Ohakim’s handover constitutional, says Ahamba

Owerri – Friday’s official handover by Gov. Ikedi Ohakim of Imo to the governor-elect, Chief Rochas Okorocha, has been described as appropriate and constitutional.

A legal luminary, Chief Mike Ahamba, said  that the administration had run its full course of four years between May 29, 2007 and May 29, 2011.

Reacting to the development which has caused a lot of curiosity among the people of Imo, Ahamba explained that the tenure of the governor formally lapsed on Friday in spite of the fact that the inauguration would come up on Sunday.

The Owerri-based legal practitioner, who announced his retirement from active politics recently, said: “It is only the governors whose tenures were extended that should remain in office,” adding that there was nothing wrong in Ohakim’s action.

Speaking in the same vein, Ohakim’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Henry Ekpe, said the handover was done on Friday “because this is the last working day of the week’’.

“If there is another working day before Sunday, which is the inauguration day, he would have differed it,” Ekpe, told NAN on telephone.

Many residents, including journalists, expressed surprise at the development, wondering why Ohakim could not wait till Sunday to handover like his counterparts in other states of the federation.

Some said on the condition of anonymity that the governor might have been advised to avoid being seen at the venue of the inauguration for fear that he might be mobbed by the people.

NAN recalls that Ohakim’s defeat was widely celebrated by residents of Owerri when the result of the supplementary election was announced by INEC.

The jubilant crowd, mainly students, tricycle operators, hawkers, traders and artisans, danced round the streets, tearing Ohakim’s life-size campaign billboards and posters in strategic locations in the town. (NAN)