Imo Commends Orji For Reinstating Sacked Non-indigenes

Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo has commended his Abia counterpart for reinstating sacked Imo indigenes working in Abia.

The commendation is contained in a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Okorocha, Mr Sam Onwuemedo on Thursday in Owerri.

“The government of Imo State has received with delight the report that the Governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore Orji, has in his wisdom, reinstated non-indigenes in the state who were sacked from the state’s civil service some time ago.

“The Imo governor and indeed, the government of the state wish to sincerely commend the Abia governor for appreciating the concern of most Nigerians, especially the Igbos over the sacking of non-indigenes from the state’s civil service.”

The statement noted that those who spoke against the action did not do so out of malice or hatred but out of the concern that such action would give others the wrong impression about the unity of Ndi Igbo and their ability to love themselves.

“It is a good thing that the governor of Abia state has realised the implications of that action, both in the short run and in the long run and acted in the spirit of conviviality by recalling them.”
The statement explained that the comment of Okorocha then on the incident was never meant to discredit the Abia governor.

It said that it was also important to appeal to the Abia governor to complete the good work he began by reinstating the remaining ones.

“He has acted well by reinstating 2,700 out of a total of 4000 but his action will be speaking louder to the glory of God if he reinstates all the remaining ones.

“By so doing, he has taken a prominent position as a considerate governor, who also listens and accepts superior arguments.”

Rochas Okorocha described as a very insensitive Governor.

Abia state government has accused Governor Rochas Okorocha of being insensitive to the plight of his citizens especially Imo workers disengaged from Abia state civil service.
Reacting to a statement credited to Governor Okorocha on May Day in which he was said to be apologizing on behalf of Imo workers sacked by Abia state government and yet to be re-engaged, the Chief press secretary to Abia state Governor, Mr. Charles Ajunwa said the Abia state Government has so far re-engaged a total number of 2,133 disengaged workers back into its civil service majority of whom are from Imo state.
Addressing newsmen on the matter at the Government house, Umuahia, the Chief press secretary said the statement by Governor Okorocha is unfair on Governor Orji and Abia state government, adding that it was wrong for the Imo state Governor to use the occasion of May Day to castigate his Abia state counterpart.
According to him, such a statement from Governor Okorocha is devilish and satanic, pointing out that the Imo Governor,s apology to workers is senseless and unfair.
He said the Abia state government does not delight in telling lies to the public or playing to the gallery, maintaining that the Abia state government has a human face while the state Governor has shown love and compassion to his citizens.
The Chief press Secretary explained that although Abia indigenes were the first to be disengaged by neighbouring states, the Abia state government was able to quickly reabsorb them without fuss and added that Governor Orji wrote to his colleagues in the South East before the decision to disengage non Abia workers in her employ wherein he explained the reason for his action.
Mr. Ajunwa stated that with an increase in its Internally Generated Revenue profile, the Abia state government rescinded its earlier decision and is striving to reabsorb all those affected by that decision.
He challenged Governor Okorocha to be man enough to reabsorb his subjects yet to be re-engaged by the Abia state government just like Governor Orji did to Abia indigenes when they were sacked rather than playing to the gallery.
END9/5/14