Okorocha accused of giving church N50m dud cheque

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA, OWERRI.

Governor Rochas Okorocha has again come under fire as a fiery Catholic cleric, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, has accused him of giving a N50 million dud cheque to the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace, Dr. Anthony J.V. Obinna.

Mbaka told the congregation that Okorocha allegedly gave the dud cheque when the Archbishop wanted to re-roof Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri, that was leaking a the time.

“A lot of funny things are happening in Imo State now. Workers are sacked with impunity. Governor Okorocha gave the Archbishop a N50 million cheque that bounced and this is supposed to be a Catholic”, Rev. Fr. Mbaka said.

He recalled with grief how Catholics and all Christians rose with anger when a story rented the air that Chief Ikedi Ohakim flogged a Catholic priest.

“I recall vividly that not long after I released a song to that effect, I invited the priest at the centre of the alleged beating, Rev. Fr. Eustace Okorie, and sought to know he truth from him. He denied that Ohakim flogged him and since this is the true position, I must also tell the world that Ohakim never dehumanized a priest”, Mbaka said.

Reacting to the allegation, Governor Okorocha’s media aide, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo said Imo State Government never gave Archbishop Obinna N50 million dud cheque.
“Let us simply aver and solemnly too, that the claim is not only false, but spurious and curious in many respects. There is no iota of truth in the wild allegation. You can call it an unholy blackmail, taking into account the person behind it”, Onwuemeodo said.

He challenged Rev. Fr. Mbaka to go beyond his claim and provide the proofs since cheques are not invisible objects, adding that “since the false claim on the N50m dud cheque didn’t come from the Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese or from any of the priests in the Archdiocese, it becomes reasonable for us to make do with our candid denial”.

Onwuemeodo further stated that with this latest blackmail, Nigerians of goodwill would now begin to appreciate the orchestrated and politically motivated lies being unleashed against Governor Rochas Okorocha’s government by those vividly desperate to take over power from him in 2015.

“Fr. Mbaka is not a priest in Imo State, talk more being a clergy in the Owerri Archdiocese of the Catholic Church where highly respected and a very decent priest, Archbishop Obinna superintends. You then ask yourself what is the interest of Rev. Fr. Mbaka”, Onwuemeodo said.

VANGUARD

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA, OWERRI.
Governor Rochas Okorocha has again come under fire as a fiery Catholic cleric, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, has accused him of giving a N50 million dud cheque to the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace, Dr. Anthony J.V. Obinna.
Mbaka told the congregation that Okorocha allegedly gave the dud cheque when the Archbishop wanted to re-roof Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri, that was leaking a the time.
“A lot of funny things are happening in Imo State now. Workers are sacked with impunity. Governor Okorocha gave the Archbishop a N50 million cheque that bounced and this is supposed to be a Catholic”, Rev. Fr. Mbaka said.
He recalled with grief how Catholics and all Christians rose with anger when a story rented the air that Chief Ikedi Ohakim flogged a Catholic priest.
“I recall vividly that not long after I released a song to that effect, I invited the priest at the centre of the alleged beating, Rev. Fr. Eustace Okorie, and sought to know he truth from him. He denied that Ohakim flogged him and since this is the true position, I must also tell the world that Ohakim never dehumanized a priest”, Mbaka said.
Reacting to the allegation, Governor Okorocha’s media aide, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo said Imo State Government never gave Archbishop Obinna N50 million dud cheque.
“Let us simply aver and solemnly too, that the claim is not only false, but spurious and curious in many respects. There is no iota of truth in the wild allegation. You can call it an unholy blackmail, taking into account the person behind it”, Onwuemeodo said.
He challenged Rev. Fr. Mbaka to go beyond his claim and provide the proofs since cheques are not invisible objects, adding that “since the false claim on the N50m dud cheque didn’t come from the Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese or from any of the priests in the Archdiocese, it becomes reasonable for us to make do with our candid denial”.
Onwuemeodo further stated that with this latest blackmail, Nigerians of goodwill would now begin to appreciate the orchestrated and politically motivated lies being unleashed against Governor Rochas Okorocha’s government by those vividly desperate to take over power from him in 2015.
“Fr. Mbaka is not a priest in Imo State, talk more being a clergy in the Owerri Archdiocese of the Catholic Church where highly respected and a very decent priest, Archbishop Obinna superintends. You then ask yourself what is the interest of Rev. Fr. Mbaka”, Onwuemeodo said.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/08/okorocha-accused-giving-church-n50m-dud-cheque/#sthash.egF1DI55.dpuf

