IMO: How Uzodimma attacked me with 1,000 thugs – Okorocha

* It’s a lie, we didn’t attack you, Governor replies Okorocha

FORMER Governor of the state, Rocha’s Okorocha has alleged that his successor, Hope Uzodinma, attacked him with “more than 1,000 thugs” yesterday when he visited Royal Palm Estate situated situated along Akachi road in Owerri.

Okorocha, who spoke through his spokesperson, Sam Onwuemeodo, in a statement on Sunday, alleged that the governor’s Special Adviser on Special Duties, Chinasa Nwanari, allegedly led thugs, who stormed the estate and destroyed vehicles in his convoy.

The statement read, “More than 1,000 thugs, armed to the teeth with knives and guns and led by Chinasa Nwaneri, Governor Hope Uzodinma’s Special Adviser on Special Duties today, Sunday, with the backing of armed policemen from Government House, attacked the former governor of the state and Senator representing Imo West Senatorial District, Senator Rochas Okorocha’s convoy.

“They attacked and damaged all the vehicles in his convoy. They also attacked his personal aides. Senator Okorocha was with only his personal aides when the thugs unleashed the attack.

Meanwhile, in a swift reaction to Okorocha’s allegation, the state Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba, dismissed the Senator’s claim as untrue.

Emelumba noted that the former governor’s arrest was in line with the report of a White Paper, which indicated that the Royal Palm Estate in the state was built with taxpayers’ money and not Okorocha wife’s property.

He stressed that the state government would stop at nothing to get the property back from the Okorocha’s family, adding that the ex-governor would be charged to court today.

Emelumba said, “There was a judicial panel of inquiry that looked into land use and related matters set up by the Emeka Ihedioha administration, which we inherited and retained. They came up with a report and government accepted it, and then turned it to a White Paper.

“Part of the White Paper’s report indicates that the Royal Palm Estate was built with taxpayers’ money, but Okorocha claims it is his wife’s own. 

“The facility even violated Owerri masterplan as well. Two days ago, the state government went and sealed the place in accordance with the White Paper. Then today, Okorocha, on his own, led thugs and carried hammer to unseal what government sealed off in line with the dictates of the law.

“He (Okorocha) was there, saying he is daring Governor Uzodinma to come and stop him if he (Uzodinma) has courage. This is lawlessness. So, police went there and caught him in the act and arrested him and some of his aides who arrested him. He (Okorocha) would be taken to court tomorrow.”

On the allegation that Uzodimma attacked the ex-governor with over 1,000 thugs, Emelumba described the claim as lies.

“If 1,000 thugs attacked him, would he be alive now? What then would be the business of the police if 1,000 thugs attacked and took him (Okorocha) away,” Emelumba queried.