Fear Grips Gov Okorocha Drags Uche Onyeagucha To DSS
By Austin Echefu
There are indications that Governor Rochas Okorocha has petitioned the Department of State Service (DSS) in Imo State to prove sundry allegations made against him.
According to information available to 247ureport0.com, the DSS is inviting the former member of House of Representatives and Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Affairs who also contested the 2007 governorship election under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for question in Thursday, 14 December (today) by 11 am.
Governor Okorocha in his petition to the DSS is asking Hon Onyeagucha to prove his accusation of mindless and illegal destruction/demolition of private property without compensation.
According to our reliable source, the DSS says that the Governor is accusing Onyeagucha of planning to lead a violent protest in Imo State soon, adding that Onyeagucha is organising oppressed groups such as: Displaced Orji Mechanic Village artisans, Displaced Ekeukwu Owerri Market Traders, Displaced Nekede, Mechanic Village Artisans, Displaced New Market Owerri Traders, Landlords of illegally usurped lands/properties in Owerri and environs, Landlords of illegally demolished buildings for road expansion.
Our source added that the “DSS are also tasking Hon Uche Onyeagucha to provide more information on Rochas’ alleged sponsorship of Pres. Kuffo-Addo of Ghana’s election with Imo State money to the tune of $5m and George Weah of Liberia to the tune of $1m”.
It could be recalled that since leaving the Okorocha government, Hon Onyeagucha has been a bone in the neck of the state government, accusing the Governor of several infractions. But it is not clear yet whether Uche Onyeagucha is involved in the protest planned for seven days by a group of youths known as Imo Peoples Action for Democracy (IPAD).
In a press release obtained by this medium, the group said they would occupy the Imo State Government House, Owerri, for a period of 7 days, from the 18th to 24th December, 2017.
The group which is “a coalition of civil society groups, activists, faith based groups, professional bodies, community based organizations, said they are for the defense of democracy in Imo State, adding that they “will continuously engage both the government and the citizens on good governance and democracy”.
They also pledged to “at all times readily mobilize Imolites on lawful steps and actions to resist bad policies and actions of government”.
According to the press release signed by the their Coordinator, Aku Obidinma, Chairman Strategy Committee, Chilos Godsent, and Chairman Media Committee, Chibundu Chibunna, IPAD said they “will be holding a one week peaceful rally tagged OCCUPY IMO from Monday the 18th to Sunday the 24th December 2017 at Okigwe Road opposite Rock View Hotel Owerri”.
IPAD added that the one week peaceful rally “is a response of the people to the increasing height of bad governance in the state which is now attaining its peak”.
They cited “Lack of due process and respect for rule of law”, “Waste of scarce resources on non economically viable and life improving ventures”, “Refusal to fully pay workers salaries, pension arrears and gratuity to pensioners”, “Issuance of dude cheques to pensioners”, “Failure to account for the bailout funds, Paris refunds and other loans collected”, “Use of State fund and apparatus in conducting his personal business”, “Illegal demolitions and displacement of people resulting to loss of means of livelihood by thousands of Imolites even against restraining court orders”, as reasons for their planned action.
Other reasons the group gave include “Nepotism and familiocracy”, “Unending grabbing of land using government powers and conversion of same to personal properties”, “Refusal to conduct local government election and failure to account for the trillions of Naira that has been allocated to that tier of government for over six years”, and “Construction of poor quality infrastructures and increasing multiples of abandoned projects in the State”.
IPAD explained that “The time and venue for this protest has been strategically chosen to ensure that the State government’s usual ploy of diverting attention of Chritmas returnees away from the rot in governance through impressionist cosmetic beautification of the state is thwarted”, adding that “The protest will therefore keep the people conscious about their sufferings in the hands of the government.”
The group also informed that “Some notable Imo born activists that will speak at the rally inclue: Chidi Odinkalu, Sam Amadi, Festus Okoye, Ezenwa Nwangwu, Victoria Ibezim, Chido Onumah, Clement Nwankwo, Okechukwu Nwanguma, Wisdom Durueke, Louis Alozie, Charley Boy Oputa, Etc.
They called “on Imo people irrespective of affiliations to massively sign up to this patriotic rally to ensure we collectively send our message to the government”.
Though some youths loyal to the Governor led by Mr Jeff Nwoha said they would hold a counter rally in support of the Governor and President Buhari, the Governor’s action is a sharp twist on the development.
