Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has said that the wealth of his predecessors must have been overestimated as some of them left office as paupers.
He said ex-governors Sam Mbakwe, Evan Enwerem, Achike Udenwa and Ikedi Ohakim were not as rich as they were in the perception of the public when they left office, stressing that it was for this reason that he was building befitting houses for them.
Okorocha, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Sam Onwuemeodo, said it was a wrong assessment for people to have concluded that the former governors left office as rich people, adding that none of the former governors could be adjudged rich by any standard after they left government house.
“The argument to that effect had arisen when the governor disclosed his readiness to build befitting houses for the former governors to encourage people on the need to always appreciate and honour their past leaders,” he added noting that having governed the state at one time or the other, they deserve the appreciation of Imo people.
“Where is the wealth Sam Mbakwe was said to have accumulated for which he was imprisoned? Where is the wealth today? You need to see what the children are going through. Where is the wealth Enwerem, or Udenwa or Ohakim were said to have acquired?
“Look around and show me where this wealth said to have been accumulated by the former governors is. It is not true. The problem lies with the perception of people,” he said.
