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Former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has urged his predecessor, Emeka Ihedioha, to emulate his Oyo counterpart, Seyi Makinde, by concentrating fully on governance in the state.
Okorocha, now the senator representing Imo West in the National Assembly, was yesterday reacting to the constitution of a seven-man panel by Governor Emeka to investigate land deals from 2006 to May this year.
Faulting the move, the ex-governor urged his successor to follow the “good example of the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, in putting his thinking caps thoroughly before taking any action.”
In a statement by his Special Adviser (Media), Sam Onwuemeodo, he accused Ihedioha of peopling the panel with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members for ulterior motives.
Okorocha flayed the setting up of about 14 committees “all tilted to find fault in my eight-year administration.”
The senator claimed that Ihedioha was not only pursuing him but also President Muhammadu Buhari.
Meanwhile, a non-governmental organisation, Global Society for Anti-Corruption (GSAC), has appealed to Governor Ihedioha to grant an unconditional pardon to a prisoner, Paul Egboluche.
Paul, like his father, Pa Celestine Egboluche, is currently on death row at the Enugu Maximum Prisons, having been convicted 19 years ago.
However, while his father, Pa Celestine was released from detention last month at the age of 100 years following a pardon granted to him by Okorocha, Paul, his only surviving son, has remained in custody.
GSAC, in a letter of appeal by its president, Frank Ezeona, asked the governor to intervene in the matter in view of the worsening health condition of Pa Celestine, who has been hospitalised since his release from prison.
The letter, dated July 30, 2019, was signed on behalf of the president of the group by the Regional Director, South East and South-South, Mrs. Amaka Nweke.
It reads in part: “Pa Celestine Egboluche is diabetic and his long incarceration without any medical care worsened his health condition. Presently, the sick old man is admitted in a hospital at Enugu, Enugu State far away from his hometown of Akowa in Ideato Local Government Area of Imo State.
“Similarly, his son, Paul is presently on death row at the Enugu Maximum Prisons having been convicted alongside his aged father.
“We passionately appeal to you that in exercise of the powers bestowed on your good offices pursuant to Section 212 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to grant an unconditional pardon to Mr. Paul Egboluche, who is the only surviving son of Pa Celestine Egboluche.”
