The Imo state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has
condemned the procurement of aircraft and inauguration of an airline,
‘Imo Air’ by Governor Rochas Okorocha at the Sam Mbakwe International
Airport, Owerri, saying the governor was busy campaigning for his 2019
presidential ambition instead of praying for president Muhammadu Buhari
who is on his sick bed.
PDP in a statement signed by Hon. Ray Emeana, described the inauguration
of the airline as the commencement of Okorocha’s presidential campaign
for 2019, accusing the governor of assembling resources at the expense
of the state for his presidential ambition in 2019.
The statement reads: “This is just another fraud that will not in any
way address the dwindling fortunes of the good people of Imo state but
will rather serve the bogus 2019 political ambition of Governor
Okorocha.
The said ‘inauguration of the airline’ did not only come as a rude shock
to Imo people, but also showcased one of such pernicious falsehood
blatantly peddled by Governor Okorocha wherein he claimed that, ‘Imo was
not affected by the much talked about recession in the country because
some people might wonder why the state should dabble into airline
business in time of recession.
“While records show that Governor Okorocha has received on behalf of Imo
State, over N150 billion between January to December 2016 in Internally
Generated Revenue, federal allocation, ecological funds, 13%
derivation, local government allocation, bailout funds and recently the
Paris Club Debt cancellation deductions, yet there is no trace of these
funds in any sector of the state.
“We had expected the governor to be bold enough to tell Nigerians that
the aeroplane was procured as part of logistics for his 2019
presidential campaign. More worrisome is the governor’s haste at
flagging off his presidential campaign at a time President Muhammadu
Buhari is on a medical vacation rather than join well-meaning Nigerians
to pray for the speedy recovery of Mr. President.”