Following astonishing discoveries made by the Governor of Imo state, Owelle Rochas Okorocha in some Ministries and Parastatals in the state, Trumpeta learnt that there will be more shake-ups in the State Executive Council Exco, where some Commissioners will be posted to different ministries, with some sent packing completely.
Our investigations unveiled that the next person on the target of the Governor is the Commissioner for Finance, Deacon Chike Okafor, who impeccable sources said was the reason the Governor posted out the former Accountant-General of the state, Sir George Etche to the Ministry of Works.
Trumpeta was informed that within the next few weeks, Okafor would be either sacked on moved to an obscure Ministry, as the search light of the Government has been beamed on him, on how the Ministry of Finance has been run since he assumed office in 2011.
Information has it that Okafor has lost face with the Governor who is already shopping for Okafor’s replacement, either with a member of the present Exco, or a Banker said to be from Nkwerre LGA.
It was learnt that Okafor has been too privy of the Imo state accounts, and needed to be changed, but there must be a reason to remove him, which is why the Government is digging deep.
Okafor, it would be recalled, has been a constant visitor to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, for being the custodian of Imo Exchequer, and is said to have known a lot about the financial transactions of the state.
Deacon Chike Okafor is said to be a comfortable man and dispenses parsonages to relations, friends, the old and young in Obowo, his LGA, which some people have questioned how he suddenly become a political collusus in the Area.
The youthful former Banker, was not into politics before, but seems to have embraced the “game” seamlessly to the shock of power brokers in Obowo, as his urbane and sharp dressings endear him to visitors.
However, Trumpeta learnt that despite his sterling qualities, his employers have grown tired of him and have resolved to shelve him aside any moment from now.
Trumpeta learnt that Okorocha is barring his fangs on his appointees, not matter who or connection
Recently he removed the OCDA Boss, Hon Iheanyi Abaekwume, and posted Commissioner, Bar Alaribe from the Transport Ministry to that of Housing.
Dependable sources have hinted Trumpeta that the issue of motor emblem may not be unconnected with the removal of Hon Iheukwumere Alaribe from the Transport sector. It was alleged that the Ministry of Transport/ Tourism through the sale of the emblem alone by contractors recover over N40m in few months.
Barr Alaribe was also accused to have clashed with Local Government Authorities on the LGR drive. It was reported that Hon Alaribe went and set up his own taskforce instead of respecting the directive of Owelle Rochas Okorocha to allow the IGR Commissioner, Nick Oparadudu to be in-charge of the motor emblems.
Abaekwume was alleged to been removed because he dabbled into area K land matter again which is still in court.
The TC chairman of Owerri Municipal took his family members to Government House to protest against former OCDA boss and his activities at area ‘K’ Land Palava.
Meanwhile, if concrete measures are not taken, the number of Governor Rochas Okorocha’s allies and foot soldiers leaving him and his APC will increase any moment.
Reason is that most of Okorocha’s ex-appointees and office holders are threatening to dump him for PDP over non payment of statutory entitlements.
The bone of contention is that the governor’s former aides who were appointed to several offices and entitled to some statutory payments are yet to receive their severance packages after they were sacked from office.
It would be recalled that the first set of commissioners were sacked namely Chief Ejike Chris Uche, Dr Cajethan Duruji and Ogueri.
Enwerem as well as Steve Ahaneku who resigned are yet to not only receive their full payment of statutory furniture allowances but also denied severance allowances as enshrined in the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission. However, the affected officials who were instrumental to Okorocha’s victory in 2011 guber have changed camp and pitched tent with other parties like APGA and PDP.
Similarly, the recent appointees offloaded in the last exercise have renewed threat to join forces with the opposition against Okorocha.
Trumpeta learnt that the aggrieved aides comprising ex-commissioners, Advisers, Senior Special Assistants and Personal Assistants have given one month grace notice to the governor to pay the severance allowances or lose them to the opposition parties.
It was learnt that the new threat came after the intervention of the Deputy Governor and Chief of staff who asked them to tarry a while before deserting the governor.
The ex-appointees lamented that the manner Okorocha sacked them without any compensation and unwillingness to look into their plights would force them to look elsewhere for political relevance.
