Imo leaders list reasons Governor Okorocha must be impeached now

Community leaders from the three senatorial districts of Imo State have advised the state House of Assembly to, forthwith, begin the impeachment process of Governor Rochas Okorocha.

The community leaders accused the governor of turning himself into a tyrant in the way he was managing the affairs of the state.

They said their anger was as a result of the demolition of the ancestral Ekeukwu market initially known as Ogwumabiri market and the killing of a 10-year-old boy, Somtochukwu, from Anambra State during the protest against the demolition.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja yesterday, the leaders from Owerri, Okigwe and Orlu senatorial districts under the umbrella of Concerned Imo Leaders who wore black attires, signifying mourning, claimed that the state had been sliding and that the event of last week’s demolition of the Ekeukwu market and the alleged murder of four persons were the climax of its sliding.

Spokesperson of the group, Chief Sam Obaji, together with the immediate past chairman of Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi; the leader of Owerri socio-cultural organisation, Dozie Owerri, Chief Tony Anyadike, and Okey Ikpe said Governor Okorocha accused the governor of turning himself into an emperor.

According to them, “As political, social and cultural leaders from across Imo State, we address you today with sorrowful hearts at the happenings in our beloved Imo State, especially the destruction of lives and property in Owerri during last Saturday’s unlawful, reckless and unprofitable demolition of the ancient and iconic Eke-ukwu Owerri Main Market.

“At the wake of that demolition, four persons were killed, many more wounded and property worth billions of naira destroyed by armed military personnel on the instruction of the state government.

“Most heartrending is the killing of 10-year-old Somtochukwu Igboanusi of 9, Oguamalam Street who hailed from Anambra State. That child was gunned down as he tried to clear wares from his father’s shop.
“Since Governor Okorocha assumed power in Imo State, he has managed affairs of the state in a manner that suggests he has a hidden agenda against the Owerri Senatorial Zone and the entire people of Imo State.

“His unplanned urban development project has resulted in the complete dilapidation of roads in the state capital, the flooding of major streets in Owerri whenever there is slight rainfall and the complete deterioration of physical and social infrastructure in the entire state.

“That in view of Governor Rocha’s clearly established leadership incompetence and serial blunders on the most elemental duties of governance, he should honourably resign as governor of Imo State.

“That if Governor Okorocha refuses to resign, members of the Imo State House of Assembly should immediately proceed to impeach him from office as governor of Imo State.

“That the government of Imo State should refrain from further violation of the court orders in respect of these demolitions. That the President should institute a judicial commission of inquiry into the circumstances of the use of armed forces personnel in this unlawful operation and ensure anyone who played a role in this unlawful deployment of the military should be prosecuted according to the law.”