By okey alozie
Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has at different fora challenged the federal government to mention any legitimate project it has executed fully in Imo and this particular question has been putting President Jonathan and his campaign team to a bad light.
Against this back drop, Prof. Mrs Viola Onwuliri Minister in President’s cabinet, in a press session with Journalists in Owerri Monday presented numerous projects which the federal government under the leadership of President Jonathan has executed in Imo. She also declared that Okorocha must surely pay for the insult he has given to the President.
The minister for state on Education explained that President Goodluck Jonathan has done enough to Imo people. According to her, Mr President has done a lot of projects in the various institutions of Owerri including Imo state university that is owned by the state government.
She revealed that N5.5b was recently released to IMSU for the development of projects there. In addition, she hinted that equipment worth over N6b was supplied to IMSU for the upgrading of the Engineering Department and to make it more effective.
Prof Viola Onwuliri further said that the federal government provides N20m to support entrepreneurship at IMSU centre.
Other projects in Imo state under President Jonathan which the minister mentioned includes the twin storey buildings sponsored by federal government through Universal Basic Education (UBEC) in the 305 political wards of Imo state.
Contracts of Architectural Department at Poly Nekede, Rectors Office, Admin, block A,B,C ultra modern Diagnostic Complex pediatric Unit (FMC) Owerri. Projects at Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education Owerri Imo State.
Professor Onwuliri maintained that the federal government has raised the standard of living of Imo people through different agencies adding that more will be done if President Jonathan comes back to power after the election. She raised eyebrows on the claims of the state government on some of these projects mentioned.
She regretted that Governor Rochas Okorocha has to open his mouth and insult the president in the name of politics.
“Okorocha will surely pay for all the insult that he has given to Mr President”. Prof Mrs Onwuliri declared.
She narrated that she knew Okorocha very well more than those who claim they are close to him. The minister disclosed that both of them started in Jos, Pleatus state.
Imo is unlucky to have Okorocha as governor”. Prof Mrs Onwuliri also said.
Meanwhile, second term aspiration of Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State to govern the state may have suffered a major set back as the people of Orlu Senatorial Zone where the governor hails from have advised the governor to forget about his re-election bid as his first term was a disappointment to Imo State, particularly Orlu geo-political zone.
The apex socio-cultural organization of the entire Orlu geo-political zone, Orlu Zurumee, who cautioned the governor against dabbling into the governorship race, threatened to mobilize forces against him should he disregard this warning. According to them “no man however great is greater than his own people Okorocha’s. Second term will be a disaster”.
Disclosing this stance when the new Caretaker Committee members of the organization led by its President General, Prince Macdonald Akano paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman of Imo State and South East Councils of Traditional Rulers in Owerri, HRH Eze (Dr.) Cletus Ilomuanya, the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Organization, Chief. Ray Okoro averred that “Rochas has failed us and there is nothing positive again he can offer Orlu People in particular and Imo people in general”.
The BOT Chairman who described Eze Ilomuanya as a goal getter and pride to Imo State, stated that “Rochas said he will stay for only four years and that a good student do not repeat class. We are tired of him just as his re-election will be a disaster to Imo State. Let him go in peace? He opined Orlu Zurumee is undergoing restructuring and therefore needed the support of well meaning Orlu people to achieve its aims.
Adducing reasons why Governor Okorocha should be halted in his second term aspiration, the new President General of Orlu Zurumee and former Special Adviser on Project Monitoring to Governor Okorocha, Prince MacDonald Akano, argued that “Okorocha has over stayed his welcome and that there is dire need for positive change in Imo State”.
Akano told Eze Ilomuanya, whom he described as a big masquerade that cannot’ be easily tossed around, that “when a true Igbo man takes over power by May 29, 2015 in Imo State, we will rejoice with you. Right now, we are in bondage”. He praised the monarch for promoting the identity of Ndigbo in Nigeria, positing that ‘as an asset the entire Orlu people are with you and your fight is our fight.
In his remarks, HRH Eze (Dr.) Cletus Ilomuanya advised the new leadership of Orlu Zurumee to remain focused as the task ahead is enormous. He enjoined them to be fair to all manner of persons, pointing out that Orlu people at home and in the Diaspora believe in them. “I have confidence in you and you can always count on my support”, Eze Ilomuanya assured.
Meanwhile, the re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), got a boost over the weekend from the South East as traditional rulers in Imo State unanimously endorsed his re-election for a second term in office as Nigeria’s President.
The endorsement of President Jonathan during a courtesy call at the Palace Extension of the Chairman of Imo State and South East Councils of Traditional Rulers in Owerri, HRH Eze (Dr.) Cletus Ilomuanya, was thereafter followed by the pourng of royal blessings and libation for President Jonathan’s victory at the polls by the monarchs, who trooped out in their large numbers to welcome the President.
Speaking at the event, the Monarchs’ Chairman, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya assured President Jonathan of the total support of the Monarchs not only in Imo State but in the entire South East Zone. He said that the President’s achievements so far have endeared him to them, pointing out that Nigerians will appreciate more, the leadership qualities of President Jonathan during his second tenure in office.
“Imo State Traditional Rulers and indeed the South East unflinchingly support your laudable programmes and re-election bid. We, the kings have spoken and so shall it be,” Eze Ilomuanya told President Jonathan.
Earlier, President Goodluck Jonathan had commended the South East people for their consistent support, recalling that during the 2011 elections, “no party except the PDP got up to 5% of votes from the South East”. He stated that he is part of South East Zone, pointing out that this makes it imperative that PDP must win both the Presidency and the Imo governorship seat in next month’s election.
According to the president “Emeka Ihedioha is your in-coming governor. With Ihedioha holding sway here in Imo State as governor and I, as your President, we can achieve a lot for Imo State and the South East zone”. He thanked Imo people and the royal fathers for their prayers and support, assuring that he will reciprocate their goodwill
