- Says Okorocha Gave Me $5,000 In Kosovo
A new twist emerged in the N458 million naira contract sagas against the Imo State Deputy Governor, Sir Jude Agbaso, when his elder brother, Chief Martin Agbaso made scathing revelations on the deal with his family and the Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha before the latter’s election as Imo governor in 2011.
Agbaso said Okorocha agreed to hand over power to him after four years on the saddle, while he (Okorocha) was to produce a deputy in the event Martin Agbaso clinches the governorship seat in 2015.
Agbaso, who spoke to newsmen when entourage of Owerri Zone Political Leadership Forum (OZOPOLF) led by Ikeduru oil magnate, Prince Charles Amadi paid him a solidarity visit, said the deal was brokered by Former APGA National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh.
According to him, Umeh successfully brokered the deal that was mutually agreed by himself and Okorocha.
He stated that he never knew Rochas from Adam, until he approached him to use the APGA platform to actualize his governorship ambition in 2010.
“I met Rochas Okorocha in September 2010 when he came to appeal to me to run for the governorship of Imo State on APGA platform. Then I had a case with Ohakim and INEC in court. Because I had no interest to run for governorship in 2011, I bought the idea”.
Agbaso noted that Rochas wanted to take the APGA structure by forceful means by directing his supporters to invade APGA office.
He revealed that Okorocha promised to award him a multi-billion naira contract to reticulate water in Owerri on the basis that he (Agbaso) had a vast wealth of experience in water management and distribution.
“Despite his promise, he never came forth with the contract. He also told me to co-ordinate the IGR of the state, I borrowed Two billion naira from Diamond Bank to finance the project, only for him (Okorocha) to cancel the entire project. Now, I’m indebted to the bank”.
On the issue of appointing his kith and kin as key members of Okorocha administration, the Ochiudo Owere, denied ever imposing his “people” on Okorocha.
He said “I never imposed anyone on him for appointment. He only sought for my clarification on anyone from my area he wanted to appoint in his cabinet. Is it proper for me to condemn anyone from my area he wanted to appoint into his executive?
Agbaso stressed that things began to fall apart when Okorocha wanted to restructure APGA unilaterally. “I resisted, refused and persuaded him not to do so. Thereafter we went to Kosovo, where he gave me and others who escorted him on the trip a paltry $5,000. That was the only dime Rochas gave me, since then, nothing has been forthcoming” he said.
Agbaso revealed that the current travails of his younger brother, and Deputy Governor of Imo State, Sir Jude Agbaso was stage-managed by Okorocha a long time ago. He said “Owelle had a grand plan to impeach my brother a long time ago. Owelle gave the contractor the contract, brought the contractor, approved the payments and the payment was carried out by the Accountant General. How can JPross, the contractor pay N458 million naira to my brother, who did not give him the contract”.
He said his brother has been singled out for vilification, saying “no one has made efforts to cross check the accounts who withdrew the money and who authorized its withdrawal. I will die for this battle. We will pursue this matter to the end and we shall know who deserves to be impeached. I assure Imolites will see the truth. I helped Owelle realize his dream of becoming governor of Imo state, I’m yet to realize my dream, it will not succeed” he concluded.
In his speech, the Deputy Governor and Martin Agbaso’s younger brother, Jude, said he never collected a dime from any contractor, stating that he stands on the path of truth and justice.
“I have no need to steal; I have never taken bribe before. I am not a politician and I will always thread on the path of truth and justice” he said.
Earlier, leader of OZOPOLF, Prince Charles Amadi said he and his group are in solidarity with the Agbasos over their ordeal.
Source: Imo Trumpeta
