Former Governor of Imo State, Dr. Ikedi Ohakim, has disclosed that he once considered suicide in 2011 following a false accusation that he assaulted a Catholic priest.
Speaking during an interactive forum with youths in Owerri, Ohakim said the incident took a severe emotional toll on him, describing it as one of the darkest periods of his life.
He recounted how the baseless claim not only damaged his reputation but also left him battling deep personal anguish.
“When I first heard the rumour, I dismissed it. But when it started gaining traction in the media, including television stations, I became overwhelmed. At some point, I actually contemplated suicide.
“I can show you an air ticket for that day — I wasn’t even in Imo State when the rumour broke,” he added.
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Ohakim, has recounted how he was vindicated years after being falsely accused of slapping a Catholic priest—an allegation he said nearly drove him to take his life.
Speaking at a youth engagement session in Owerri, Ohakim revealed that the priest involved later confessed to Rev. Father Ejike Mbaka that the story was fabricated.
“Father Mbaka said on the pulpit that if you falsely accuse someone and later discover the truth, you should apologize. He did, and I forgave everyone involved,” Ohakim said.
Reflecting on the 2011 governorship election, the former governor claimed he won decisively but was removed through what he termed a “civilian coup.”
“I won clean and clear in 2011, but there was a civilian coup. Still, I accepted the outcome without bitterness,” he noted.
Ohakim also highlighted the achievements of his administration, particularly the Clean and Green initiative, which addressed environmental health, education, and climate change.
He said the programme transformed Imo into a tourism hub in Eastern Nigeria with an improved living environment.
He concluded by urging Nigerian youths to acquire practical skills to remain relevant in the modern world.
“As I sit here today, I’m a welder, sheet maker, fabricator, carpenter, and artist. In the 21st century, a person without a skill is like an animal in the bush,” he stated.
