WHAT IS IT BETWEEN GOV. OKOROCHA AND SENATOR CHRIS ANYANWU

What is it really between the Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha and Senator Chris Anyanwu? We heard some rumours in the past but they remained extremely “improbable”. But with the recent “convoy clash”, we might as well be getting somewhere. However, they are both of the same party; All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and they both contested, at their various levels, one of the fiercest elections of 2011 defeating the then incumbent party(People’s Democratic Party,PDP). While Gov. Okorocha defeated his predecessor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, Senator Chris Anyanwu who was then a serving senator under PDP, left the party after she was allegedly schemed out of getting the party’s ticket, and contested under APGA, defeated Dr. Kema Chekwa of PDP and was returned to the Senate. Looking back at the camaraderie between the two during that election, and the intrigue that followed, one was rather shocked when the news filtered in that there has been personality clash between them. Nevertheless, if what Senator Anyanwu said recently regarding the “convoy clash” is anything to go by, then there is more than meets the eyes. More confusing is the fact that she claimed to have visited the governor earlier at the government house where they both felicitated with each other. So is it possible for the same man (Governor Okorocha) to watch while her (Sen. Chris) drivers were being manhandled and a security detail attached to the governor, according to Senator Anyanwu, even threatened to shoot her. Though one of the governor’s aides has refuted Senator Anyanwu’s allegation, the big question therefore is “Who is telling the Truth/Lie and what exactly is between the duo”? For us, the drama has just begun; we will serve you every detail. Just log on daily to arizonanaija.blogspot.com, for the latest!!!

Meanwhile below is Senator  Chris Anyanwu’s explanation of the incident as reported by Nation Newspaper. Enjoy!

Okorocha Ordered Attack on My Convoy – Sen. Chris Anyanwu

Senator Chris Anyanwu yesterday accused Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha of ordering his security detail to attack her convoy and beat up her security men.
Wednesday’s convoy clash was the height of the personality clash between the two public officials both of whom were elected on the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

But Okorocha’s spokesman Ebere Uzoukwa denied the claims by the senator. He said the senator breached protocol by using a siren, which has been banned in the state.

“The senator’s vehicle suddenly rammed into the governor’s convoy close to the staff car, cutting off the lead security vehicle after overtaking dangerously and in a very suspicious manner,” Uzoukwa said.

But, Senator Anyanwu recounts the incident in Owerri, the Imo State capital. She described the governor’s security men’s action as “frightening” and “brutish”, adding that she had been threatened in the past at several occasions in the state.

Anyanwu said; “My day started around 9.30am when I visited the governor at the Government House on Tuesday to exchange pleasantries and he asked if I had adequate security and I said “yes” after which I left for my home town, Mbaise.”

“When we got to Azara Egbelu, we heard siren coming behind us and when it grew louder, we parked (our vehicles) to allow the convoy way to pass. But, surprisingly, the approaching convoy which comprised of truck loads of armed and stern looking men double crossed us and pulled out two of my drivers dragging them into the bush where they were mercilessly beaten and left with broken skull and bruises.

“When I could not bear it any more, I rushed out of my car barefooted and started shouting: “I am Senator Chris Anynawu please don’t kill my driver, but one of the armed men charged at me and threatened to shoot me for running into the governor’s convoy. All these while, the Governor was seated in his car with the glass wound down and I heard him shout at his security men to disarm my orderlies”.

Mrs. Anywanwu described the Governor’s action as “a misplaced show of power. The power of the state is so enormous and you don’t need to intimidate, harass or kill your people to assert your powers as a governor.

“I am tired of all these abuses and harassment in this state. It is not only in Imo State that they have female legislators. If they could do this to me, what will happen to the ordinary people, this has to stop”.

The governor’s spokesman insisted that Senator Anyanwu breached security, adding that her outburst of anger could have resulted in a heavy casualty if not for the discipline of the governor’s security men who displayed a high sense of decency, professionalism and maturity.