In The Crux Of The Charlie Boy Vs. Gov Okorocha spectacle

The Charlie Boy/Governor Okorocha  face-off in  Oguta refers  to  what  transpired  at Sacred  Heart Catholic Church, Oguta during  the  funeral  Mass Service in  honour  of  the  Late Supreme  Court  Judge,Chukwudifu Oputa on Friday, 27TH June,2014.In  the abnormal  incident,Charlie  Boy, the  son  of  the Late Jurist, Justice  Chukwudi  Oputa, humiliated  Governor  Okorocha  of Imo  State when  he  walked  up  to  Governor Okorocha and  angrily  snatched  a  microphone  which  was  handed  over  to  him  to  make  a  speech to  the  congregation who  graced  the  occasion. On  a  general  note,the  bizzarre  episode should  be  seen  as a confrontation  between  two  people  who  have  no  regard  for  rule  of  law. Governor  Okorocha  has   always  told  Ndimo  that: “I don’t  believe  in  rule  of  law  and  due  process; it  slows  me  down”,  while the entertainment  supremo,  Charlie  Boy  Oputa, is also  not  interested  in the   rule  of  law   and  due  process. Most  people  describe  him  as  a  deviant and  an  iconoclast on  the  grounds  of  his  deviant  social  behaviour. In  fact, in Imo  State, we  are  used  to  such  power  shows  between Governor  Okorocha  and  others. One  of such  instances is the power show  between  Governor  Okorocha  and  Hon  Eugene  Dibiagwu which  took  place  on Saturday, June 15, 2013 at AWA community Oguta-yes, in  this  very controversial  Oguta  Local  Government Area. On  that  face  off,  the  convoy  of  Governor  Okorocha ran into  that  of  Hon Eugene  Dibiagwu, the  candidate  of  the  PDP in  the then  oncoming  State  Assembly  election  into  Imo  State  House  of  Assembly for  Oguta  LGA. .Both  Hon  Dibiagwu  and  Governor  Okorocha  were  running  their  campaigns for  the rerun  election  when  both  groups  ran  into  each  other  in Awa, Oguta. While  the  security  personnel  attached  to  Governor  Okorocha  were  poised  to  use  firepower and  paraphernalia  of  office  to  subdue  the  HON Eugene Dibiagwu  boys,  the  Oguta  boys  became  so  daring  and  poised  to  confront  Okorocha’s  security aides  in spite  of  their  automatic  rifles and  sundry   facilities which  they  brandished. There  is  a  need  to  emphasize  at  this  point  that  in  the  27 Local  Government  Areas  of  Imo  State,  the  youths  in  the  axis of Oguta/Ohaji/Egbeme  LGAs  are  the  most  daring, combative  and  militant. In  the  case  of  Awa,  any politician  who  thinks  he  can  subdue  then  through  intimidation and  harassment  does  so  at  his  own  peril. Governor  Okorocha  was  full  aware  of  the  risk  of  using  force  on  Dibiagwu  Boys,  hence  he  ordered  his  boys  to  back down   and  let  go.
But HON. Eugene  Dibiagwu  boys  wanted  the   show  to  go  full  circle  as  it  would  afford  them  an  opportunity  to  take  their  pound  of  flesh on  the  Governor  who  most  of  them  have  some  grouse  with. Even now, Oguta  Local  Government  Area(LGA) in Imo  State  appears  to  be  the  only  LGA in Nigeria  that  does  not  have  any legislator  in  the  State  House  of  Assembly. The  people  of  Oguta  feel  humiliated  about  this  situation  and  they  use  every  available  space  to  vent  their   sadness over  this barefaced  dichotomy on  the  Oguta  clan.

