Emeka Ihedioha, the governor-elect of Imo State has pointed accusing finger at the state governmrnt for allegedly doing everything to blackmail him.
He stated that officials of the state government loyal to Rochas Okorocha has been working tirellesly to disrupt his inauguration shedule to take place on Wednesday.
While speaking at a world press conference on Saturday, in Owerri, the capital city of Imo State, Chris Okewulonu, the chairman of the governor-elect’s inauguration planning and handover committee stated that the outgoing governor, Rochas Okorocha never assisted the committee in any way to ensure a smooth swearing in ceremony.
Okewulonu stated that “In the course of our work, we met thrice with the outgoing government’s team, believing that issues agreed upon will be strictly adhered to. Unfortunately, reverse proved to be the case.
“Rather, we have taken note of deliberate attempts by some hirelings of the state government to blackmail the incoming governor with baseless and spurious assertions.
“In the last couple of weeks, the mass media has been awash with N150m purportedly released by governor Okorocha to the incoming governor to assist him in the inauguration planning exercise.
“Let me restate for emphasis that no such money was ever released to this committee or to anybody else who is part of the incoming government of Emeka Ihedioha. We have not also received any form of assistance whatsoever from them. We are indeed piqued at the futile attempts by some busy-bodies to take undeserved glory for the wonderful achievements the incoming governor has recorded even before assumption of office.”
It will be recalled that few days ago the transition committee of the governor-elect had revealed that the governor never released any funds for the swearing in ceremony. The committee disclosed this in a statement issued by the secretary of his inauguration and handover committee, Ray Emeana,
He stated that “For the avoidance of doubts, Governor Rochas Okorocha and his outgoing government have not released any money to the Inauguration Planning and Handover Committee. The committee has not requested for any money either. Rather, the joint committee made up of the 31–member Ihediohia team and the 21–member Rochas Okorocha team met and adopted common resolutions on how best to proceed with the inauguration activities. Rochas Okorocha has since abandoned the mutual resolutions and proceeded with his “Internet-based Commissioning of Internet Sited Projects.
“Conscious of the importance Imo people attach to the May 29, 2019 handover date, the Ihedioha/Irona inauguration committee has proceeded with arrangements to deliver a world-class inauguration to Imo people come May 29, 2019.
“Arrangements to ensure this delivery include such activities such as providing clean environments within and around event venues including the Dan Anyiam and Grass Hoppers Handball stadia.
“Indeed, Imo is already agog with excitement. Currently, Owerri is the destination of choice for prominent Nigerians at home and in the diaspora. The hotels are fully booked. Flights into Owerri are filled up. The venues for the various programmes are wearing new and fresh looks.
SOURCE: THE PUNCH
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