CD Gives 14- Day Ultimatum To Okorocha; Insists Sack Decision Must Be Reversed

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Imo, Latest Headlines, News From The State Monday, January 25th, 2016

By Ignatius Okpara, Owerri

The South East zonal office of Campaign for Democracy (CD) has given the Imo state Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, 14- day ultimatum to reverse the recent sack of over 3,000 state workers, as well as apologize to workers or face its wrath.

Chairman of the organization in the zone, Mr Uzor Uzor, who handed down the warning on Sunday in Enugu, insisted that disengaging the workers without just cause or any explanation by the Imo state government was uncivilized and undemocratic.

He however, warned that if the Governor fails to reverse the sack, CD would mobilize Civil society groups and other organizations to shut down the State.

His word: “We have given Gov. Okorocha as a mark of respect, 14 days to apologize to Imo workers for this embarrassment”.

The Zonal Chairman further reminded the Governor that Imo was not the only State in Nigeria presently facing economic hard time.

Uzor, therefore, condemned the action of Okorocha in its entirety, stressing that it was the same Governor, who promised to provide jobs for the youths when he was seeking for their votes.

He advised Governor Okorocha to follow due process if there was need to retrench workers.

“The excuse the Governor is giving does not amount to what would lead to retrenching of workers who have put in meritorious service of between seven and 20 years.

“Gov. Okorocha rode on the mantra of rescuing Imo and creating jobs for teeming unemployed youths, but we are highly surprised that he would turn against the job creation.

“A Governor who is supposed to have compassion for the people under him is now insensitive to their plight,’’

AFRICAN EXAMINER can authoritatively report that sharp criticism from different quarters have continued to trail the Governor’s action, since the sack was announced, even as the organized labour has asked the affected workers to disregard the directive and go about their normal duties.