Again  on  December 26th,2012 there  was  another  convoy face  off  which  pitted  the  convoy  of  Governor  Okorocha with  that  of  Senator  Chris  Anyanwu,  the  senator  representing  Owerri  zone  in  the  Senate. Both  politicians won  their  elections  under  the  platform  of  All Progressives  Grand  Alliance(APGA),  but  today  they have   abandoned  the  APGA in  preference to  other  parties. The  Okorocha/Chris  Anyanwu  power  show  took  place  on Azaraegbelu section  of  the  very  busy Owerri/Unuahia Expressway. Governor  Okorocha  caused  panic  when  he  described  that  convoy  incident  as  an assassination  attempt on  him. Reports  on  that  episode   confirmed  that  the  senator’s  driver  was    severely  manhandled   by  Governor  Okorocha’s  security   personnel. It  is  pertinent  to  note  that  on  the previous  evening  ,Senator  Chris  Anyanwu  had  paid  a  courtesy  visit  on  Governor  Okorocha  in  the  Government  House  in  deference  to  his  status  as  State  Governor. Yet,  Governor  Okorocha  accused  her  of  plotting  to  assassinate  him  when  the  convoy  incident  occurred. Senator  Anyanwu  is  a  ranking  senator  who  is known  for her cool  and    calm disposition. In fact, most  people  see her  as  a  recluse and  an  introvert. There  is  nothing  in  her  person  that  suggests  she  can  hurt  a  fly, more  so  , she  is  a  female  politician  and  Mass Communications guru .In  fact,  Senator (MRS) Anyanwu  is  as  peaceful  as  ribbon.
On  another  occasion, April 19th,2013,  Governor  Okorocha   had  another  convoy  clash  with  one Chief Osita  Nnawuihe whose  car  allegedly  rammed  into the  governor’s car on  the  Owerri  Orlu Express way. Mr  Osita  Nnawuihe  was   cruising  a  Mercedez  Benz  saloon car when  the  incident  happened. Reports  said  that  Governor  Okorocha  sustained  a  head  injury  for  which  he  was  swiftly  flown  abroad for  medical  attention. He  spent  several  weeks  in  America  or  London(almost  one  month)  before  he  returned  to  Imo  State. Immediately he  returned,  he  organized  a   ceremony and  ordered  the  immediate  release  of   Chief  Nnawuihe and  even  rewarded  him  with  a  cash gift  of  N200000 for  his  upkeep and  repair  of  his  car.According  to  reports  from  impeccable  sources, he  was  even  appointed  to  the  position  of  the Governor’s  Senior  Special  Assistant  (SSA)  on Accident. What  a funny  portfolio! But  one  curious  fact  about  this  episode  is  that  I  do  not  know  anybody   who  has  seen  the  Mercedez  Benz  car  which  was  alleged  to  have  rammed  into  Okorocha’s  personal   car  in  the  governor’s  convoy. I  have  not  been  able  to  see  the  wreckage  of  this  Mercedes car and   I  doubt if  any newspaper  has  ever  placed  its  photo  in  the   press. Even  now,  the  office  of  the  SSA Accident  which  was  given  to  Chief  Nnawuihe  appears  to  have  become  moribund .

Further more,  there  are  other  flashpoints  in  regard  to  Governor  Okorocha’s  relationship  with  other  political  bigwigs  in the  country .Some  of  them  include   a  face – off  between  the  protocol  aides  of  Governor  Okorocha  and  those  of  former  Anambra  State  Governor ,MR Peter  Obi, on   a  dispute  about  who  should  sit  on  a  reserved   sofa  in  a  public  function  in  Enugu. The  organizers  of  the  event  said  that  they  did  not  know  that  Governor  Okorocha  would  be  in  the  event, hence  no  seat  was  reserved  for  him  ahead  of  his  arrival. Before  the  problem  was  resolved,  the  aides  of  both  politicians  had  raised  eyebrows  and  even  thrown  some  punches in  order  to secure  the  controversial  sofa  for  their  principals.

Again,  there  was another  power  show  between  Okorocha  and  Governor  T.A. Orji  of  Abia  State when   Imo  State  Government  suddenly  shut  down  the  motor  part  of  Abia  State  Transport  Service  on  Wetheral  Road,  Owerri,  even  though  the  facility  of  Peace  Mass  Transit  Transport  Company  on  the  same  location  was  allowed  to  operate. In  the  same  vein, there  was  any  conflict  with  the  Abia  State  Government  when  a  group  labelled  “Rescue  Missionaries  “ organized a  reception to  honour  Governor  Okorocha  at  the Abia  State  Polytechnic  in  Aba even  though  Governor  T.A.  Orji was  not  given  the  benefit of knowing  that  such  an  event  was  to  take  place  in  his  State.This  triggered  off  another  uproar  between  the  two  states.Governor  T.A. Orji  cancelled  the  event  at  the  last  minute  in  order  to  avert  a  breakdown  of  law  and  order, more so,  since  adequate  security  arrangement  was  not  in  place and  the  authorities  of  Abia State  Polytechnic  said  they  did  not  grant  any  authorization for  the  use  of  the  Polytechnic  to  organize  an  event  for  any  State  governor. Again,  Governor  Okorocha  caused  a  stir  when  in  a chat  with the  press ,he  said  that  Governor  Peter  Obi  and  Ndi  Anambra  are  the  people  causing  all  the  political  crises  in  Igbo  land. Such  an  inflammatory comment is  not  supposed  to  emanate  from  a  State  Governor. There  is  a  consensus in Igbo  Land  that  Governor  Peter  Obi was  a highly  performing  governor  who  quietly  transformed  Anambra  State,  even  without  stepping  on  anybody’s   rights and  sensibilities. Most Igbo  people  place MR Peter  Obi  on  the  same  pedestal  with  the  like  of DR. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Michael  Okpara and  Akanu Ibiam. Again,  most  people  do  not  know what Ndi  Anambra  did  to cause  the  political  crises  in Igbo  land.

