Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has lambasted his Imo State counterpart, Governor Rochas Okorocha through a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Strategic Communication and Legislative Matters, Prince Oliver Okpala on his behalf: “The attention of the Media Directorate of the Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has been drawn to the gratuitous diatribe by a fellow south-eastern Governor, Rochas Okorocha, of Imo State against his person and the government of Anambra State.”

“It is not in our tradition to respond to such issues but since silence in the face of such grave claims often amounts to guilt, we are therefore duty-bound to make our position known to properly guide the public.”

“If a governor that has constructed countless number of roads and bridges, embarked on several rural electrification programmes, constructed uncountable number of schools and health facilities as well as rid the entire Anambra State of crime and criminalities, is being termed clueless by Okorocha, then there must be another meaning for cluelessness.”

“Okorocha is widely known for his questionable past which has continued to trail him despite his hogwash attempts to cover it up with a facade of his bogus but empty philanthropic activities. Many people have over time seen through his tricks. Indeed, Okorocha is an example of what a leader should not be. He talks of ideas when he cannot pay workers salaries and now tries to intimidate Imo retirees to forfeit 60 per cent of their arrears.”

“This is a governor who has failed woefully to pay workers salaries. He is also heavily indebted to even pensioners who have spent their youth and strength to labour for the state. As Nigerians ruminate on this matter, the question should be asked: What was Okorocha before he became governor? What was his visible source of income?”