Uzodimma Explains Cause of Row with Okorocha
Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, on Tuesday in Abuja told journalists that he had no personal issue with his predecessor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, saying he did not send thugs to attack him at the Royal Spring Palm Estate, Owerri as claimed by the later.
He said Okorocha personally went to the estate owned by Nkechi Okorocha which has been seized by the state government with thugs who wounded some “policemen and civil defense civil people.”
The governor told State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, why the estate was sealed by his administration.
He said: “You will recall that before I became governor, the (Emeka) Ihedioha administration set up a judicial panel of inquiry to look into acquisitions and allegations of lands, converting government lands to personal property, and then removing private lands from individuals and giving to other individuals.
“The judicial panel of inquiry chaired by a judge met and they concluded their job and a white paper had since been raised.
“You know institutions and agencies that are involved with implementation are doing their job.
“And the only thing I know is that a few days ago, one of the properties sealed by the government, the former governor went there with his thugs.
“You people saw it, it was was live. He went there with thugs himself, wounded the policemen there, wounded the Civil Defense Civil people. A civil defence officer is currently still in the hospital. He (Okorocha) then broke in (to the estate).
“You must have heard him say that he is richer than government and that he is above the law. I am not directly involved. It is a position taken by the government. There is a difference between a governor and a government.
“The government of Imo State sealed a property. And I think that if there is anything anybody considers that is not right, the person should go to court and not to take laws into their hands or adopt self-help.
“I remember that under Ihedioha, there was a recovery committee, chaired by one Jasper Ndubaku. When they tried to visit Okorocha’s house, they were beaten to a stupor. And the same man who did that is now also doing the same thing.
“People should know the difference between being a governor and government decisions and policies.”
In an earlier statement by his chief press secretary, the governor said “Nothing can be as embarrassing and unfortunate as a former governor deliberately flouting the law and instead of facing the reality, he is busy stoking flame with inciting comments he knows are not a true representation of what the APC government of Governor Uzodimma stands for.
“Senator Okorocha should eat the humble pie, face his case squarely with the police on Royal Spring Estate closure and where he thinks higher authorities can be of assistance, approach them with decorum and responsibly.”
