DEMAND FOR OHAKIM'S ARREST IS BLACKMAIL - IMO PDP

The Imo branch of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the recent demand by some youths that former Imo State governor, Ikedi Ohakim be arrested as a form of blackmail.

In a statement signed by the Imo PDP Publicity Secretary, Chief Blyden Amajirionwu, the party alleged that those youths had been hired to make the demands by the present Imo State Government.

'The idea and timing of this unpopular demonstration, leaves no one in doubt that it was mere conspiracy and blackmail by the present government in Imo State against the PDP. The protesters only played out the script handed to them.

'The EFCC and ICPC are commissions that are very responsible and responsive to their assignments. The immediate past PDP administration in Imo State, led by Chief Ikedi Ohakim as governor, left indelible marks in the areas of health services, education, massive provision of infrastructure, road rehabilitation and reconstruction etc. Also, the details of financial activities of every state government in Nigeria are known to the anti-graft commissions more than any independent group or organisation.

'Therefore, the so called youth group that doesn't really exist, may not have information more than are in the possession of the commissions, whose primary responsibilities are to monitor and checkmate financial recklessness of individuals, government and checkmate governments and organizations.

'The timing of the action of those 21 youths deliberately hired for a purpose, that went to Government House, Owerri, can easily be understood and located. The planners and perpetrators, no doubt want to catch the fancy of the tribunal's judges.

'Their primary motive is to blackmail the former governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, who through his party, the PDP, presented overwhelming evidence of the illegitimacy of the present administration in Imo State,' the statement said.

However, it urged the youths in the state to avoid being used by politicians negatively.

'This is the right time for our youths to go into sober reflection and begin to ponder over a government that talks so much and does nothing.'