A former governor of Imo State Senator Rochas Okorocha says his successor Governor Hope Uzodinma may not end well as governor of the state following their face-off.
Okorocha was arrested on Sunday after leading supporters and security forces to unlock government seal at Royal Spring Palm Estate which is linked to his wife. The ex-governor was later released.
Addressing his supporters on Monday at Spibat mansion in Owerri, the state capital, Okorocha said that Uzodimma had left governance and “is now pursuing shadows”.
He said, “The way Governor Hope Uzodimma is going, he may not end well as governor. Insecurity is ravaging all. Over ten houses were burnt in Oguta yesterday. He knows what he is doing. He wants everybody to fear him. Instead of him to face governance and pay salaries and secure the state, he is busy chasing shadows of violence.”
The lawmaker called on the Inspector-General of Police Muhammed Adamu to immediately arrest Uzodimma’s aides Chinasa Nwaneri and Eric Uwakwe whom he alleged led thugs to attack him at the estate.
Okorocha said, “I immediately call on the Inspector-General of Police to immediately arrest Chinasa Nwaneri and Eric Uwakwe. They are the aides of Governor Hope Uzodimma. They shot my aides and destroyed all my cars. If the police can’t arrest Chinasa Nwaneri who the bad record is known for, they have no right to arrest any citizen of this country. As a senator, I am going to put a formal petition to that effect.
“Hope Uzodimma wants to rule Imo State by intimidation. He is busy demolishing all my projects without building anyone. Uzodimma has taken a personal attack on me and my family. Uzodimma has reported to the EFCC and ICPC and there are probe against me yet he is bent on fighting me.
“Uzodimma used the police against me yesterday (Sunday). I therefore call on the IGP to probe the actions of Government house, Owerri policemen. Their actions were questionable. Chinasa Nwaneri shot my aide and my son-in-law, Uzor Anwuka.
“Everybody knows that I was not poor before I became governor. Talking about the estate, I was the one who begged my wife to come back home and invest in our state so that our people will have employment.
“More than 200 gunshots were fired at my aides yesterday. Uzodimma must be called to question. The governor was using his position to aid thuggery. Before I went to that estate on Sunday, I called the CP (commissioner of police) and the Director of DSS and they said they were not aware of the sealing of the estate, therefore, I went there to find those who sealed the estate without the approval of the police and the DSS and moreover, there was no court order. Uzodimma should not take my peaceful disposition for granted.”
