Inside Nigeria
My Regrets As Imo State Governor –Okorocha Laments
Embattled former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, has lamented that being the governor for eight years impoverished him as he stoutly denied allegations that he acquired properties with government funds.
“I challenge anybody to prove that I acquired any property with any government fund,” Okorocha said on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics “I think people have forgotten that I was Rochas before becoming the governor of Imo State; I think they have forgotten completely.
“If anything, becoming a governor made me even poorer than what I was in the past. I don’t know whether I acquired any property here in Abuja, there is none.”
The Imo West senatorial district representative in the National Assembly, believes those making the allegation are referring to a hotel that belongs to his wife and used to fund their foundation.
According to him, there is no way he would have stolen the government’s money when its monthly allocation is small.
The lawmaker stated that during his two-term as governor, he built the best international cargo airport and police state command in the country, as well as 27 hospitals, a new government house, a new court, and a new prison, among others.
On his encounter with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Okorocha said: “I said to them (EFCC) that I have not come to respond to your call because there is already a matter in court and once a matter is sub judice, you cannot talk about it.
“Imo State government has taken me to court on the same subject matter, and we are at the Federal High Court in Abuja on the same subject matter.
“EFCC is doing their job because if there is no report, they can’t nose into whatever you are doing; EFCC is not witch-hunting, they are acting on a petition being written by somebody.”