Okorocha fumes as Imo Gov-elect Ihedioha issues directives to govt bankers

Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, has said that
governor-elect, Emeka Ihedioha, has no constitutional powers to
issue directives to banks when he has not yet been sworn in as
governor.

Okorocha, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary on
Friday in Owerri, said the governor-elect was “behaving like a
typical member of the Peoples Democratic Party;” and that he is
“only interested in the state treasury.”

Okorocha asked Ihedioha to exercise patience until May 29 before
he starts issuing directives to banks on the state’s financial
dealings.

He said, “Emeka Ihedioha, who was declared winner of the
governorship election in Imo State by Prof. Francis Ezeonu-led INEC
in Owerri, does not have the right or locus yet to harass or give
directives to the financial institutions in the state over their
dealings with the state government.

‘The media report quoting Ihedioha as having given such
directive is unfortunate and a sign of ugly things to come.
Otherwise, Ihedioha should not have been the first of all the
governors-elect in the country to issue such directive.

“We are also not surprised at his issuing the directive because
as a PDP man, his interest, first and foremost, will be the
treasury of the state, and the policy or the slogan of ‘Share the
money’ will soon come back. But he should exercise patience and
wait till he is sworn-in.

“He shouldn’t be in a hurry. There is a government in place and
until May 29, 2019, that government should continue.”

2019 Elections: Nigerian Army Constitutes Panel to
Investigate Misconduct of Personnel

As a way of ensuring that NA troops deployed for election
security duties during the 2019 General Elections conducted
themselves within laid down Rules of Engagement and the Code of
Conduct, the NA has set up a 9-member investigative committee,
headed by Maj Gen TA Gagariga with Brig Gen JM Ali, Brig Gen GO
Adeshina, Brig Gen MA Obari, Col AT Bitiyong, Col A Tanko and Col
WA Bakare as members and Lt Col PAJ Ebuk as Secretary to
investigate all allegations of misconduct against the NA during the
just concluded general elections. The committee is to submit its
report not later than 31st of March, 2019.

The committee, which has already commenced action, was
inaugurated by the Chief of Administration (Army), Major General
KAY Isiyaku on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS ) Lieutenant
General Tukur Yusuf Buratai and admonished to carry out their
duties objectively, fairly and transparently in line with its Terms
of Reference.

The committee’s Terms of Reference centered on thoroughly
investigating the activities, actions and/or inactions of NA
Personnel in all the States that alleged one infraction/wrong doing
or the other.

The Committee is also to collate and thoroughly analyze all
reports to determine the veracity of the allegations including the
alleged assassination attempt on Rivers State Governor and the
circumstances that led to the shooting to death of Lt Kurmi as well
as that leading to serious injuries to an officer and some soldiers
in the State.

The Committee is further mandated to visit all States where
issues have been raised about the conduct of NA during and after
the elections and also interact with Civil Society Organizations,
sister security agencies and State Governors with claims against
the Army.

It would be recalled that the COAS, Lt Gen TY Buratai has on
many fora, consistently (both in words and actions), soundly
indicated that, under his watch, NA personnel must remain
apolitical, respect human rights and abide by the rule of law in
all its official engagements within or outside Nigeria and in or
out of conflict situation. NA troops were deployed for the
elections under Operation SAFE CONDUCT that was set up to provide
support to the NP and other security agencies to ensure hitch free
and successful elections in the country.

The Chairman of the committee, Major General TA Gagariga has
assured the COAS and all Nigerians of the commitee’s commitment,
resolve and determination to objectively and professionally address
the major issues as contained in the Committee’s Terms of
Reference.

SAGIR MUSA
Colonel
Acting Director Army Public Relations