2017: The year Rochas Okorocha became Nigeria’s most controversial governor
Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State is unarguably one of the most visible politicians in Nigeria, making headlines routinely. The controversial governor has made decisions that border in the incredible, throwing many of his citizens into a state of disbelief.
One of the instances that probably made Okorocha felt like the only governor in Nigeria was his 55th birthday celebration.
Not all governors get to experience the show of love from their citizens. Even for the selected few that do, it is only a few of them that would get an all-around kind of treatment from the local governments in their states.
It was Okorocha’s 55th birthday the exited governor could not keep the feelings to himself.
“It’s not yet my birthday, but the sound of celebration and drum rolls begins, a show of love as women from 27 LGA with 27 cakes visits me today,” the governor tweeted, alongside pictures of the cake and the women.
Just after the cake baptism, Okorocha made history by unveiling a statue in honour of South African President Jacob Zuma as well as a major highway.
The governor’s decision, however, met a serious backlash in the political space of the country and the Nigerian society at large.
While dealing with Zuma’s statue, Okorocha threw Nigerians at shock again as he unveiled a statue for Liberian president, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.
The statue was uncovered at Ikemba Ojukwu Square in Owerri, the state capital, next to N520 million bronze-cast monument of Zuma, that earned Okorocha public condemnation when it was unveiled in October.
Nigerians were again met by shock as the governor was alleged to have spent a total of N1billion on the unveiled statues. In a state where civil servants are being owed several salary arrears, it was shocking at what Okorocha prioritised.
As if all these were not enough, the Imo governor appointed his younger sister, Ogechi Ololo as the state Commissioner for Happiness and Couples’ Fulfillment.
