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Senator Rochas Okorocha’s Unforgiven Sins

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Okorocha Rochas

 

 

Owelle Rochas Okorocha has been an active politician post-democracy in 1999, when he was appointed Commissioner on Federal character commission. When he held sway as Governor of Imo State in 2011-2019, he was always in the news. He was controversial. His bag of controversy never runs dry. He is a frequent newsmaker at that time but seems times have changed now as several forces within Imo state are looking for every avenue to clip his wings politically. With his recent travails, he is currently facing in his home state, the senator representing Imo West senatorial district at the Hallowed Red Chambers, seems to have been paying dearly for his many sins while serving as Governor of Imo State. 

 

 

At the time his tenure was winding up, he backed his in-law Uche Nwosu, who was his then Chief of Staff to contest as his successor but his ambition hit the rock when he lost the All Progressive Congress APC ticket to the incumbent; Governor Hope Uzodinnma. In a bid to realize his dreams, Nwosu defected to the Action Alliance AA and got the ticket but he was later white-washed at the general pools. On the issue of installing his successor by all possible means, the APC suspended Okorocha for anti-party activities. “He never supported the Party’s Flagbearer Hope Uzodinnma to win. He devoted his resources to enable Uche Nwosu to win the election. This was the beginning of his current travails. As a party man, the interest of the party comes first. He should have supported the APC flagbearer. Maybe today, he would not be in the political wilderness in the state he governed twice” A source said.

 

To further show he is fast losing his grip in the scheme of things in the state, he was arrested for invading and unsealing a property that was under lock keys by the Imo government who claimed the land on which the property was built was acquired illegally and remains a government property. After several altercations from the state government and Okorocha, a federal high court sitting in Imo ordered an interim forfeiture of the properties. Few days ago, a group called Imo Compatriot for Good Governance held a political summit in Owerri, Imo State with the topic; “Recovering Looted Imo Assets from Senator Rochas Okorocha, His Relatives and Cronies” . At the well-attended summit, the group urged Governor Uzodinnma to recover all alleged looted asset by Okorocha while he was governor of the state.

 

To further show his many sins is catching up with him, last week, he was in an Air peace flight to Abuja when he had an altercation with former Chairman Imo State Rulers Council; Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, who allegedly claimed Okorocha pulled Imo State backward. Claiming Okorocha was a demi-god when he was governor of Imo State. Sources said; “Eze Cletus never failed to vent his anger for Okorocha as he claimed that he never believed Okorocha will be this gentle and humble after leaving as Governor. Claiming Okorocha committed several atrocities as Governor.”

 

Another source averred that; “Okorocha’s current predicament was self-inflicted. Most things he has done when he was the Alpha and Omega of Imo State is gradually catching up with him. As an ex-Governor, he should have a cordial relationship with his successor. I pray the party leadership can wade into the crisis and help calm both parties for the upliftment of the state. When two elephant fights the grass suffers. Rochas is a great asset to the APC, with his current romance with Governor Wike of Rivers State, he might be thinking of defecting back to his former party.  Settling the issues amicably between Uzodinnma and Senator Rochas will help foster and strengthen the party in Imo State. Forgiveness is quite essential when it comes to issues like this.”

 

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Farmer Governor, Umar Bago’s Impeccable Strides

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For the Executive Farmer Governor of Niger State; His Excellency Umar Bago who happens to be the 6th democratically elected Governor of the Power state, has paid his dues and also played politics at the grassroots level before getting to his current status.

From his actions, he seems to have prepared for the job ahead as he is in the quest of making history as a governor who takes food security and farming to the next level taking advantage of the fertile and vast landmass Niger state currently has also banking on the current challenges affecting agric business in Nigeria as an opportunity for Niger state to create revenue and also empower its local farming population.

The banker-turned-politician started with a stellar career in the banking sector having worked at the United Bank for Africa, First City Monument Bank FCMB and Afribank before heeding the calls of his people to delve into politics in 2007. For him, he had always said his sojourn into the murky waters of politics was humanity is driven and one thing he has come to realize is that he is a fulfilled man serving his people and also bringing succour to their pains and making life better for them. In 2010, He contested and won a seat at the House of Representatives representing Chanchanga Federal constituency in Minna where he was until he was sworn in as Governor of Niger State.

