Okorocha wrestles Ohakim, Ihedioha for criticizing Happiness Ministry

The decision of Governor Rochas Okorocha to create an uncommon Ministry of Happiness and Purpose Fulfillment has pitched him against a former governor of the state, Ikedi Ohakim, and former Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha.

The governor’s appointment of his biological sister to head the new ministry has equally drawn the ire of both former officers, as well as the generality of people of the state, and Nigerians in general.

Ohakim and Ihedioha has criticized Okorocha on the developments, but the governor in turn, lambasted them, for their submissions.

The governor boasted that both Ohakim and Ihedioha lacked what it takes to compete with him in terms of governance.

Ohakim and Ihedioha had in separate reactions mocked Okorocha for the creation of the new ministry he appointed his younger sister, Mrs. Ogechi Ololo, as commissioner to oversee.

The former governor had described the creation as an abomination and wondered how Okorocha has continued to insult the sensibilities of Imo people.

“This is a sort of abomination. How can this man continue to insult the sensibilities of Imo citizens? Whose happiness are they looking for when salaries and pensions are not paid? Are we looking for the happiness of the Okorocha family and friends?” Ohakim was quoted to have said.

Ihedioha had also in his reaction reportedly said, “Honestly, I am completely tired of talking about this man and his style of administration. You can be sure that before we finish talking about the creation of Ministry of Happiness, he will come with a more bizarre thing.”

But replying them in a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo in Owerri, Okorocha said they were not his match.

He said that those mocking him for erecting statues of President Jacob Zuma and dubbing the man a corrupt leader, should know that Zuma is still the President of South Africa despite being dubbed corrupt.

“At the end of the day, the achievements of the new Ministry of Happiness and Purpose Fulfillment, will be so amazing that the critics of the initiative, will not only be shocked but will also regret to have drawn the curtain for the new Ministry even before it takes off.

“Ideas are like bullets. They pierce greatly. And Rochas Okorocha is a man of tremendous ideas who thinks about the present and the generations yet unborn. He does not misfire on any issue, the attendant criticisms notwithstanding. When the new ministry begins to bear the expected fruits, the accolades will envelop the early criticisms.

“Some people have also talked about Jacob Zuma’s Statue as a referenced case. The criticisms that greeted Zuma’s Statue were all anchored on the Corruption allegations against the South African President.

“Yet, the fact remains that the man is still the President of that Country. He has neither been sentenced to imprisonment nor impeached as president following these corruption claims.

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“We also want to let the public know that the former governor of the State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim and the 2015 PDP governorship Candidate in the State Chief Emeka Ihedioha are the least qualified to criticize Okorocha on any policy or programme.

“Ohakim was governor for four years and has no achievement to his Credit. And that administration could only be associated with the flogging of Citizens, including a Priest. Today, Owerri has twelve lane roads, 3 tunnels, two fly-overs, five in-land roads, four pedestrian bridges, street lights and befitting structures, Courtesy of Governor Okorocha.

“Chief Ihedioha was in the House of Representatives for 12 years and ended up being the Deputy Speaker but could not fix the only market called Nkwo-Mbutu in his ward, Mbutu, and all the NDDC Projects that have developed K-legs in the State are directly or indirectly linked to him,” the statement read.

Ohakim, again in a later reaction, on his Facebook wall on Friday, said he was standing for the future generation and not only the present one, and therefore could not keep quiet.

“I know that standing up for and speaking out for my people makes me a target for attacks, ridicule and blackmail from the oppressors of my people and even from the same people I am standing up for. But am I just standing for you?

“No, I am standing for the future of my children, your children, our children. If I keep quiet today what will I tell them tomorrow when my silence jeopardizes their future?

“Is your silence jeopardizing the future of our children? Is your misplaced hatred occasioned by misinformation jeopardizing the future of your children? Our children and the future we create for them is all that matters. God bless you.”

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