Our attention has been drawn to a plot by Gov. Okorocha to dupe the 644 Autonomous Communities in Imo State the sum of almost N4billion in the dying days of his regime. In a letter issued by his Commissioner for Community Government, Culture and Traditional Affairs, Hon Louis O. Duru, each of the 644 Communities was been directed to pay the sum of N6million as counterpart funding for developmental projects.

The communities have been threatened with withdrawal of their autonomy were they to fail to pay as well as suspension of Salaries/Allowances of their Traditional Rulers.

This cheap blackmail to Autonomous Communities is unacceptable and highly condemnable. However, we do not expect less from a dubious and anti-people administration. Accordingly, we advise all autonomous communities, their Ezes and Leaders to refrain from allowing their people from being duped. This attempt at extorting with official threat should be discountenanced.

Signed,

Macdonald Enwere

Chief Press Secretary to Hon Uche Onyeagucha

18th April 2018