  of the party on how to the strengthen the APC because this is a party for today and tomorrow,” he said

Okorocha commended the judiciary in Rivers and Akwa-Ibom states over the outcome of the sitting of the tribunal, saying it met the expectations of Nigerians.

In his address, Bauchi State governor, Mohammed Abubakar, told the governors that since the revenue from the federal account was dwindling, they should should look inwards by improving the internally generated revenue in their states to maintain a vibrant economy.

Governor Abubakar said he decided to host the APC progressive governors meeting in Bauchi to showcase the tourism potentialities of the state.

The meeting was attended by the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, governors of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Simon Dalong of Plateau State, Mallam El’ Rufai of Kaduna State and deputy governors of Jigawa, Borno, Yobe and Benue states, among other APC leaders in the country.

PDP govt responsible for Nigeria’s woes - Okorocha

Stop Living in Fool’s Paradise, APGA Tells Okorocha

• Your rescue slogan visionless, rudderless – APGA tells Okorocha

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has asked the Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, not to delude himself that the people are happy with his performance.

Okorocha

In a statement issued on Sunday by APGA’s National Director of Publicity, Mr. Ifeanacho Oguejiofor, the party described the governor’s rescue mission slogan as nothing but “visionless and rudderless, that needs to be truly rescued from crass ineptitude and gross maladministration.”

The party said its attention had been drawn to the self-serving and personal glorification interview granted by Okorocha in which he made disparaging and caustic remarks  against APGA, adding that the party was more than just a political association which nobody can wish away, not even the governor.

While cautioning the governor to mind his negative utterances against APGA, the party said its formation  was deep rooted, strong, invincible and made up of a mass movement of true democrats and progressives, which nobody can conquer or destroy.

It said instead of the governor to be eternally grateful to APGA which emancipated him from “his aeon of political bondage, years of unrealised electoral contestation and long gallivanting political  wilderness, which his personal quest for power made him to traverse, he chose to commit sacrilege against the party and poured insult on the sensibilities of those APGA faithful and supporters.

“The party is advising  Okorocha to stop living in fool’s paradise, as his governance anchored on “Rescue Mission” is nothing but visionless and rudderless, that needs to be truly rescued from crass ineptitude and gross maladministration,” it said

The statement said it is a common knowledge that the government of Imo state led by Okorocha lacks the basic managerial skills and ideas on how to govern a state like Imo State, which is richly endowed with both great intellectuals and huge material resources.

“APGA therefore urges him to go to Anambra State for a tutorial on how to govern a modern state and on how to harness the various abundant potentialities in Imo State.

“The  Imo State governor should be told in case he pretends not to be aware, that Imo people are generally disappointed in his awkward style of administration, which caters only to the needs and desires of his in-laws, relations and business partners with his self-deceptive slogan of “my people, my people” instead of “my in-laws, my business partners”, which is a baptismal reference of his kind of governance of Imo State.

“Moreover, the man who is at the helm of affairs in Douglas House who is politically naïve should know that governance is not about how loquacious, garrulous, sophistry and theatrical a governor chooses to be, but how he can positively impact on the welfare and lives of the hoi polloi, which is what the Imo people are in dire need of now, instead of his junketing around.

“He should know that the present national leadership of the party led by Victor Ike Oye, is painstakingly revitalising, reinvigorating and repositioning the party, for a strong presence and quick march to take its due political space and position in the body politic, so as to liberate the marginalised and the downtrodden people of Nigeria.”

Stop Living in Fool’s Paradise, APGA Tells Okorocha

Okorocha fires two Perm sec, six directors for alleged fraud

No fewer than two permanent secretaries and about six substantive directors (names withheld), serving in the Imo State civil service, have been summarily suspended by Governor Rochas Okorocha, for alleged fraudulent acts.

Okorocha

Government’s action, which was aired severally on the airwaves of the Imo Broadcasting Corporation, IBC, Owerri, also ordered the affected officials to immediately handover to the most senior staff in their respective establishments.

Governor Okorocha equally warned heads of accounts and directors of administration that they would henceforth, be held liable for any maladministration or fraudulent acts in their respective establishments.

Vanguard gathered that one of the affected officials, who allegedly defrauded the state government to the tune of N45 million, may be handed over to the anti-graft agency for interrogation and possible prosecution.

It was also gathered that apart from being forced to proceed on indefinite suspension without salary and pension, government appears bent on getting them to refund every kobo they allegedly appropriated illegally.

Similarly, there are credible indications that more workers will face the same music as government has focused its searchlight on the activities of other suspected fraudsters in civil service garb.

A credible source in Government House, Owerri, disclosed that Governor Okorocha has ordered that the dossier of all those who either falsified their dates of birth or length of service, should be forwarded to him for “proper disciplinary action”.

Okorocha fires two Perm sec, six directors for alleged fraud

Okorocha moves to review membership in South East

THE All Progressives Congress (APC), has started the process of reviewing the membership of the party in the South East geo political zone, according to the chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha.

Okorocha

In a statement signed by Okorocha’s Chief media scribe, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, and made available to The Guardian on Monday, Okorocha regretted that some members of the party in the zone, comprising Imo, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states, were found to be involved in activities considered to be anti- APC.

He accused the Publicity Secretary of the party in the zone, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, of granting an interview to a national daily , painting the governor in bad light. He said such acts would not be tolerated any longer in the party, particularly in the zone.

“The All Progressives Congress (APC) South-East will now look into the activities of some of the leaders of the party in their respective states during the last elections with the aim of fishing out those who sabotaged the party and acted as mole for the last administration, and who are also scheming now for appointments and feel that they can achieve that through blackmail.”

