Friday this week is the day the Supreme court will finally rule on the suit by ex Governor Ikedi Ohakim (PDP)challenging the election of Rochas Okorocha (APGA) as the governor of Imo state.But Newsdiaryonline has learnt that there is tension in the state days before the ruling because of what is said to be claims by unnamed Peoples Democratic Party, PDP chieftains that Okorocha will be sacked on Friday.
This fear was echoed on Monday in Abuja by the Imo Good Governance Group,IGGG at press conference .Dr Uche Akunebu, president of IGGG said “From the grapevine, we have been hearing people boasting that by Friday, we are going to see the end of Rochas’ government.That has been the palpable fear now in Owerri.There is a palpable fear that by Friday.. that is why we are calling this press conference.Some people are boasting already that the government will be vacated on Friday.Which is very, very wrong,because that means that they have a (prior) knowledge of what the decision will be on Friday.That is why we have called this press conference to disabuse the minds of Imolites ,that we believe that the Supreme Court consists of eminent jurists..
He added that the clandestine boast by PDP may be anchored on the history of the party and its uncanny way of doing things “The source of their confidence is that they believe that PDP owns Nigeria.PDP owns everybody .Now whatever concern PDP is as good as settled.That is why they are boasting.That is just the only reason because they believe that PDP has the awesome power to do everything they want to do ,that they are controlling the Federal government and they can muscle power to support whatever they want to support.”
Apparently, IGGG has chosen to expose this plot as a way of checkmating the PDP. Contrary to the claims of PDP stalwarts, IGGG say it believes and it is making the claim openy that given the facts on the ground, the apex court will affirm Okorocha’s victory.”We believe vox populi, vox dei,the voice of the people is the voice of God.What the Supreme court is going to do on Friday is to reaffirm that victory.We are very confident about that,Akunebu said adding that apart from the Sam Mbakwe era, the state has not had good leadership like the man in the saddle now.
This organization a child of necessity.It came up as a result Of the developmental challenges confronting Imo State. ..Any attempt to thwart or subvert the will of the people of Imo State I believe that the people of Imo state will resist it.. and this particular organization, Imo Good Governance Group be in the vanguard ‘’
To prove that Okorocha’s government is one in which they are pleased with he proceeded to chronicle what he called his laudable achievements ‘‘Rochas has opened network of roads in Imo.If you go you will not believe that this is the Owerri you used to know…Contractors are on site working.This has never happened before.Look at the civil servants, they are being paid regularly.Last time he had to suspend the Commissioner for education and the Permanent Secretary, withholding their three months salary for delaying the salaries of teachers.That is an action governor for you .That is a man that means well for the people.Look at what he has done in the educational sector.Today,primary education is free,secondary is free and by September tertiary education will be free.Tell me any government in the world that gives its people free tertiary education.And I stand to be corrected,I have not seen.An Rochas is doing that and we must commend him for doing that”
Akunebu was not alone.With him at the press confrenec was Mr Livinus Opara, treasurer of IGGG.He noted among others that the group “is ready to support any government which can surpass this record o..The group is not just for Rochas, the group is for laudable achievement.If any government comes with good achievement, the group will be ready to support it.If any government is not also ready to work ,this group is ready to criticize such government.For now, he too believes Okrocha deserves to be allowed to continue because of his laudable achievements.”Adapalm Ohaji had been neglected for a very long time in Imo state.This is the only oil palm mill in Imo state.And in fact there was a time that that Ada Palm was the highest palm industry in Nigeria.The Malaysians took their palm from Ada Palm and today, Malaysians are the highest producers of palm oil in the whole world ,while where they got the palm from is steadily going back.And this governor ,for the first time if not Mbakwe that gave good support to AdaPalm, the next governor that will support o Adapalm now is Rochas..So one might say Sam Mbakwe reincarnated in Rochas ,”Opara said.
Much as Ohakim and Okoracha’s supporters may wish their respective leader on either side victory in court,the real decision on the future of the state will be taken by the Supreme Court Justices.And that is why everyone is waiting with baited breath for Friday.Can Ohakim unseat Okorocha? The answer lies in the womb of time.
