OHAKIM, A PATRIOT, SAYS AGUKWE

Governor Ikedi Ohakim's acceptance of defeat and his pledge not to challenge the victory of Owelle Rochas Okorocha in court have been described as rare gesture from a patriot who wants the best for Imo State.

Imo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Nze Elvis Agukwe said it takes the maturity of a statesman and born leader for Ohakim to have offered his hand of fellowship to the governor-elect.

In his first official reaction after Gov Ohakim had congratulated Owelle Okorocha and pledged not to pursue the matter in court, the Commissioner noted that the governor's gesture was a testimony that the election was beyond Ohakim as a person.

'I said it before, and I repeat it now. The election was beyond Ohakim as a person. It was about the future of Imo State and the sanctity of agreements. But since the people have spoken, we have accepted the verdict', he said.

But he made it clear that in the days to come, Imo people will miss Ohakim as Nigeria still yearns for his leadership.

According to him, 'Nigeria has not heard the last of Ohakim. He has finished with the task of being a governor. I believe we still need his services in future'.

Nze Agukwe disagreed that Imo people rejected Ohakim, noting that the margin of victory which was about 44,000 votes did not confirm that assertion.

He said what happened was that godfathers, whom he described as political deities, conspired to scuttle the second term ambition of the governor because they were refused the key to the treasury of Imo State.

'These were people used to squandering the state resources and they refused to come to terms with Ohakim's resolve to ensure that Imo people benefit from their sweat', the commissioner insisted.

Nze Agukwe however commended Imo people for remaining calm and peaceful throughout the period of anxiety and uncertainty, noting that the fact that no blood was shed was due to the peaceful disposition of the governor.

Said he, 'Ohakim as a man of peace and destiny demonstrated that he was not desperate to remain a governor. That is why he restrained his supporters in the face of extreme provocation'.

He called on the people to extend that same cooperation to the in coming governor to ensure that the legacy of peace left by Ohakim is sustained.

The Commissioner also praised the media for their mature and objection reportage of events in Imo State during the period of election in the state, and urged them to remain steadfast to the ethics of the profession.