For some time now, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has been galloping from one controversy to the other. Some of these controversies appear either orchestrated by him or his aides. Either way, they have done more harm than good to the governor and his administration.
The latest of such needless controversies involves the near-bloody clash between the governor’s convoy and that of Senator Chris Anyanwu, who represents Owerri zone at the National Assembly. Interestingly, both Okorocha and Anyanwu are of the same political party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Unfortunately, their paths have crossed several times lately.
The latest clash between the duo on December 26, 2012, is by all accounts, a flagrant and shameful show of raw power. The two camps have given their versions of the unfortunate incident which took place along Azaraegbelu in Owerri North local government of the state. Anyanwu, who said she had visited the governor earlier in the day to felicitate with him on the Christmas season, has explained that on her way to her hometown, Mbaise, that same day, her convoy noticed “an intimidating convoy bearing down on her convoy with full compliments of security operatives.”
She said on her instruction, her convoy gave way for the governor’s convoy to pass, but instead, the governor’s convoy pulled up and his security operatives unleashed a battery of attacks on her aides, disarmed her security aide, dragged her driver into a bush and brutalized him. Senator Anyanwu also alleged that the governor watched while the ugly spectacle lasted.
But the State Government, in a statement by the governor’s aide on media, Mr. Ebere Uzoukwa, dismissed Anyanwu’s version of the incident. Instead, the government claimed that it was the senator’s convoy that rammed into the governor’s convoy, and the governor “narrowly escaped death”. The statement further accused Senator Anyanwu’s convoy of using siren, which has been banned in the state to check the activities of criminals. All things considered, the near-free for all between Governor Okorocha’s convoy and that of Senator Anyanwu is one ugly incident too many.
This latest incident happened barely two weeks after security operatives attached to the governor reportedly battered a commercial bus driver in the state capital for allegedly blocking the governor’s convoy. It is sad and, indeed, unfortunate that Governor Okorocha has either wittingly or unwittingly allowed himself or his aides to carry on with such uncouth and barbaric behaviour that should not be permitted in a civilized society. Such unruly behaviour belongs to the jungle.
It is also regrettable that Okorocha has learnt nothing from similar abuse of power by his predecessor in office, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, whose security operatives dehumanized a Catholic priest because the priest purportedly did not give the ex-governor’s convoy the right of way. That unfortunate episode did not help Ohakim re-election bid at all. Okorocha needs reminding that those “who fail to learn from history are bound to repeat it”.
It is, therefore, very disheartening that Okorocha, who rode to power on the crest of seeming public disapproval of the actions of the immediate past administration in the state, is now surpassing his predecessor’s high-handedness by harassing and intimidating the people who elected him to serve them. Last year alone, some of the governor’s unpopular policies left the people disenchanted. Today, Imo State fondly called the “Eastern Heartland”, is gradually becoming a den of armed gangs, with even the government’s own officials not spared by kidnappers.
This is one terror the governor ought to devote his energies to contain rather than unnecessary show of power. Governance is a human enterprise. The Chief Executive of a State holds power in trust for the people. It is not a horsewhip to be turned against the people. Therefore, elected officials should learn and practise how to use power. That is the essence of leadership. It should be deployed for the good of the people, not against them.
The governor risks squandering the goodwill of Imo citizens if he continues in this unbridled, naked use of executive power. Beyond the Imo State convoy clash, we urge the police authorities and other security agencies to review the issue of use of convoys by public officers. The way they are used by those in authority today leaves much to be desired.
If these allegations are correct, then the gov should retrace his footsteps.
I have seen Mr Okorocha and his wife making genuine efforts to provide for the less priviledged in Imo state, free education, giving out houses and relief items to widows, dancing with them & giving Imo people a new sense of governance. Such a person cannot be said to be arrongant I guess. I am not too sure what Sen Chris Anyanwu has achieved for her people. However, if the roads are too narrow to accomodate two or even three”political convoys” at the same time, Rochas & Anyanwu should work together to build Abuja type or Uyo type trunk A highways in Owerri so that wahala will go, and Imo people too can enjoy the roads.
Even former governor of Abia state, “Dr.” Orji Kalu who is raw and uncouth is better than Okorocha. Okorocha is a huge dissappointment to human race.
PDP FOLLOWERS,,, ANTI CHRIST…
Nigeria is just an uncivilised civilised set of people. Even Obama have no right to do that to a foreigner here in the state.
Each day I visit this site to find out what is going on there, all I see is Nigerian youth commenting against tribes and ethnic without thinking of how to come together and fight for their right.
