Okorocha fighting Ihedioha’s administration with ill-gotten wealth, Irona alleges

• ‘Ex-governor refutes a claim, says ‘I made my money before I joining politics’

As disputations between Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha and his predecessor, Rochas Okorocha continues, Deputy Governor of the state, Gerald Irona, has accused the latter of using ill-gotten wealth to fight Ihedioha’s administration.

Irona, who stated this at the weekend when the management team of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Channel 12, led by Mrs Franca Akenneye, visited him at Government House, Owerri, said the administration will, however, not be deterred by distractions.

But in a swift reaction, Okorocha said his political opponents were bent on dragging his name in the mud, insisting that he made his money long before he became governor.

Speaking at the weekend, the former governor said he worked hard to become wealthy, acquiring houses in most towns and cities of the country before he became governor in 2011.

Irona, however, restated the state government’s commitment to partner with NTA and other public institutions in the state to work for the interest of Imo people and Nigerians.

“We have finished politicking and this is time for governance, as such, all hands must be on deck to ensure that Nigeria moves forward. The country is going through a difficult period. Almost on a daily basis, there are media reports of ugly incidents and social vices everywhere.

“We will encourage you to support the government to fight crime in Imo State. Banditry has no boundaries and we must encourage the exposure of criminals, particularly, those that have looted our treasury.

“They must not be condoned. A criminal is a criminal. Criminals all over the world fight with ill-gotten wealth. It is the responsibility of the media to expose people who, in their opinion, through investigative journalism, are corrupt,” he stated.