Horn gathered that but for a show of restraint on the part of Owerri, the Imo state capital yesterday almost erupted in mayhem as the convoy of former president Olusegun Obasanjo and Governor Ikedi Ohakim were stoned at Okigwe Road roundabout by thugs from the camp of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) Imo state guber candidate, Chief Rochas Okorocha.
Weekend Nigeran Horn gathered that but for a show of restraint on the part of Ohakim who ordered his security officers not to take action, hell would have been let loose in the same manner it witnessed in last week’s clash between supporters of Action Congress Of Nigeria (ACN) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in AkwaIbom state where over 800 brand new cars were burnt after which were burnt after which the ACN guber candidate was arrested and charged with treason.
When weekend Nigerian Horn sought clarification from Imo state commissioner for Information and strategy, Hon. Elvis Agukwe, on the cause of the impasse, he declared that Chief Rochas Okorocha is not contesting for governorship of Imo state but is only out to cause anarchy in the state.
Reacting to Okorocha’s statements in a Radio Nigeria programme aired yesterday morning in which Okorocha said that the crises in Egypt is a child’s play compared to what will happen in Imo State over the elections in the state,Agukwe expressed dismay that “Okorocha is bent on causing problems in the state and has imported his thugs from Jos, Plateau state to cause mayhem similar to the recent Jos crises.
The commissioner described as infounded the allegation that Governor Ohakim suddenly shifted the date of the grand finale of his guber campaign rally just to make nonsense of Okorocha’s plan to hold rally at Dan Anyiam stadium to yesterday just to make nonsense of Okorocha’s plan to hold his rally at grasshopper’s stadium.
Said he, “The governor’s activities are published in a manifest which outlines the activities at least once a month in advance and if you see that the allegation holds no water”.
He has also described as nonsensical Okorocha’s statement that he (Okorocha)after discovering that he could not gain access to Grass Hoppers pitch at the Dan Anyiam stadium stadium, paid N100,000 (one Hundred Thousand Naira) to Owerri Munipal Council for the use of Township School to which he was also denied access.
He queried “How Can you pay money to youths for access to township school? Are the youths the authourities in charge of the school?”
One of the highlights of the political drama was when Okorocha ordered his thugs to force themselves into the Township school field despite the fact that about 50 armed police officers were stationed there.
It was also gathered that the thugs after forcing their way into the township school and running round the fiels, headed to Dan Anyiam stadium but were turned back by police officers.
Okorocha who was apparently piqued that he was denied access to Grasshoppers Pitch, old stadium which was said to have been booked and township school, finally decided to hold his campaign rally infront of Rochas Foundation Plaza near Okigwe Round about thereby blocking Okigwe and Wetheral Roads; a situation that caused traffic jam in the city for more than five hours.
Weekend Nigerian Horn also Gathered that after the Ohakim escorted former president Olusegun Obasanjo to the airport, on their way back, intelligence report revealed that the Rochas group laid ambush for the convoy at Okigwe Road roundabout, a development that caused the convoy to divert to “Akanchawa” Road in new Owerri and pass through the Assumpta road to enter Government House from the back gate through Orlu Road for peace to reign.
Said Mr. Henry Ekpe, Chief Press Secretary to Ohakim in a chat withWeekend Nigerian Horn last Night,” I commend the governor’s demonstration of statesmanship and patriotism who said he did not want another Akwa Ibom experience in Imo State”.
Efforts to reach Mrs Chioma Ogoke, Director of Publicity and Media of Okorocha’s campaign organization for comments proved abortive at the time of this report as she did not take the call.