-Issues 48-hour ultimatum, mocks ex-governor on local roads

Orlu Political Consultative Assembly (OPOCA) the apex socio-political organization in Orlu Senatorial district has condemned in very strong terms former Governor Okorocha’s attempt to forcefully break into Royal Spring Palm Hotel that was sealed by the state government with his alleged thugs last week.

The group also gave the former Governor, now Senator representing Orlu zone 48-hour ultimatum to apologize to Governor Uzodinma and Imo people or they initiate the process for his recall from the Senate.

OPOCA, in a release signed by the National President, Barr Rex Anunobi (Sokom), National Secretary, Chief Kingsley Ufere (Ikenga Izuogu) and other members of the executive council, regretted that “Senator Okorocha’s action, conduct and attitude alongside his thugs and hirelings smacks of irresponsibility, lawlessness and rascality unexpected of a former Governor and Senator of the federal republic  of Nigeria”.

The group recalled that, “the state government acting in accordance with a gazetted white paper and in line with the “RECOVERY” tripod upon which the Hope Uzodinma shared prosperity government rests, sealed Royal Palm Hotel purportedly owned by Okorocha’s wife.

“Having occupied the office of Governor and presently a Senator, who ought to know the implications of the afore-said and that if he feels otherwise or disagrees with the action of the state government, the only option available to him, was to approach the court for an order that will quash and negate the sealing . Instead, he threw caution to the wind and brazenly invaded the said property, hitherto sealed by government with dangerously armed thugs and hoodlums, as was clearly caught on camera.”

“In view of the foregoing, OPOCA, after an extra-ordinary emergency meeting is therefore using this medium to give the former governor and Senator, representing Imo West Senatorial District, (Orlu zone) in the national assembly, 48 hours from today, to apologize to Governor Hope Uzodinma and entire Imo people for the shame and disgrace his recent uncivilized action has brought to the state. If he fails to do so after 48 hours, we will be left with no option than to initiate a Recall Process that will aim at exiting Rochas Ethelbert Anayo Okorocha from the Senate of the federal republic of Nigeria.”

They further stated that at the peak of Okorocha’s second term bid in 2015, OPOCA, in line with its Orlu for Orlu mandate, mobilized Orlu Sons and daughters to support him, despite the anti democratic stance of his government during his first tenure.  “We also lobbied Owerri and Okigwe zones through OZOPOLF and Okigwe Mandate Union, respectively to support him.

“When he eventually succeeded, rather than respond to the yearnings of the Ndi Imo, Okorocha became a colossal disappointment, as his second term was characterized by kleptocracy, familiocracy, fraud, senseless land grabbing and unprecedented lawlessness. There is no doubt that Okorocha’s eight years in office as Governor, was a disaster and a set back to Orlu zone and Imo state. If not, how does one explain his failure to fix the road that leads to his country home which was a death trap after eight years in office, until Governor Uzodinma audaciously awarded contract for the repair of the roads to a competent world class construction company, Cranenburg.”

They urged Uzodinma to ignore Okorocha’s shenanigans and concentrate on using the instruments of law and state power to recover all that were looted by Okorocha, his relatives, friends, associates and cronies for Imo people. 

They also enjoined Imolites at home and in the Diaspora to support the programs and policies of the shared prosperity government that has visibly transformed the state within one year in office.

Others members of OPOCA who signed the  release include;Chief Canice Moore Nwachukwu, (Ome Ogo Orlu) National Organizing Secretary; Hon Engene Dibiagwu ,National Treasurer;Barr Emeka Agbo, National Director Legal Services;Chief Dona Nwaogu (Double Chief), National Director Provost\Protocols; Chief Dr Batos Nwadike (Oyi of Igboland), National Director, Political Affairs; Hon Modestus Nwankpa,  National Director Publicity;Prince Eze Ugochukwu (Ochiagha Nkwere) National Director,,Communications/ New Media;Chief Christian Ihuonu, National Director, Foreign Liason;Chief Mrs Nkechi Ugwu, National Director Women Affairs and Desmond Ajuluchi (Odogwu Deka), National Director, Youth Affairs.