Responding to Governor Emeka Ihedioha’s allegations of misappropriation and diversion of N6 billion meant for the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC) during his tenure, former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha fired back. He stated that he will only disclose what he did with the funds during his 8-year tenure if the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state publishes its own allocation records for the same commission after previously governing the state for 12 years.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser (Media) Sam Onwuemeodo, the Senator representing Imo West Senatorial district insisted that the PDP government did not contribute to the development of the oil-producing areas of Ohaji, Egbema, and Oguta. He also alleged that Governor Ihedioha’s 32 petitions to EFCC and 15 Petitions to ICPC were just a smokescreen, as he claimed that his administration only exists on the internet.
The statement read:
“Re-Okorocha diverted N6bn ISOPADEC funds
“The media reports with the referenced caption had attracted our attention and in response, we State as follows:
“Nigerians, especially Imo people, should note that between May 29, 2019 when Chief Emeka Ihedioha was inaugurated as governor and today, he has not done any other thing in Imo than fighting his predecessor, Senator Rochas Okorocha and the family.
“And part of the unwarranted wars against Okorocha was the so-called ISOPADEC report which claimed that the former governor diverted N6 billion of the Commission, and the Panel never gave details of how it arrived at that.
“Again, not minding that Ihedioha’s government had written 32 petitions to EFCC and 15 Petitions to ICPC against Okorocha and the family, the questionable Panel on ISOPADEC was just a smokescreen because a serious Panel would have invited the former governor or any of the former Chairmen or Managing Directors of the Commission under Okorocha for questioning or fact-finding.
“But the Panel never did that because it was only packaged for blackmail.
“For 12 years, PDP governed Imo and ran ISOPADEC aground. The PDP government did nothing for the oil producing areas of Ohaji, Egbema and Oguta.”
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