Ihedioha, Uzodimma in war of words over Imo leadership, insecurity

Former Governor Emeka Ihedioha of Imo and ex-Deputy Governor Gerald Irona are in a war of words with Governor Hope Uzodimma’s supporters.

Mr Uzodimma’s supporters, under the aegis of Coalition For Justice, Peace and True Democracy, accused federal legislators Uche Onyeaguocha and Kingsley Uju (representing the Ohaji-Egbema/Oru West/ Oguta federal constituency) of making seditious remarks.

The coalition alleged that Messrs Onyeaguocha and Irona had at various times addressed Mr Ihedioha as the governor of Imo.

“On July 28, 2022, Onyeagocha addressed Chief Emeka Ihedioha as the governor of Imo at the VIP reception of the Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport, Owerri, an utterance Ihedioha never took exception to. We recall the unkind statement made by former Deputy Governor Gerald Irona, when he said they would ‘make Imo ungovernable’ for Governor Hope Uzodimma,” said the group.

It feared that the remarks were capable of causing insurrection in Imo. The group asked security agencies to investigate Messrs Irona, Onyeaguocha and Ihedioha. According to the group’s spokesperson, Ahumaraeze Ikechukwu, the coalition decided to call for the investigation “after carefully analysing the remarks.”

In a reaction to the allegation on Saturday, Mr Onyeaguocha said, “I have no intention of sedition. I have always referred to him, Ihedioha, as the authentic governor elected by Imo voters.”

Also, Mr Ihedioha’s spokesman, Chibuike Onyekwu, said, “It is petty and laughable for Uzodimma to turn around and accuse Chief Emeka Ihedioha, Irona and other innocent and patriotic citizens and leaders of the PDP in Imo of fanning the embers of insecurity.”

According to him, the allegation is “one of the sponsored antics by the governor and his cohorts to divert the attention of the public from the failures of his administration.”

(NAN)