RE: A LETTER TO IMO HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY MEMBERS By Angela Nkwo-Akpolu

My attention has been drawn to a letter purportedly written by a group called Imo Concerned Citizens in London to the Imo State House of Assembly making many spurious allegations against the person of Governor Ikedi Ohakim and the First Lady of the State, Barr Chioma Ohakim.

The letter signed by Dr Emmanuel Chidi Okoro as Chairman and Chief Nnaemeka Nwakama as General Secretary appealed to the Honourable members to caution the Imo First Lady on comments she was alleged to have made.

The duo had alleged that Barr Ohakim had earlier in the year when answering questions from Imo state citizens in Imo House in London about her special relationship with the Yar'Aduas and the President's continuous absence said “As a mother and a wife I expect her [Mrs. Jonathan] to pray for President Yar'Adua to return to Nigeria healthy not parading herself as First Lady in waiting.”

Further, the duo alleged that Barr Ohakim said Mrs. Patience Jonathan wants to reap from where she did not sow.

I wish to state in unequivocal terms that the allegations levelled against the wife of the Governor of Imo State is false, baseless, and intended to simply incite the wife of the acting President, Dame Patience Goodluck-Jonathan and by extension, the acting First Family against Barr Chioma Ohakim.

Let me state in clear terms that Barr Chioma Ohakim never had any meeting or audience with Imo state citizens in Imo House in London let alone make such statements; it is only a figment of the group's imagination.

One begins to wonder why people who claim to be interested in the upliftment of Imo State and her people will fabricate such inciting comments to cause disaffection between Barr Ohakim and the wife of the acting President, Dame Patience Jonathan.

It is curious to note that a comment the group purported was made earlier in the year is only playing into public domain now, when the polity has cooled down, thereby showing that it is a calculated attempt to stir up tension which must be condemned in very strong terms.

Contrary to what the group thought, there is nothing for Imo State House of Assembly to condemn because Barr Chioma Ohakim has had no contact with Imo state citizens abroad let alone address their gathering at the Imo House in London.

I urge all well meaning Nigerians to disregard the letter and the allegations made therein because they are untrue and totally baseless.

While I appeal to the group and their cohorts to shun the attitude of spreading falsehood but join hands in the improvement of Imo State.

For the doubting Thomases, Governor Ikedi Ohakim is not relenting in his effort to place Imo State on the national map which has already paid off, with the establishment of a naval base in Oguta; collaboration of the Federal Government on the Oak Refinery Project; the Housing Scheme in Osemoto; establishment of Skills acquisition centres; cash grants to traders; and soon employment of 10,000 people into the State Civil Service amongst others.

For the avoidance of doubt, Imo State is undergoing a positive transformation and nobody can thwart the cause because IMO IS SECURELY IN THE HANDS OF GOD.

Angela Nkwo-Akpolu is the Chief Press Secretary to the wife of the Governor of Imo State.