OHAKIM'S DEFEAT; New Dawn For Imo

Lagos – The Association of Opposition
Political Parties, under the aegis of Patriotic
Alliance of Nigeria (PAN) in Imo, on Saturday
described the defeat of Gov Ikedi Ohakim as
“ a new dawn” for the state.
In the same vein, the Conference of Nigerian
Political Parties (CNPP) says the emergence
of Chief Rochas Okorocha also signalled “the
end of terror” in the area while Imo Group
for Better Governance scored Ohakim 80 per
cent in terms of performance.
INEC on Saturday declared Okorocha the
APGA candidate, winner in the
supplementary governorship poll in Imo.
The National Coordinator, PAN and National
Chairman, Citizens Popular Party (CPP), Chief
Maxi Okwu said that the result was in line
with the sentiments and desire of the people
of Imo.
“The result is similar to what we had in
Lagos, where there is a wide margin
between what the PDP governorship
candidates scored and what President
Goodluck Jonathan scored.
“What this means is that the people voted
for the candidates of their choice and no one
can discountenance that, ” he said.
Also speaking, the South West Secretary,
CNPP, Mr Austin Nnorom expressed delight
that the “reign of terror has come to an end
in Imo” saying, “CNPP celebrates the end to
terror and intimidation of the opposition in
Imo state ”.
“Today marks the turning point in the lives
of Imo people and a signal to politicians in
future who think that power can be used to
suppress the voice of the people, ’’ Nnorom
added.
According to him, all must come together in
Imo to restore the lost glory of the state
from a place of hunger, massive
unemployment, armed robbery, kidnapping
among others.
“We equally urge the newly elected
governor to open his hands to all shades of
opinion, especially the progressives, who
had been intimidated and driven away, ’’ he
advised.
He, however, urged the people of the state,
especially those in the Diaspora to join hand
with the governor-elect to rebuild the state.
Meanwhile, the Imo Alliance for Good
Governance (IAGG) has described the result
of the governorship polls in the state as
“ ballot revolution’’.
The Chairman of the Group, Chief Isaac
Umeh, said that Okorocha ’s victory marked
the beginning of the compulsory and
obvious change, desired by Imo people.
The Imo Group for Better Governance,
however, scored Ohakim 80 per cent in
terms of performance.
Spokesman for the Group, Dr Anderson
Nwole said that the outgoing government
put up a good fight but the wishes of the
people of the state should be obeyed.
Nwole pointed out that Ohakim’s loss was a
wakeup call to the governor-elect to try and
live up to his campaign promises of free
education up to tertiary institution and one
term tenure. (NAN)