Barring any unforeseen circumstances or change of mind from election seekers serving in the government of Owelle Rochas Okorocha, the Executive Council of the Imo state government will witness empty spaces before the end of the week.
Trumpeta reliably learnt that a reasonable percent of members of the executive council, including commissioners, Advisers Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants and other categories of appointees like TC chairmen and Board members will in response to the directive of the governor throw-in the towel to face their 2015 election ambition.
Okorocha had on Tuesday reportedly informed members of the state executive at a meeting in Government House, Owerri, that those interested in seeking elective position should relinquish their fortunes and face individual electoral programmes. The governor who did not give reasons for the repeated order however informed the would be persons that those quitting from office should return their official vehicles back to enable them get full payment of their severance allowances which they are entitled.
Trumpeta gathered that the renewed directive may not be unconnected to the unconfirmed report that the governor wants to over haul his executive to usher in new blood to tackle 2015 election where he is expected to re-contest for a second tenure.
Government House sources revealed that the in-fighting and mutual suspicion that have been ravaging the Executive council over coming 2015 election may have spurred the governor into action to weed unwanted elements.
It was also observed that the distraction caused by political officers who abandon their offices for private politicking is said to be affecting business of government in government offices.
However, appointees in Okorocha’s government to quit from office to run for an elective position are said to be taking the governor’s statement with a pinch of salt. The out going appointees expressed fear if their boss will keep to his words of paying their severance should they return their vehicles following the harsh treatment metted to their predecessors.
Moments after the meeting, some of the would be elective office seekers discussed in husheds tones about the governor’s promise adding that those who returned their vehicles for over two years till date never got their severance pay.
Apart from those who served Ohakim, Okorocha starved the first set of commissioners and other categories of appointees sacked from the executive council during the last exercise are as they still crying out for payment of their outstanding payment and allowances.
Expected to resign are commissioner for information, TOE Ekechi, his counterparts for pension/IGR, and industry and non formal sector Nick Opara Ndudu and Ugochi Nnanna Okoro respectively. While Ekechi will be going for Ngor Okpala/Aboh Mbaise Federal Constituency, the duo of Opara Ndudu and Nnanna Okoro want to represent Owerri zone in the Senate seat.
