From Nnamdi Ofonye, Owerri
Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha has finally laid to rest the speculations that he will abandon the state and vie for the presidency.
Gov. Okorocha made the clarification on Monday during the swearing-in ceremony of seven new commissioners alongside seven new transition committee chairmen.
The Governor said that the large number of those aspiring to fly PDP’s flag is because of the belief that he will take a shot at the presidency but said that they will be disappointed as he will not abandon the state at least for now adding that he will make his public declaration for his second term in the coming days.
The swearing in of the new commissioners is coming after over one month following the resignation of about six commissioners who are seeking various elective positions.
Among those sworn-in is Patience Mbakwe, daughter of second republic governor of the state, Sam Mbakwe. She will be incharge of the Ministry of Industry and non-formal sector. Mr. Chidi Ibe is the new commissioner for Information and Strategy. Obinna Mbata will now supervise the ministry of internally generated revenue among others
The Local Government Transition Committee Chairmen sworn-in were those of Owerri North, Owerri West, Owerri Municipal, Ahiazu Mbaise, Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta and Oru East Local Governments.
Addressing the transition chairmen, the Governor charged them not to see their appointments as an opportunity to acquire wealth or loot the state, but a call to service which is coming at the last lap of his present administration. He stressed that he carefully chose them not on political basis but strictly on his conviction that they will promote the rescue mission programme of his administration.
