By Ifeanyichukwu Ibe
Imo State Special Citizens have criticised former Governor Rochas Okorocha over what they described as the disastrous consequences of his eight-year administration, accusing him of governance failure, institutional decay, waste of public resources and alleged financial impropriety.
They made the allegations during a press conference in Owerri on Monday, November 2, 2026, where they called for accountability, restitution and justice for the people of Imo State, particularly persons with disabilities.
Reading a communique on behalf of the group, Dr. Samuelson Emehibe, described the 2011–2019 administration as a troubling period in the state’s political and administrative history, alleging that frequent changes in government appointments, arbitrary decisions and repeated restructuring weakened public institutions.
He cited the appointment of eight Commissioners for Information and five Secretaries to the State Government within eight years as evidence of administrative instability, adding that experienced civil servants were allegedly sidelined, intimidated or prematurely retired.
On financial management, Emehibe recalled allegations raised by former Governor Emeka Ihedioha concerning the management of approximately N1 trillion in state resources during the preceding administration. He also referenced alleged irregularities involving N106 billion in contract-related expenditures, multiple government bank accounts, bailout funds, Paris Club refunds and accumulated pension liabilities.
He called on relevant anti-corruption agencies to 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗢𝗸𝗼𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗵𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 credible allegations and ensure the recovery of public assets where unlawful appropriation is established.
The disability advocate also raised concerns over the alleged acquisition of about 100 hectares of land from Ugakwoche Village in 2017, reportedly for the Nigerian Air Force, and the reported transfer of eleven specialist and general hospitals to private interests.
He further questioned the accountability of security outfits established under 𝗢𝗸𝗼𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗵𝗮’𝘀 administration, including the Imo Security Network and Imo Community Watch, insisting that government must respect human rights and the rule of law.
In what he described as the 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗳𝘂𝗹, Emehibe accused the former governor of allegedly taking over and renaming a development initiative originally established to empower persons with disabilities as Rochas Foundation College without the informed consent of its original leadership.
He claimed that his organisation had established relationships with international development partners, including the George Bush organisation in the United States, and alleged that a 27-member American delegation was prevented from meeting the original leadership during a visit to the centre. He called for an independent investigation of the foundation’s registration documents, donor records and ownership.
Emehibe further accused the Okorocha administration of failing to establish sustainable structures for the inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities, arguing that genuine inclusion required accessible infrastructure, inclusive education, healthcare, employment opportunities, budgetary commitments and political representation.
Emehibe called on the Federal Government, anti-corruption agencies and Imo State Government to investigate credible allegations against the former administration, implement relevant judicial commission recommendations where applicable, and establish stronger policies for the protection of persons with disabilities.
He declared that the Special Citizens would pursue the recovery of properties, resources and entitlements allegedly denied them during the Okorocha administration, stressing that their demand was for accountability, restitution, dignity and justice, not political persecution.
He rejected what he described as political tokenism and the use of persons with disabilities for publicity, insisting that their rights and dignity must be protected.
The speaker appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to carefully scrutinise Okorocha’s political antecedents and governance record before according him political influence in Imo State. He also dismissed the emerging Rainbow Coalition, insisting that the Imo Special Citizens he represents had not endorsed any alternative political arrangement.
He reaffirmed their support for President Tinubu, Governor Hope Uzodimma and the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging party members to remain loyal to the recognised leadership and resist attempts to undermine the party’s unity.
He maintained that Orlu Senatorial Zone had demonstrated its political preference through its support for Governor Uzodimma, whom he described as the APC standard-bearer for the zone.
Emehibe also challenged Okorocha to provide verifiable facts concerning his recent social media comments about unfinished projects in Imo State, arguing that public discourse on development should be based on documentation and independent verification rather than political grandstanding.
Commending the Uzodimma administration’s developmental initiatives, Emehibe highlighted the Owerri-Orlu and Owerri-Okigwe road dualisation projects, Assumpta Twin Flyovers, Owerri-Mbaise-Obowo-Umuahia Road, MCC-Toronto-Uratta Road, Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport upgrade, Orashi Independent Power Project, Light Up Imo Initiative, SkillUp Imo Programme and the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Convention Centre, among others.
He also cited the implementation of the N104,000 minimum wage for civil servants as part of the present administration’s interventions.