As a member of the Green Chamber; Bago was cosmopolitan, refined, cerebral, and socially savvy and was adjudged a great guy by his colleagues. He was a force in the chambers that spoke with confidence, and authority and knows his onions. As chairman House Committee Maritime Safety Education and Administration; the Political science graduate from the Usman Danfodio University Sokoto ensured he discharged his duties diligently this placed him on the map and made many people notice his strides.

In his bid to make Niger state regain its lost glory as one of the biggest food-producing states in Nigeria; he acquired over 300 tractors and other mechanized farming equipment as he also allocated thousands of hectares of land for farming. President Bola Tinubu was on the ground to flag off the pilot phase which would see the prices of food crash drastically and also bring about food security in the country. Apart from his giant strides in Agriculture, he has committed a whole lot to road and infrastructural development, security, education, commerce, tourism, health, infrastructural development, and women and youth empowerment he also rebuilt and remodelled the moribund Minna Airport with modern equipment and also renamed it Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The farmer Governor is indeed not relenting on his oars as he also signed a partnership with Lagos state to supply the state which already has the ready-made market for farm produce which will ensure that farmers get to sell their goods in real-time and also make profits to be reinvested as he also plans to synergize with more state who are ready to key into the massive food production chain.

 

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Senator Solomon Adeola Yayi’s Workaholic Nature

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If Distinguished Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola FCA, CON were to be like Nostradamus; the man who sees tomorrow; he would have predicted what the future holds but unfortunately he is not one and he has never met a soothsayer who told him what  the future holds but he is a man who believes in the spirit of hardwork, resilience, doggedness and passion. More reason he was able to climb the ladder of success early in his career as a politician and a seasoned accountant.

While growing up, he learnt the art of working hard and smart from his parent but he also ensured he was in tune with his immediate environment which provided him and molded him into the man he has become today. His influence and political capacity in Lagos and Ogun his filial relationship with President Bola Tinubu and also the Senate President Godswil Obot Akpabio is a testimony that he has indeed done well for himself to have commanded such respect.

As an assembly member in Lagos, Member of Representative and Senator representing Lagos West and now Ogun West; Yayi as he is fondly called has remained consistent and is known for being a progressive-minded person. He is also a kind man who puts his people first. Often time many people ask him why a successful accountant like him would be looking for the political terrain a game perceived to be dirty by many, but he often answers them that; His love and passion for service to the people has been a driving force. Today, calling Yayi anywhere in South West Nigeria is synonymous with; success, political power, philanthropy, intelligence, brilliance and hard work.

Last December during the yuletide season when many of his colleagues had retired back to their constituency to spend time with their constituents and family; Yayi was deprived of his luxury of time as he was so enmeshed with the national assignment that is billed to move to Nigeria to the next level. While he resumes in his office at 8 am he closes in the wee hours to ensure a smooth budget passage and meeting the needed budget cycle. He worked tirelessly forgetting his meals most times. Despite his exceptional delivery of the budget process; he still made time to host his people in the New Year at his country home in Ilaro. Last weekend he also empowered several of his constituents with empowerment facilities worth millions of Naira to ensure financial stability despite the biting economy. He is currently one of the most experienced lawmakers in Ogun as he is focused on attracting more development to his region and state at large.

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Senator Ifeanyi Ubah’s Strategic Moves

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Senator Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah made the headlines last week when he announced his defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress APC from the moribund Young Progressives Party YPP where he won the senate seat of Anambra South twice. To some, the news came as a shock but to those in the know it’s a move to better the lots of his people after he had consulted widely with his supporters and constituents.

While many said his move was to help him solve his multibillion naira case with the EFCC those close to him disclosed that the issues had long been resolved even before his defection that the court just officially made the pronouncement which comes as a coincidence after both the NNPC and Capital Oil have reached an agreement to settle out of court.

Those in the know and other political pundits say the move is chess-like which will be a game-changing venture in his political sojourn haven built an occultist followership within his district. Sources say his move will solidify the ruling party APC in Anambra state where Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance APGA is currently ruling. Sources say his move will put him at an edge to oust Governor Soludo from office in the next Guber election to make Abambra an All Progressives Congress State. The move will give Senator Ubah the needed support in other to mobilize votes in the next election and also make him the leader of the party in the state.

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