Fallouts Of Governor Okorocha’s Maiden Broadcast To Imo People

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State took Imo people by storm on Monday, June 6, 2011 when he announced in his maiden state-wide broadcast the dissolution of the 27 local government councils in the state, citing administrative ineptitude for his action. Even though many had expected this, given that the August 7, 2010 election that produced the council chairmen and the 305 councillors was a total fraud, it still came as a surprise, sooner than people actually expected.

Also dissolved were the countless development centres created by former governors, Achike Udenwa and Ikedi Ohakim; the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers headed by the self-styled Obi of Obinugwu, His Royal Majesty, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, who also doubles as chairman, South-East Council of Traditional Rulers; and the interim management board of Adapalm appointed by Ikedi Ohakim and headed by Deacon Kieran Onwuzuruike.

Governor Okorocha also put on hold the 10,000 jobs created by the Ohakim administration and set up a committee to review the process and make recommendations.

He also announced the suspension of the Vice-Chancellor of Imo State University (or Evan Enwerem University?), Owerri, Prof O. E. Nwebo and in his place appointed Prof B. E. B. Nwoke, until now Dean of the Faculty of Sciences of the same university. In the dying hours of his ill-fated administration, Ikedi Ohakim had made some sharp moves, one of which was to substantiate the appointment of Prof Nwebo, his Mbano brother, who until then was on acting capacity, as IMSU Vice-Chancellor. Ohakim also backdated the appointment to February 2011.

In their various reactions, Imo people across board have hailed these actions of the new governor, describing them as necessary preconditions for getting Imo right on track again. They also prayed God to protect the governor and guide him aright as he steps on toes of the high and mighty in his efforts to sanitise Imo State.