Finally  in  the  case  of  the  Oguta  episode, it  is  pertinent  to  state  that  Governor  Okorocha  has  a  penchant  of using  various  public  fora  to  launch  inflammatory  and  toxic  attacks on  innocent  politicians  especially  the  like  of President Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan,   HON. Emeka  Ihedioha,   Senator Ararume, , Chief  Ohakim, Chief  Achike  Udenwa, MR. Peter Obi, Governor  T.A. Orji ,Sir Victor Umeh, Chief Martin Agbaso and  several  others. I  am  sure  that  Charlie  Boy  would  not  want  his  father’s  final  rites  of  passage  to  be  hijacked  by  Governor  Okorocha  to  launch  attacks  on  his real  or  perceived    political  opponents including  the  President  and  Commander  -in –Chief, DR. Godluck Ebele  Jonathan  who  was ably    represented  on  that  event. This  is  in  tandem  with  the  exalted  status  of  his  father  who  was  a  revered  Jurist, an  incorruptible  judge who  did  not  identify  with  any  political  party  throughout  his  illustrious   existence  on Planet  Earth. Rather  than  blaming  Charlie  Boy on the  so-called  humiliation  of  Governor  Okorocha,  we  should  be  interested  to  know  why  Governor  Okorocha’s  security  personnel  abandoned   the  Governor  at  a  time  he  was  confronted  by  the pugnacious  looking   Charlie  Boy Oputa. A  more  incisive   analysis  of  the  Oguta  episode  will  be published  on  this  website soon. But  even  before then, kindly Goggle and read  my  viewpoint  entitled  “Imo  Governors  not  United-Okorocha: How  feasible  is  Igbo Presidency  in 2015”? which  was  published  on  this  website  a  short while  ago. Till  then.

BY JOHN MGBE

Chief Larry Essien blasts the former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu

Former Chairman of the PPA, Chief Larry Essien has again stated that the ambition of former Governor of Abia Orji Uzor kalu to become a senator in 2015 is a big joke

Reacting to the publication Essien maintained that he stands by his earlier statement as he insisted that kalu remains a political leper and fraud symbolized

Orji Uzor Kalu

Gov Okorocha Reacts To Charly Boy's Humiliation

The Imo State Government has reacted to the unruly embarrassment caused Gov Rochas Okorocha by Charly Boy during the funeral mass of the late legal icon.

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor (Media), Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, said,
“it is highly regrettable that the son of the late justice, Mr Charles Emeka Oputa, aka, Charly Boy, threw caution to the wind and turned the church service into a political theatre that saw him acting or playing out the script he drafted in Abuja with some Imo politicians who have remained cowed by the overwhelming popularity of Governor Rochas Okorocha.

“The Imo State governor had worked together with Mr Charly Boy both when the late justice was sick, until the time he died and the preparation for the burial which also encouraged the state governor to make substantial financial input and also organised a special day of tribute for the late justice at the expense of the state government with Charly Boy also present with other members of the family.

“This is why the sudden change of character of Charly Boy at the church service, in which case, he insisted that the governor would not talk as protocol demanded could not be understood, except that he was acting out the script handed over to him by some of the gubernatorial aspirants from the state who might have been rattled by the thunderous ovation that greeted the governor by the crowd when he was first introduced.

According to Onwuemodo, “Protocol had demanded that the host governor must talk before any other speakers. But Senator Pius Anyim representing the President was first called to talk. Ideally, as a representative of the President, there was no way Senator Anyim would not have talked at the event. But protocol would have seen the governor talking first to welcome the invitees to the service as the host governor.

“Perhaps afraid of the popularity of Governor Okorocha among the Imo populace that has always made them to hail him where ever and whenever he talks, the few politicians from the state in Abuja who are desperate to capture power in the state in 2015, saw a willing tool in charly Boy for them to ensure that the governor would not talk at the event.”

“We condemn that ugly incident. And also wish to advise politicians from the state to stop heating the polity over power since God is the giver of power. In 2015, God will decide who will govern Imo State and when God decides that, there is nothing anybody can do about it.

And for Charly Boy, we ask God to bless him.”

2015: Okorocha gives Imo people condition for re-election

Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, yesterday, took Imo people by surprise when he stated that if the people want him to stand for re-election next year, they must be ready to fund the proj­ect through free will do­nations.

Addressing hundreds of Imo citizens and par­ty loyalists, who had thronged the Internation­al Convention Centre, venue of his address on the achievements of his administration in three years, Okorocha said: “If you want me to contest for governorship elec­tion, one million of you must endorse me and contribute N100 each and those who want me to contest for president, two million must en­dorse me and pay N100 each as your free will donation for my politi­cal cause.”

SUN NEWS

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