Ikedi Ohakim, Imo state 2019 governorship candidate of the Accord Party (AP), has thrown his weight behind the governor-elect of the state, Emeka Ihedioha
Ohakim, an ex-governor of Imo state, also asked his counterparts, who have gone to court to challenge the outcome of the state’s governorship election, to withdraw their suits.
DAILY POST reports that Ohakim was among those that contested against Ihedioha and lost. He has however called on those who feel aggrieved over the outcome of the polls to sheathe the sword and withdraw their petitions from the Tribunal, saying that doing so is in the best interest of the state.
Ohakim, who described Imo as a “collapsed state”, argued that litigation will only worsen things for the governor-elect who has come to salvage the rot in the state.
Ohakim was quoted in a statement yesterday by his chief press secretary, Collins Ughalaa, as saying: “The aggrieved governorship candidates would be helping the state when they withdraw their petitions.”
He noted that he suffered such fate when he faced 19 court cases for the period of four years he was governor, and therefore would not want Ihedioha to pass through the same horrible experiences and distractions.
According to Ohakim, continuing with the court cases would be inimical to the progress of the state because “it would scare away development partners and other investors because investors do not invest where there are litigations”.
He said the numerous litigation he faced as governor was the reason that foreign partners for the refinery project located at Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area pulled out.
“Ihedioha is coming to lead a collapsed state and therefore does not need distractions but prayers and support from all and sundry,” he said.
