Imo Governor’s Last Statue in Owerri is Buhari
By Onyekachi Eze The outing Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha has finally moulded the Nigeria’s
By Onyekachi Eze The outing Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha has finally moulded the Nigeria’s
With few days left for the administration of Owelle Rochas Okorocha to seize from existence
The last minute face-saving plot by the out-going Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha
By Okey Alozie Governor Rochas Okorocha’s appointees have allegedly started hiding government vehicles and other
Indications are that the swearing-in ceremony of the next Governor of Imo State, which comes
By Amaechi Kingsley On Monday 13th May 2019, all roads will lead to Saint Rose
Okorocha: As Governor. I Own All Lands in Imo .As Imo Poly Host Community Insists on Non Removal of Institution Part of the high point of the meeting governor of Imo State had with host community of Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo in Ohaji/Egbema LGA, the state government wants to relocate for the creation of public private partnership, PPP University, known as the Imo State University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, was reported assertion from the governor that all lands in the state belongs to him. For about three days, academic and other activities at the Imo Poly were grounded to a halt following protests by the host community against plans to move the school to another location for a University. Addressing leaders of the community and other stakeholders drawn from the unions in the schools and student body, Okorocha informed the community that all lands belongs to him and he can use them for any purpose. The Governor’s reaction may not be unconnected to part of the reasons why the host community vehemently opposed the removal of Imo Poly for a varsity. Earlier in a position speech made by people of Umuagwo, the spokesman and a community leader Chief Johnbosco Ben had said that the host community is not averse to development or establishment of the University in the premises but the manner and style applied by the state government which was not only suspicious but believed to be deceitful. According to Chief JB Ben, a former House of Assembly member who represented Ohaji State Constituency during the Enwerem era, there is no known law in Imo State that authorized the state government to remove Imo Poly for a University. Going down memory lane, Chief JB Ben told Okorocha that in 1976, the land was acquired from Umuagwo people, it was for public interest and not for public private partnership, PPP arrangement that is being witnessed today. Explaining further, the spokesperson who also came with the Town Union executive and other leaders of the community disclosed that a fundamental error is being practiced in the whole arrangement as no law backs government action. “His Excellency” began Chief JB Ben, “it might interest you to note that when it was acquired by the state government 1976, there was an Edict backing the conversion of the location of College of Agriculture Umuagwo. There was also a law to back it up when it became Micheal Okpara College of Agriculture, same for when Udenwa administrations made it Micheal Okpara College of Agriculture and Technology (MOCATECH). “By 2007 Ohakim made it a full fledged Polytechnic, there was a law by the House of Assembly” The Umuagwo spokesperson further reminded the governor that the multi campus system his administration came up with has a law, but now that they are talking of a University, there is no law before the people of a state converting/upgrading it to a University from Polytechnic unlike in the past as regards the status of the institution. The governor was reminded that apart from the Imo State University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences talking about Aboh/Ngor Okpala, there is no law changing the status to University. Umuagwo people through Chief JB Ben further informed the governor that their land was not acquired for PPP operators and if for any reason it has to change, the land owners deserve to be notified for clarity purposes. Okorocha who told the people, all lands in the state belong to him as the Chief Executive of Imo asked Umuagwo people to go home and put their position on paper and send it back to him.
