By  Chidi Nkwopara
Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, has explained that “the removal of the former chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers was considered necessary in the bid to restore sanity in the traditional institution.

The Governor, who stated this when the new leadership of the Council led by Eze Samuel Ohiri paid him a courtesy visit in the Government House, also said “the former chairman dragged the image of the traditional institutions to the mud by deeply involving himself in partisan politics.”

Okorocha pointed out that his action was aimed at saving the institution from further embarrassment and enthroning a credible leadership that will implement the reforms needed to restore Igbo cultural values. He maintained that “Ilomuanya’s removal is irreversible” since it is done in the best interest of the Traditional Council and the state.

Governor Okorocha also disclosed to the traditional rulers that his administration has begun investigation to unravel those behind a hidden account tagged Traditional Institution Account operated since 12 years where a whooping sum of 567 million belonging to the state was stashed away.

According to the governor, the fund had been used to procure 100 security vans and gadgets for the operations of Imo Rescue Security Outfit.

Earlier, the Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Samuel Ohiri presented to the governor a resolution by the council which warned the former chairman or any other traditional ruler against acts capable of breaching security in the state.

He urged the governor not to be distracted but to continue with the good work he had started under his rescue mission to transform the state.

Eze Ohiri added that the council would not hesitate to wield its big stick on any of its members whose conducts runs against the rules governing the council.