The Imo State Government is at loggerheads at present with the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of one of its agencies over whether he actually resigned or his tenure was not renewed.
While Chief Charles Orie insisted he had thrown in the towel as the MD/CEO of Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC), Government maintained that his tenure was not renewed thus he could not have been said to have resigned.
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Orie had in a statement he personally signed addressed himself as MD/CEO of ISOPADEC while the state Commissioner for Information, Strategy and Public Orientation, Declan Emelumba addressed Orie as Chairman of the commission.
Orie made it clear that he had no problems with the state Governor Hope Uzodimma but that he chose to resign to enable him to prosecute his political ambition.
“This morning, I have decided to resign my position/appointment as the Managing Director/CEO of ISOPADEC.
“I have no problems with the Governor or Government of Imo State that prompted me to resign, it is not every political leader in Imo that has a political appointment.
“I remain APC political leader both in Ohaji/Egbema, Imo State and Nigeria and I am still working for Governor Hope Uzodinma…the Governor is more than a Governor to me. He is my friend and family member. I know very soon today social media will start spreading rumors and fake news”.
He expressed gratitude to top functionaries of the government who helped him in carrying out his assignment while in office.
But no sooner the news of his resignation was made public than Hon Emelumba countered him, saying he could not have resigned since his tenure was not renewed.
However, Emelumba addressed him as ‘erstwhile Chairman’ when Chief Orie has all along been addressed as MD/CEO before the new twist.
“The attention of the Imo State Government has been drawn to news circulating in the media space that the erstwhile Chairman of Imo State Oil Producing Communities Development Commission (ISOPADEC) resigned from his position.
“That information is false and misleading. Chief Charles Orie's tenure as chairman of the Commission had long expired, and His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, the Governor of Imo State, did not renew it.
“In that regard, he could not have resigned from a non-existent position since his tenure was not renewed.
“While the State Government has no issue with Chief Charles Orie, it is necessary to put the records straight so as not to mislead members of the public.
“The truth of the matter, therefore, is that Chief Charles Orie's tenure as chairman of ISOPADEC was not renewed. He, therefore, could not have resigned”.