Shame to you all as you will continue to suffer in the hands of the tyrants call Nigerian government.
Well spoken J J, tribalistic comments takes 80 percent of all comments stated here mostly all arrogant, it quickly tells you how unexposed our people are….,
Nigeria is just an uncivilised civilised set of people. Even Obama have no right to do that to a foreigner here in the state.
Each day I visit this site to find out what is going on there, all I see is Nigerian youth commenting against tribes and ethnic without thinking of how to come together and fight for their right.
Shame to you all as you will continue to suffer in the hands of the tyrants call Nigerian government. Wish you all luck come 2013
Any editorial meant to attack or satirize Gov.Okorocha’s show of raw power is like a stone been thrown into an ocean which cannot affect fishes or the ocean itself hence Media aides/secrataries censor & filter reports that may affect him. They disallow him from reading such an effective report like this. Unless The Sun can directly hand in this report to him, the writers’ aim cannot be achieved.
May God bless THE SUN editorial board.
I AM JUST COMING BACK FROM IMO STATE AFTER SPENDING MY XMAS AND NEW YEAR. THIS GIVES ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE AROUND THE STATE TO SEE THINGS FOR MYSELF.
I MUST CONFESS THAT ROCHAS OKOROCHA IS THE BEST GOVERNOR IN NIGERIA. LOVE HIM OR HATE HIM, THE MAN HAS TRANSFORMED IMO-STATE. FROM OWERRI TO OKIGWE, TO MBANO, MBASI, ORLU JUST EVERY PART OF THE STATE HAS SOME GOVERNMENT PROJECT GOING ON. NOT JUST A PROJECT BUT HUGE PROJECTS. I DOO MY CAP FOR OWELLE.
THERE MUST BE CRITICISMS IN ANYTHING EVEN GOD OUR LORD RECEIVES HIS OWN SHARE OF IT. OWELLE DO NOT BE DISTRACTED. JUST FULFILL YOU BOND WITH IMO PEOPLE. AS FOR THE WOMAN WHO HAS LOST RESPECT TO MEN, FORGET ABOUT HER , ALL THE CITIZENS I TALKED TO ABOUT CHRIS SAID THAT THE WOMAN WANT TO BE MAN BY FORCE THATS WHY HE OR SORRY SHE ANSWERS MAN,S NAME.
Evans please find out if the Governor has paid the Contractors for those projects you saw. Okorocha is just using poor contractors to execute project and taking the glory and their money also. The man is just greedy. Okocha has messed up lots of Contractors to the extent that some are now in serious trouble with their creditors. Okorocha can not release government money to pay for government project. The man is too greedy
Mr evan, I don’t know where you came back from but I do know with some level of certainty that you did not travel to all the places you mentioned, if you did, it means then that you are either a lier or you are intentionaly misleading ppl. Remember too that the writer wrote about misuse of power and not that the gov is working or not. If you realy lovd okorocha and want him to succeed you tell him the truth and maybe he might change from his bad ways- if he is not the saint all of you are turning him to- And insulting sen anyanwu the way you did means that you still have some growing up to do. And part of growing up is looking at stories like this from both sides and draw reasonable conclutions and not insult ppl
Boy evans , with no hate, please tell what the south east governors has done? reconstruction of old roads and rennovations…what else? In this 21century? roads, good clinics,hospitals, good schools, access to good and safety transportation system , job opportunities, construction of thousands of affordable houses, paying of pensioners…..these are neccessity, these are your right and my right, these are every citizens right………IT IS NOT A TOOL FOR RE-ELECTION BY ANY GOVERNOR FROM THE SOUTH EAST
Am sick and tied of ill-educated igbo voters, i dont blame my people soo much, the post war symdrome , added with heavy and unforgiven intimidation from the so-called rich and there surposed to be our law enforcement agencies are giving to my people…..adding to all this, one could lost track from his right or left……while african illuminates are gain higher grounds……..BIG SHAME TO NDIGBO
Evans u re not indignie of imo state,wat makes okorocha the best governor,is oncompleted projects and 4th tier of government,have u been to akwa ibom…..2015 will tell u that okorocha,is minus one…let’s keep watching…
I DONT KNOW WHO TO BELIEVE.
Rogers I am from Imo- State, Iam talking base on what I saw so any how the man did to achieve such a wonderful feat, I respect him for that.
