He said he had forgiven those who offended him during the course of his administration.
Ohakim made the appeal yesterday while playing host to the people of Okigwe who called at his country home to urge him to respond to their call for him to complete the tenure of the zone, as his services were still needed in the state.
According to the former governor, those he offended included the sacked school teachers verified by the state government, the operators of illegal shanties on the major roads in the state, the banned commercial motorcycle riders, among others.
He pointed out that he thought he was doing the right thing but expressed surprise that during the campaign for the governorship position in the state in 2011, the incumbent governor used it against him to get himself to power. On the purported flogging of a clergyman, the former governor maintained that his political detractors used it as a campaign strategy to edge him out of government house, maintaining his stand that he never assaulted any clergy, as he was vindicated by the said victim.
“I apologise to the street traders, the school teachers who underwent a verification exercise and were not cleared by the panel, even though it is sad that most of them are campaigning for the present government. I apologise to the motorcycle riders who believe I edged them out of business, even though I replaced it with tricycles also known as ‘Keke NAPEP’, I thought I was doing the right thing,” Ohakim appealed.
While deliberating on his next political ambition, Ohakim stated that it would be his desire to complete his tenure as provided by the constitution, but noted that his party’s decision was paramount as he had promised to abide by any decision taken by his party.
“I will seek the authorisation of my party in line with the constitution to continue my tenure, but that does not mean I will not abide by my party’s decision, I am not desperate, my ambition is to fly my party’s flag.
“I will be a better human being now, those party members who voted for me, it is only me that can assuage their suffering, I have not declared but only consulting,” Ohakim stated.
Source: Thisday
