By Samuel Ibezim
Thursday, June 13, at the Imo State House of Assembly complex, major political misfortune did hit the political camp of Owelle Rochas Okorocha as Rt. Hon. Acho Ihim, former speaker, dumped both Action Alliance, AA party and the party’s governorship tribunal case at the shock of all.
Rt. Hon. Gerald Irona, Imo State Deputy Governor, many PDP chieftains and supporters of the 27 lawmakers were present for the inauguration if the 9th Assembly when he made the announcement. Ihim said that he has decided to pull out of the governorship case at the tribunal because of the believe that God will bless whom He wants to believe and in the spirit of sportsmanship. That after consulting with family, friends and followers, he decided to withdraw from any court litigation to enable the governor focus in serving the people.
Congratulating Speaker Chiji and the newly sworn lawmakers, he said that he is particularly happy with the speaker because “he is a man that you can take his words to the bank.” Ihim expressed his optimism that with the likes of Hon. Barr. Kennedy Ibeh of Obowo State Constituency, Hon. Lawman Duruji of Ehime Mbano State Constituency and Ambassador Uju Onwudiwe of Njaba State Constituency among other ranking and new lawmakers; the 9th Assembly will perform well.
However, he drew the anger of the people at the gallery and the hallowed chamber as he was booed for over two minutes when he undiplomatically announced that the immediate past governor, Okorocha did his best. It took Speaker Chiji time to douse the tension.
Meanwhile, the duo of Ibeh and Duruji have dumped AA to PDP. The Speaker announced it before adjourning till next week Tuesday.