Okorocha noted with dismay that he was accused of not campaigning for President Muhammadu Buhari, genuinely during the last elections, faulting the claim as untrue. The governor maintained that Buhari was in Imo at his invitation and campaigned, adding that he also ensured that two members of the APC won in the House of Representatives, despite avalanche of intimidations and harassment by the then government of the day, now in opposition.

Okorocha maintained that he has insisted that in Enugu State, only those who were loyal to the APC should be the ones to be considered for appointments.

“The APC in the South-East should celebrate Governor Okorocha for giving them two National Assembly members, one governor and 22 House of Assembly members out of 27, and above all, for the unprecedented pressure he mounted on the PDP people that made them not to return the kind of election figures they gave to Goodluck Jonathan in 2011.

Okorocha moves to review membership in South East

Okorocha thinks we are in Nollywood - S"E APC fires

• Blame yourself for Igbos exclusion from Buhari’s administration – APC tells Okorocha

The South East Chapter of the All Progressives Congress on Sunday said Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, did not “truly” campaign for the party and President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 general elections.

Okorocha

The spokesman for the APC in the South East, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, said this in a statement made available to journalists in Enugu.

The statement was a reaction to a recent interview in which Okorocha blamed Igbos for their exclusion in recent appointments made by Buhari.

In the interview, Okorocha reportedly said, “Some of the appointments we lost were caused by our people.”

Okorocha, also in the interview, claimed that Igbo leaders refused to listen to him when he cried like “a lonely voice in the wilderness” while urging the Igbos to embrace Buhari and the APC.

The Imo State governor accused Igbos of putting their eggs in one basket despite his admonitions that such a decision was unwise.

But, reacting to the interview, the spokesman for the APC in the South East, Okechukwu, stressed that “Okorocha should take responsibility for Igbo exclusion in the appointments, rather than passing the buck to Ndigbo.”

In the statement titled ‘Governor Rochas Okorocha neither truly campaigned for President Buhari nor APC,’ Okechukwu said, “All one can say is that to the best of knowledge, he (Okorocha) neither truly campaigned for President Muhammadu Buhari nor the All Progressives Congress.

“I thinks that while we blame Ndigbo for putting all our eggs in one basket, we should blame our leaders who genuinely didn’t campaign for President Buhari nor APC candidates in their domain.

“I challenge Governor Okorocha to tell the world how far he assisted Senator Osita Izunaso for his bid for Orlu Senatorial District, his own constituency, and that of Honourables Uche Onyeguocha and Uwajumogu of Owerri and Okigwe districts respectively.”

Noting that a little assistance from Okorocha could have earned APC two senatorial seats and other legislative positions in the South East, Okechukwu made it clear that the governor should blame himself first before blaming Igbos.

He stressed that Okorocha undermined the APC zoning arrangement when he decided to contest the party’s presidential election primaries.

“This is a man some of us advised not to run against the zoning convention, that it will deny Ndigbo the chance of producing either the chairman or the vice presidential slot and he refused.

“He thought we are in Nollywood,” the APC zonal spokesman said.

Okechukwu said Okorocha should henceforth “desist from the blame game and accept responsibility for the fate of Ndigbo in Buhari’s appointments.”

Continuing, Okechukwu maintained that Okorocha lied when he claimed that he was crying like a lonely voice in the wilderness for Ndigbo to vote for Buhari.

He insisted that if Okorocha really cried like a lonely voice in the wilderness, Buhari would have gotten at least 30 per cent of the votes cast in Imo State, and not 18 per cent.

“If Okorocha worked for APC in the South East, how come we did not even win a single senatorial seat in Imo and the entire zone?

“He should stop this blame game and accept responsibility for the fate that has befallen Ndigbo,” Okechukwu said.

Okorocha thinks we are in Nollywood - S"E APC fires

Nobody can dictate who Buhari should appoint - Okorocha

…says appointments so far are in the interest of Nigeria

Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, on Monday said all the appointments made so far by President Muhammadu Buhari decision are in the best interest of the nation.

Okorocha

He said the President has the rights to appoint anyone from any part of the country, adding that no one can dictate for him on who to appoint or not.

The governor’s statements followed condemnations that trailed last week appointments made by the President.

Okorocha said, “Most of the appointments the President has so far made are like his personal staff.  I don’t think South-East will ever be forgotten in this administration, we will get our due. He has the right to make appointments that would make him succeed and nobody should dictate for him who he should appoint or who he should not appoint.

“What I can only do is to continue to appeal to the President to consider the Southeast in his appointments.  And as far as I am concerned, the President had executed what the office empowers him to do, and it is believed that he did that in the best interest of the nation.

“In fact, if you ask me, I would say we should be more interested in the projects coming down to the Southeast and as much as we can get.  The projects will bring about development to the Southeast. There is no cause for alarm.  It is too early in the day to begin to judge Buhari’s intention.  I think he means well.  Let us give him a chance.  Nigeria is one nation, a nation for all of us.  We must start thinking about the nation rather than thinking about sentiment of where we come from.

“Although the Southeast had expected so much, we believe all will be well with the Buhari presidency and for the development of the Southeast.  It is wrong for some people to begin to use the issue to incite the people of the Southeast against the President.  The government is about to celebrate its 100 days and the appointments are just beginning to come, and by and large, the Southeast will get its due.

“The point is that we cannot begin to judge President Buhari with the appointments so far made.  We cannot obviously use it to judge his intention.  I think he means well for the nation and with every geo-political zone inclusive.  So let us give him a chance.”

Nobody can dictate who Buhari should appoint - Okorocha