Ohakim pledges to recall 10,000 Imo youths to work if re-elected in 2015

Former Governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim has promised that he would recall all of the 10,000 youths of the state he had employed shortly before leaving office in 2011, but were summarily disengaged from service by the incumbent Governor, Rochas Okorocha, if he (Ohakim) is re-elected as governor of the state by 2015.

Ohakim, whose comeback bid has been shrouded in confusion, following the burning of his Owerri home months back, disclosed this at Aladinma Shopping Mall, Owerri, a facility his administration built, but which has remained unoccupied for three years.

During a one-day maiden youth summit, with the theme: ‘Road to Success: My Address, Your Response, Our Collective Victory’, organised by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Imo State chapter, last weekend, Ohakim said: “If it is God’s wish, I’m coming back, on the same Friday, May 29, 2015, all of you are returning to your jobs”.

The immediate past governor, who was defeated at the May 2011 Imo Supplementary election by Governor Okorocha’s All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), but who since shifted over to the All Progressives Congress (APC), said the best option to get youths to escape crime, is for government to undertake youth empowerment.

He accused the current administration of Governor Okorocha of playing politics with 10,000 youth jobs: “People played politics on the 10,000 youth jobs which my administration created in 2011.”

Ohakim urged the youths to step out for their rights. “I share in your joy and sorrow. You are the leaders and bedrock of tomorrow’s Imo State. All of us must return to the business of nurturing our future; the blame game cannot stop the challenge we face today,” he stated.