The candidate of the Labour Party (LP), for the November 11 gubernatorial polls, Senator Athan Achonu has reiterated that it is insulting to him over the side talks that Governor Hope Uzodinma had bankrolled his primary election with one million US dollars, while the governor has is still owing him one hundred million naira.
He said that he is not a thief that could be bought as he is still in court with the state government.
The LP gubernatorial candidate stated this at the weekend during a symposium held to mark his 64 years birthday in Owerri, Imo State capital.
He said, ” I heard the stories that Governor Hope Uzodinma sponsored my primary elections with USD 1 million dollars.
“How possible can that be? Governor Hope Uzodinma is a product of the courts. So how can a man who refused to obey the court order to return my property (60% share of Imo Hotels) to me and to pay me 100 million Naira be able to sponsor me with 1 million dollars?
I am not a thief and I can not be bought. I am in court with the government, and I have won the case. Obey simple court order, he cannot. He is governor because of a court order and he cannot obey simple court orders. I bought 60 % of Imo Hotels and he has refused to obey the court order to return my property and to pay me 100m Naira judgement cost. Is it Governor Hope who cannot obey a court order to pay me 100m that will sponsor me with 1 million Dollars?”
He further informed the guests of the need to take over the government house, stop the bloodshed in Imo and to restore the peace in the state.
“Immediately I am sworn in I will restore Local Government Autonomy, I will use Imo State as an example to show what local governments can do if you allow them their money and the people monitor them. I have always believed that once you are elected councillor and chairman, you cannot have crime anywhere because every councillor will know all the people who live in the ward and will know who the criminals are.
Continuing, “In my Akuruoulo, I have advocated for the establishment of vigilantes in all LGAs in the state. That is visible on my billboards everywhere.
In America, they have sheriffs and policing up to rural levels. That’s why Governors are asking for community policing but because of the level of corruption that is not possible yet. So, I will also ensure the judiciary and the state house of assembly and Local Governments has financial autonomy.
After then we can allow community because then there will be different levels of governance, different levels of authority. Then you will not have this dictatorial tendencies that the governors are exhibiting all over the place.”
The LP Governorship Hopeful says that the party will the state on November 11.
“Labour Party won everywhere. Labour Party owns the state. Even this last House of Assembly elections, we are waiting to see what the judiciary will do,” he said.
Earlier, Discussants at the symposium themed: Pathways To Economic Recovery, Dr Nnaemeka Obiareri Investment Banking Executive, Forensic Investigator, and Development Economist, Pascal Odibo, Business and development consultant, Engr Chibuikem Diala, Tourism and Green Economy expert, emphasized that to get the state back to productiveness that the hydra-headed insecurity bedevilling the state would have to be tackled by creating employment for the thousands of jobless youths in the state.
Ndi Kato, A young activist, politician and the Spokesperson of the Peter Obi Presidential Campaign Council was the moderator.
