The governorship candidate of Labour Party in Imo State, Senator Athan Achonu has said until Okigwe zone is allowed to serve its second term, the state charter of equity will continue to run into troubled waters.
Achonu who made the disclosure while speaking on Hot FM radio station yesterday in Owerri said, “the truncation of Chief Ikedi Ohakim second term bid robbed Okigwe zone of four years saying until the zone completes her term, the Imo charter of equity will continue to experience challenges over zoning. Orlu with the support of Owerri zone did what they did because Okigwe comprises of just six local government areas.”
Achonu who hails from Okigwe zone said Imo leaders know the truth but are afraid for their lives and opt to stay mute saying already several traditional rulers have been killed to instill fear in the populace, and that Orlu should finish before the charter starts just because they are scared.
On claims of conflicting court judgments on the authentic gubernatorial candidate of Labour Party for Imo state, Achonu accused the All Progressive Congress chapter of the state.
He said “The APC administration is rattled by my emergence and have resorted to propaganda. Statistics show that Labour Party won all the elections in Imo and that is why they are rattled, but you will see what will happen because Imo is Labour”.
Achonu blamed politicians for the cause of criminality in the Southeast zone saying “the cause of criminality and insurgency in the zone was the hijack of local government funds by politicians but upon swearing-in by January, I will declare full autonomy for our LGs.
“I will declare full autonomy for local governments on my swearing in day. I will announce Sole Administrators for six months but within four months, I will conduct the freest election in Nigeria. I have been championing LG autonomy since Chief Obasanjo was president till today. I have funded groups to demand the autonomy like NULGE. There will be massive employment, Imo will be the hub, have no fear”, the former senator said.
He appealed to youths to drop arms and allow Southeast to thrive “I already lost an arm during the Biafra war trying to save my mother and siblings. My brothers, let’s shun criminality and fear, see nobody can steal votes. I’m coming and from January, Imo will be safe again”, Achonu said.
According to Achonu, Operation Python dance marked the onset of violence of Igbo youths. “Before operation python dance, these youths were not violent. But we watched unarmed youths suffocated in water and no southeast leader or governor challenged it. Our youths were helpless and took up arms.
“There’s a law for certain group of people and another for others. A cattle rearer owns AK 47 rifle, kills someone. He is arrested and later given amnesty but unarmed Igbo youths protesting were arrested and are languishing in jail. Until they have a sense of belonging, they will not feel they belong”.
The guber hopeful expressed optimism to win the election saying he will turn the fortune of the state around “I live and invested billions in Imo. I tried building the biggest shopping complex in Africa but government refused and used it as IICC building. I will activate the Sam Mbakwe airport to function optimally as international cargo airport and we will maximise it as Ndigbo. My people, wait for me, I’m coming”, he said.
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