Okorocha: Why I Foot-dragged On Gulak’s Murder

By Gideon Njoku

“Politics has, in recent times, been allowed to eat deep into the fabric of the Nation’s life, so much, that when certain situations like the death of Gulak arise, Leaders would foot-drag over what they should have, ordinarily, done, or say, because of the needless political colouration some Leaders have chosen to give to every incident”

Former Governor of Imo State, and now, the Senator representing Imo West, has hinted on why he delayed before reacting to the gruesome murder of Alhaji Ahmed Gulak in Imo State, on Sunday, May 30, 2021.

Gulak was murdered on his way to the Imo airport to take a flight back to Abuja.

While the State Police Command put his murder at the feet of the Eastern Security Network, ESN, the Security branch of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, saying it had arrested and/or killed the gang responsible for murder, the State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, in a broadcast to the State on Monday, said it was a political assassination, insisting that everything will be done to unravel the sponsors.

Since Gulak’s gruesome murder, not a few people were taken aback that most high profile politicians in the State kept sealed lips.

Ordinarily, such a brutal murder of Gulak, a high profile politician, who had been a member of both most prominent political parties – APC and PDP, the parties to which all prominent politicians in the State belong to, ought to have attracted immediate outrage.

But the political bitterness and hatred in the State is so deep that some people see it as an APC/PDP “fight”. So, there is an unbelievable indifference or “inner satisfaction.”

A few people had called out Okorocha, in particular, asking why he had made no statement on Gulak’s murder, especially, as they belonged to same party, APC.

But Okorocha was, understandably, being careful. He, and his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, had tangoed with Gulak, and were very bitter with him. Both of them say it was Gulak who deliberately denied Nwosu of the APC ticket. And, they think that but for him,  perhaps, Nwosu could have been Governor today.

But, finally, he has spoken. In speaking, he explained why he delayed in commenting on the gruesome murder. He hinted on all kinds of talks and allegations and speculations, over Gulak’s murder. In a statement signed on his behalf by his Media Adviser, Sam Onwuemeodo,  Okorocha said: “Politics has, in recent times, been allowed to eat deep into the fabric of the Nation’s life so much that when certain situations like the death of Gulak arise, leaders would foot-drag over what they should have ordinarily done, or say, because of the needless political colourations some leaders have chosen to give to every incident.”

He called on the Inspector General of Police to take over the investigation, and advised leaders to be sensitive to their utterances.

Following is the statement released on Okorocha’s behalf by Onwuemeodo.

“Former Governor of Imo State and Senator representing Imo West Senatorial Zone, Senator Rochas Okorocha has outrightly condemned the unfortunate murder of one of the front row politicians in this country, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, describing his death, as unfortunate and disheartening.

“Senator Okorocha has also sent his heartfelt condolences to the family of Alhaji Gulak and to the Government of Adamawa State, over the death of the politician, explaining that the Nation at large, and Adamawa State in particular, have lost a very vibrant politician.

“He regretted that politics has in recent time, been allowed to eat deep into the fabric of the nations life, so much so that, when certain situations like the death of Gulak arise, leaders would foot-drag over what they should have ordinarily done or say, because of the needless political colourations some leaders have chosen to give to every incident.

“Okorocha appealed to leaders and stakeholders, to always guard their utterances on sensitive issues, to avoid jeopardizing efforts being made by genuine leaders to stop the ugly story of insecurity in the Country, adding that, leaders should show their commitment to the campaign against insecurity through their utterances, actions and inactions.

“Senator Okorocha calls for unmitigated investigation to unravel the motive or circumstances surrounding the killing of Gulak, adding that, the lnspector General of Police should take over the investigation to ensure that a thorough job is done.

“Okorocha regretted the spate of killings across the nation including his home State Imo, that had been peaceful before now, stating that, where the use of force or use of arms has failed, diplomacy, dialogue and God-given wisdom can be deployed.

“He remarked that anybody or any leader trying to score cheap political point or gain, out of these killings, should be seen as very unpatriotic and called on such people to help the nation, by having a rethink, adding that the lives of Nigerians can not equated with political gains.

“Sam Onwuemeodo, Special Adviser (Media) to the former Imo State Governor and Senator Representing Imo West Senatorial District, Senator Rochas Okorocha

“Okorocha regretted the spate of killings across the nation including his home State Imo, that had been peaceful before now, stating that, where the use of force or use of arms has failed, diplomacy, dialogue and God-given wisdom can be deployed.

“He remarked that anybody or any leader trying to score cheap political point or gain, out of these killings, should be seen as very unpatriotic and called on such people to help the nation, by having a rethink, adding that the lives of Nigerians can not equated with political gains.”