…As constituents reject Okolie
Speculations are rife that the alleged bribe of N220,000 each to some of the leaders of Isu clan in the Peoples Democratic Party PDP has torn the party apart, as the Ward chairmen from the Isu clan who believe that they are the real foot soldiers and grassroots mobilizers who should be appreciated are complaining bitterly.
Some of them who spoke to our correspondent wondered “why the so-called leaders some of who have never won election in their booths were given the sum of N220,000 each, while they who are doing the job by mobilizing and sensitizing the electorate in their various wards were given a paltry N20,000 to endorese Pascal Okolie, the incumbent lawmaker for Orlu state constituency for a second tenure.
A source who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that, “motivated by his desperate bid to stay in office beyond 2023 and the refusal of the Isu clan to surrender their mandate, as it is their turn to produce the next lawmaker for Orlu state constituency in 2023, Hon Pascal Okolie mobilized the leaders of Isu caln on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party and greased their palms with the sum of N220, 000 each.”
It was gathered that before the meeting which was convened on a Sunday, Okolie delegated his agent who went round and gave each of the leaders the sum of N200,000, while he now gave the sum of N20,000 to each of those who attended the meeting including the Ward Chairman who were exempted from the N200,000 initial largese.
This has created rancor and acrimony within the ranks of the PDP in Orlu, as those who were excluded from the N200, 000 windfall are raising dust.”
Continuing, the source said, “ having mortgaged their conscience on the altar of self aggrandizement, the Isu PDP leaders and stakeholders who had earlier called on Hon Pascal Okolie to step down as it is the turn of the Isu Clan to produce the state lawmaker have compromised and are now singing different tunes.
However, the Ward Chairmen and some of the stakeholders are still insisting that Pascal Okolie should step down in line with the zoning arrangement, pointing out the latter had been defrauded by those he allegedly gave N220,000 bribe.”
“As far as we are concerned, whatever arrangement he had with them does not hold water. On no account will we trade off what rightfully belongs to us. It is not all about money but about how to address the myriad of hydra-headed issues facing Orlu L.G.A, especially, the frightening level of insecurity which Pascal Okolie has refused to address or comment on. Despite the rampant killings, arson, and attendant hardship the has unleashed on the people as a result of the dislocation of socio-economic activities in Orlu and environ.”
“Let it be known that, we would rather vote enmasse for the candidate of the APC or Labour Party who are sons of Isu clan, to assuage our feelings of deprivation and neglect.”
They also posited that, “aside Pascal Okolie’s abysmal and ineffective performance so far, his disregard for the rotational arrangement that was signed and sealed in 1999 by former Governor, Achike Udenwa, former deputy Governor, Douglas Acholonu, Dr Vin Udokwu, among others is insulting and inexcusable.”
It would be recalled that Hon Pascal Okolie, is a product of the rotational arrangement which made his predecessor in office, Hon Marcel Odunze a renowned industrialist not to seek a second tenure, despite his impressive performance and financial muscle, thereby paving the way for Okolie’s emergence as the lawmaker for Orlu State Constituency.
The source also hinted that the communiqué signed by the compromised PDP leaders from Isu clan after allegedly collecting money would be made public soon.