No one is perfect but to compare with other state I visited during the long holiday, I saw government in action in Imo-state. I am not a great fan of Rochas, I am not happy with the making of his girl friend special advicer on whatever affair but my annoyance will never becloud my sense of sound judgement.
Sorry,Evans,I appreciate.ur kind of person and the civilised manner of addrrsing issues like this.we will keep watching okorocha,aand see where he will land…I wish him well …don’t be angry With me for calling u non indegine…
I’m still WATCHING this Okorocha
This man knows how to use Power!He knows the game.He is just a gameman.A man who believes what he is doing alone is right and would’nt want to listen to he so called advisers.But one thing is certain he can never stay in that seat all his live.We can see all the roads,taxes.Thanks to him alittle.
U don’t conclude a case frm a single witness. The writer did not tell us d govnors side of d story. He’s already biassed & so also his story. Who intimidated who?? D govnor or d senator?? So unbalanced. Ur story is so misleading & full of apologies 4d senator. U suddenly became d judge, a cheap one. Sorry oo. O pele oo! This is politics. Whether minus one or plus one, Owelle is a gift frm God to Imo. 2015 is only 2yrs away. Owelle is d man until he says I’m done. May God help us.
Abeg easy, i see ur number, nobody shall intimidate us and we shall never intimidate others, we shall be our brothers keeper, we watch our backs for eachother, we protect our sisters and our mothers……….LET NO ONE PRIZE!
my fellow igbos , now we know why ORJI KALU is and should remain our present political pillar to reckon..i use to count rochas as one of our vibrant up coming igbo political figure despite how he flip flopped from so called northern party to pdp during the 2003 primaries, still we somehow believed in him again……but fighting a woman? Respected politician cannot do that….DR. ORJI UZOR KALU will never descend soo low for such, rather he show wisdom and maturity in a proper way………….grow up sons!
@Roggers as your name appears so you words are take a good look at yourself
Imo pple, u pple confusing us the outer siders, pls tell us the truth if there is any truth among or from the politicans
Culturally a woman does not raise shoulders with man, senator anyanwu should hv as a representative of the people given the governor the respect he deserved as no one citizen of th state, going to the press or sponsoring a publications like this is a blantant show of ruddeness and does not potray her in a good light, for the governor , lets leave him, for his works will determine his fate in 2015.
The other day it was Gov.Okorocha on the donation of 500m#,yesterday it was Governor Okorocha/Senator Chris Anyanwu over right of way.This editorial about one person is boring.SUN live up.
This is an unbiased writeup. I believe strongly that the attitude of a Governor’s aides is a function of the Governor’s directive to them. If a Governor instructs his aides to be civil when they drive in a convoy, they certainly will obey. After all, Governor Fashola’s convoy does not use siren nor chase people out of the road. His convoy obeys traffic rules. That is a function of the Governor’s civility and directive. It is as simple as that. Therefore, Governor Rochas Okorocha(if he is truly guilty) and other Governors should emulate Gov Fashola, and respect the right of other road users whenever they drive in their convoy.
My people…my people… No cause for alarm… My mission is to rescue IMO State.. That must be done… Even if I Rochas Anayo Okorocha.. OON The people’s Governor have to flagrantly and shamefully use raw power. to drive away all possible contenders to IMO State Governor come 2015..starting with Senator Chris Anyanwu.. Others and their supporters beware attn Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha.. Capt Emma Iheanacho..
This is the hand work of APGA,S political enemies in IMO State sponsored by the most wicked former governor ( Ohakim) Imo people has ever had. Compiling a useless incidents that happened to a man,s office, on his way to official job, his eating habit, include also his privacy after official engagements right there at his rest room. You can never see or smell IMO state house again, ur propaganda must amount efforts on futility shameless idiot. When u bit up a servant of God, don,t you see the out come or the consequences thereafter. All ur apologist are as useless as you are, we are not taken them serious. This is the only time we re having a good leader in the state after Chief Sam Mbakwe of blessed memory. Your stupid campaign calumny against a vibrant leader like Okorocha can never yield any concrete dividend, you have been forsaken by Almighty God forever.
Dear Owerri, stop casting spells on any person. This a forum for free expression of one’ opinion. You are free to counter opinion based on your perception and understanding of an issue. Some one has earlier in this forum advised that it is in our good interest not to fight one another, that is a fact. Let us learn to build rather than to destroy. Criticism is all about challenge in constructive manner so as to bring out ideas for problem solution. Please, let us do more on the positive side rather than on the negative.
rochas is d best gov so far in imo state after nbakwe. Pdp stop talkin rubish