Ihedioha Blasts Okorocha Over N600m Christmas And New Year Decorations -

OWERRI—The former Deputy Speaker of the House
of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, has
expressed shock over media reports that Imo State
government has earmarked over N600 million for
Christmas and New Year decorations in the state.
According to a press statement by his media aide,
Mr. Chibuike Onyeukwu, the former Deputy Speaker
questioned why Imo should spend such huge sums
at a time the citizenry are going through untold
hardship arising from over 20 months of unpaid
salary arrears and pensions.
It was the considered opinion of Chief Ihedioha that
the 27 local government councils had been
comatose for years, while several industrial disputes
had remained unresolved.
“There are several unresolved industrial disputes,
while the state’s infrastructure base has collapsed.
Today, there is palpable lack of vision for the
genuine development of the state, but the
government chose to embark on such inciting and
frivolous window dressing,” Ihedioha fumed.
Continuing, Chief Ihedioha said that “despite the
prevailing widespread disenchantment being
expressed by citizens, who recently called for his
immediate impeachment over the alarming rate of
hunger and insecurity occasioned by the inept
handling of issues of governance and unrepentant
deceit so far exhibited by the Okorocha led
administration, the governor has refused to repent or
address such concerns and other critical issues.”
While saying that “preparations for Christmas
celebration is a tradition all over the world,”
Ihedioha, however, said, it was “ridiculous and
indeed smacks of insensitivity for this government to
spend over N600 million on decorations when
families can no longer afford their meals and basic
needs as a result of non- payment of salaries,
pensions and other entitlements.”
He expressed displeasure that Governor Okorocha
had refused to constitute his cabinet six months
after election.