After months of conflict between him and the State House of Assembly over his planned appointment of non-indigenes as commissioners, Gov Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, Monday, submitted 13 new names to the State House of Assembly as commissioners-nominee for clearance.
This brings to 15 the number of commissioners appointed by Governor Okorocha so far.
He had earlier last month appointed his Chief of Staff, Sir Jude Ejiogu and Barr Chukwma Machukwu Umeh as commissioners for Special Duties, and Justice and Attorney General respectively.
The nominees include five newcomers who are, the Dean, Faculty of Law in Imo State University, Prof. Uba Nnabue from Njaba LGA; Mr. Charles Osondu from Abor Mbaise; Mrs. Uche Ejiogu from Ihitte Uboma; Mrs. Love Mma Onyechere from Okigwe and the IMSU Librarian, Prof Okey Okoro from Ohaji/Egbema.
The rest are the immediate past commissioners and they include the governor’s son-inlaw and immediate past Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Chief Uche Nwosu from Nkwerre; Deacon Chike Okafor, former commissioner for Finance from Obowo; Ichie Best Uche Mbanaso (formerly Ministry of Commerce and Industry) and Chief Gerry Okolie (formerly of Local Government) both from Orlu.
Others are the former commissioner for Youths and Sports, Kenneth Emelu from Ideato South; Mr. Nick Oparandudu from Owerri North, Dr. Ifeanyi Nwachukwu from Ezinihitte Mbaise, and Lady Ugochi Nnanna Okoro from Owerri West who are former commissioners for Works, Public Utilities and Community Government & chieftaincy affairs respectively.
It would be recalled that after sacking members of his cabinet last June, Governor Okorocha vowed to appoint non-indigenes, especially from Northern and Western part of the country, as some of his new commissioners and aides.
It was learnt that he made moves to fulfill his promise, but the members of the state house of assembly were reported to have rejected the previous list.
Speaker of the House, Chief Benjamin Uwajumogu was specifically said to have rejected the governor’s offer, leading to protracted delay.
Rochas the unstable character, having lost his ambition of Presidency 2015, has resorted to looking for those he will use their head to fight his second term. No matter who you appoint, you have lost your relevance to the people of the state. You cannot fool Ndi Imo twice, gather your loots and follow your aboki brothers to and go continue your Boko Haram struggle. Rochas, we know you were sponsored the Islamic extremist to come and capture Imo state being the heartland of the Ibos, for the purpose of turning Ndi Imo to Islam by force. If this is not so, how come since you occupied the Douglas House, Owerri and its environ are almost exploding with these your so called Boko Haram brothers. I pity those that accepting your appointment because, they are yet to know what a terrible man you are.