Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives and Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in Imo State, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, has restated that Governor Rochas Okorocha allegedly misappropriated N175 billion belonging to the local governments and as such, Imo people have rejected him for a second term.
Speaking to Imo indigenes in Onitsha, Anambra State,
Ihedioha said investigations revealed that Okorocha had collected from the Federation Account over N175 billion council funds from May 2011 to December 2014 which the APC administration cannot account for.
He said that there has not been any clear explanation from the state government as to how the funds were expended, adding that the governor has a case to answer over the alleged misappropriated funds. “We have asked them what they used the money to do, they told us that they have used the money of the local government system collected between May 2011 and December 2014 to build 305 schools in Imo State, they told us that they used the money to build 27 hospitals in Imo State. We know that these projects have not been completed.
“We asked them how much did they use to build each of them. They also said that they used the proceeds from Ada Palm about N4billion as concessioned to Roche to build the 305 primary schools and 27 hospitals. They also told us that they used part of the N18.5 billion bond they collected from Ikedi Ohakim’s administration to also build the same primary schools and hospitals.”
According to the governorship hopeful, “to utilise funds belonging to local governments to other purposes other than the development of the council areas is a breach of the Constitution and breach of the will of the people and that offence is punishable. The way to punish that offence is to vote that government of Rochas out.”
He, however, assured that when by the Grace of God he becomes the next governor, he would govern by the Rule of Law, adding that his administration would be a government of collectivity.
The deputy speaker assured the huge crowd: “When you elect me governor, your labour will never be in vain and I know how to say thank you because I am a grateful man, I shall always show gratitude and the way to show appreciation is to give you good governance which you shall not regret.”
While acknowledging the support given to him outside the state, he promised also to rule the state with the fear of God by the strength that would be given to him by Imo people through their votes.
Ihedioha who also visited the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka and former governor of Anambra State Peter Obi, promised to restore the dignity of Imo man, give education the pride of place, to restore the dignity of labour, to enter into partnership with the youths, to provide enabling environment for industries, to restore the 10,000 jobs disbanded by Okorocha, to restore the santity of local government administration and development centres in the state.
Also speaking, Mr Obi, while calling on the people to vote for Ihedioha and President Goodluck Jonathan, accused Governor Okorocha of huge debt burden, regretting that Imo State “is now indebted to the tune of N30billion.”
He also expressed regret over the fallen standard of education in Imo, adding that the state which used to be the pride of South-East in the time past is today at the bottom of ladder in examinations .
The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, who presented the President, urged the people to vote massively for Jonathan and PDP candidates, adding that what Jonathan has done for Nigerians, he deserves to be returned to continue with his good works.
Also the National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, urged the people to ensure that they vote for the government at the centre, adding that the development in Anambra State was because the immediate past administration keyed into the Federal Government.
Others present at the event held at Holiday Resort, Onitsha include Senators Jerry Alagbaoso, Joy Emordi, PDP National Woman leader, Ambassador Kema Chikwe, House of Representatves members and top businessmen and women.
