PDP hints that it may probe Rochas Okorocha after Ihedioha assumes office on May 29

GOVERNOR Rochas Okorocha faces the prospect of being probed by the incoming government of Imo State after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said that he will have to account for how he managed the state's finances over the last eight years.

 

Following the March 9 gubernatorial elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec) declared former deputy speaker of the Federal House of Representatives Hon Emeka Ihedioha of the PDP the governor-elect. He secured 273,404 votes to defeat Uche Nwosu of the Action Alliance, who is Governor Okorocha's son-in-law, who only managed to muster 190,364 votes.

 

On May 29, Hon Ihedioha will be sworn-in as the new governor and the PDFP has hinted that once this happens there will be no hiding place for outgoing Governor Okorocha. Damian Opara, the publicity secretary of the Imo State chapter of the PDP said that Governor Okorocha must account for how he managed the commonwealth of the state over the last eight years.

 

He added: “We are not surprised that the governor, in his usual smart-by-half attitude, deliberately avoided the serious issues raised by our party, to rather throw tantrums and engage in name calling. For emphasis, we insist that, within the last four days, governor Okorocha has made huge cash withdrawals from banks to the tune of N17bn ($47m).

 

“We challenge him to publish the financial status, including a comprehensive statement of account of Imo State to buttress his defence, as that is the only evidence our party and the good people of Imo State will accept as the truth. Now that Governor Okorocha has shamelessly decided to make a mockery of his drowning self by questioning the capacity, preparedness and astuteness of Emeka Ihedioha, governor-elect of Imo State, we will not in any manner aid his desperate attempt to divert attention from his ongoing last minute looting spree.”

 

According to the PDP, between March 12 and 14, Governor Okorocha withdrew the sum of N17bn from Imo State's accounts held in Access Bank, Zenith Bank, Unity Bank and Skye Bank. Governor Okorocha is also accused of engaging in a mass employment programme involving the back-dating of employment with a view to creating problems for the incoming government.

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