Imo Assembly In Fresh #25M Bribery Scandal – Shortchanged Lawmakers Disrupt Plenary Session As Soldiers
Ahead May 29 Handover: Okorocha’s Transition Programme Hits Rock .Governor-Elect Absent, In Germany For Official Function The out-going Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha’s Transition programe that will climax with the swearing-in of the in-coming Governor, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, may not go as planned, as the Governor-Elect is still on over sea tour on official functions. According to information available, to Trumpeta, after much foot-dragging, Governor Okorocha formed a Transition Committee to plan for the swearing-in ceremony of May 29, 2019, without first consulting with his would-be successor to know his schedules. Sources told Trumpeta that because of this lapse, Ihedioha had earlier already made his own plans, which could not correspond with Okorocha’s plan. Therefore, the Okorocha Transition programme which commenced on May 29, 2019, with a “meeting with the Governor and Governor-Elect” for the “inauguration of Joint Committee, Tour of Government House” which holds at Government House Owerri on May 2, 2019 could not hold because of the absence of the Governor-elect. Indications are that the second programe scheduled for May 3rd 2019, which is “Governor and Governor-Elect Meeting with Transition Rulers” may also not hold. Meanwhile, in a Release signed by Chibuike Onyeukwu, the Media Aide to the Governor- elect, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, it was stated clear that Ihedioha will be away in Germany from May 2nd-4th 2019, for an event at World Conference Centre in Bonn, Germany. “The Governor elect, in his quest to explore investment opportunities for the State, will also hold strategic meetings dimed at seeking the cooperation of several development Partners from all over the world who will attend the event”. Close sources to the Governor-Elect who spoke to Trumpeta said that Ihedioha did not shun Okorocha’s Transition programmes as being insinuated in some quarters, but is attending to important functions and events earlier booked before the Okorocha Transition Committee released their programme. “There is no sense in making insinuations. Ihedioha travelled for important function that will benefit Imo State. He will join in the other programes immediately he returns home from over sea” a source told Trumpeta.
Faces To Miss In Govt House Owerri After May 29th By Onyekachi Eze As the transition to usher in another regime commences today, it is certain some faces would likely be missed from Government House, Owerri. The seat of power in Imo State, otherwise known as Douglas House in the past before the incumbent christened it “Peoples” in the past eight years have characters who made it thick. Since Okorocha’s tenure is about to expire and his likelihood of controlling the affairs of the state from May 29, 2019 very remote, some faces definitely shall be missed in the place. NNEOMA OKOROCHA Apart from the governor, his wife Nneoma Okorocha is the main figure to join. The Governor’s wife can be said to be the controlling force behind the scene in Okorocha’s government. Her political structures are superb and she is well known in the place. Trumpeta learnt that her popularity within Govt House circle and formation of various groups with lieutenants made her the de facto governor. When things are not in proper shape, Nneoma comes into action. She will be missed. UCHE NWOSU: A key figure in the administration of Okorocha from 2011 when he was Deputy Chief of Staff. Even when he was appointed Commissioner, Nwosu was a regular at Govt House. His command of the location was strengthened later following his appointment in 2015 as Chief of Staff. Nwosu was more or less in charge of Govt House affairs even when he resigned to run for the governorship race. PASCHAL OBI: For over seven years, the former Principal Secretary to Okorocha, Paschal Obi dictated the pace of affairs of the Government House. The governor’s kinsman was powerful because all official matters coming out from Government House was through him during the Okorocha golden era until he resigned to run federal house race of Ideato. A strong ally of the governor and advocate of Rescue Mission, he was responsible for all details that emanated from Govt House. KINGSLEY UJU: Another powerful figure who will be missed in Douglas House as Okorocha vacates is Kingsley Uju. Though he came from nowhere in terms of political pedigree, but warmed into the heart of the Okorocha family to occupy a vital space in the administration. After working as their contract executive, Uju came in as the Deputy Chief of Staff Operations Govt House. The position made him a co-landlord and another oracle to behold. OGECHI OLOLO: From the Okorocha family came the governor’s younger sister, Ogechi Ololo. From the inception of Okorocha administration, the younger sister became a power broker that can’t fail to be mentioned as one of the strong pillars of the governor in Govt House. She was the Deputy Chief of Staff (Domestic) and currently Commissioner for Happiness and Couples Fulfillment. Anyone who had any business with the governor was through her. She was powerful to an extent to earn “Nwanne Governor” nickname. LASBERY OKAFORANYANWU: The Commissioner of Transport at a time was a resident of Govt House. There was in time he was not spotted in Douglas House except in other functions as he was always around to consult with the Governor. visitors and workers in Govt House feel his office was in Govt House where he was reported to have formulated the decision to remove Keke and manage ITC Lasbery has been a trusted aide to Okorocha who the governor always consults in certain affairs.