Rochas Explains Why PDP Is Plotting July 3 One-Million-Man March Against Him

The Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has claimed that the planned one-million-man march against his government on July 3 was because he “does not share money,” for people in the state.

Okorocha’s claim was contained in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo and issued to newsmen in Owerri, the state capital, on Wednesday.

The governor accused the former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Kelechi Nwagwu of being behind the alleged march.

The statement reads, “This is to bring to the knowledge of the general public and indeed, the good people of the state in particular that, for months now, the former Speaker of the state House of Assembly during the administration of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Kelechi Nwagwu, has inundated the media, especially the social media, with repeated threats of organising PDP members for one million-man match protest on Monday, July 3, 2017, against the Rescue Mission Government in the state, with the People’s Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, as the superintendent.

“The former Speaker, who belongs to the Alhaji Makarfi faction of the PDP, has also followed the threat with avalanche of infantile blackmail and infernal propaganda, mostly in the social media where it appears there is no control over marketing of falsehood.

“Again, in all these, the government has chosen to remain calm at least to see whether Chief Nwagwu could tell the world his reasons for the planned protest march.

“But he was not forthcoming, making the government to have no other option than to take home or believe the general contention that the anger of the former Speaker and his co-travellers is that, the era of “share the money” and the era of gala nights” on daily basis have all become jettisoned under Governor Rochas Okorocha and, indeed, for good.

“It is also on record that the PDP government in the state for 12 years did nothing for the state and her people, and left no legacy except the unfortunate legacy of flogging indigenes of the state at random, including a Rev. Father and a human rights activist.”

By Seun Opejobi

Quit Notice: Rochas Tells Igbos To Remain Where They Are

The Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha has asked Igbos residing outside the South-East to stay wherever they are and do their businesses legitimately.

He also urged all Northerners in the South-East to remain in the region and do their businesses without fear of any attacks.

Okorocha gave the charge at the Government House in Owerri, the Imo State capital, while meeting with the Hausa and Muslim community.

According to him, Nigerians irrespective of ethnicity must do everything possible to protect the unity and integrity of the nation.

He stated that every Nigerian must respect each other’s religion and ethnicity no matter what and citizens should learn to love one another because according to him, Nigeria is for everybody and for no one.

The governor who joined the Muslims during their break of fast, said that was the best way to dramatize the unity of the nation.

He said: “I believe everyone must respect each other’s religion no matter what and we should learn to love one another.

“Nigeria is ours and ours alone and we must protect the unity and integrity of the nation, there’s no point asking people to go back to their home, which home?

“Nigeria is our home, therefore I have reassured the Muslims here that they will enjoy peaceful stay in this state and let none of them think about going back home because this is home, and that’s how it should be nationwide.

“So I ask Igbos to stay wherever they are and do their business legitimately and respect the law of the land. The problem we have in Nigeria is lack of interaction – We don’t interact enough, allow people to mix up”, the Governor stressed.

By Chijioke Jannah

Why Ndigbo Is Not Ready For Another Civil War – Rochas Okorocha

Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has advised Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to desist from agitating for secession, saying the Igbos were not ready for another civil war.

Okorocha gave the advice at a news briefing at the Government House in Owerri on Tuesday.

He also urged the Movement for Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and other Nigerians in diaspora, drumming support for the actualisation of Biafra, to stop.

Okorocha called on Igbo youths to calm down and redirect their agitation toward the actualisation of economic advancement of Igbos rather than asking for a new sovereign nation.

On the recent sit-at-home ordered by IPOB and MASSOB, he said the exercise succeeded because the people, especially traders wanted to avoid trouble.

He described the statement by the Arewa youths directing Igbos to leave the North as “nonsensical and inciting’’.

The governor said that Igbos were peaceful people, who had come a long way in contributing to the economic development of the country, adding that no other ethnic group had contributed as much.

He called for reorientation of youths to repair the broken political relations between the North and the East and end the existing hatred and division between them.

“We have failed as leaders hence the campaign of hate for one another; we need to take responsibility and end it.

“We need to rise and take steps to end it and get rid of the inherent hatred and division we inherited from the colonial masters,” he said.

Okorocha also said that agitation over the leadership of the country by the different geo-political zones in the country was an ill-wind which had not done something good to the country.

He, therefore, called on all Nigerians to guard against hatred and unite to fix broken relationships.

(Source: NAN)