A peaceful protest staged by some indigenes of Imo state
against the state governor, Rochas Okorocha, was
reportedly disrupted by officers of the Nigeria Police Force,
Imo state command. The protest which is expected to last
one week, was called for by members of the Imo People’s
Action for Democracy, IPAD, who are aggrieved over
the manner in which the state governor, Rochas Okorocha,
has been managing the affairs of the state.
The protesters say their rally is to among other things,
highlight the poor quality leadership of the governor, the
erection of statues for African leaders, appointment of his
sister, Ogechi Ololo as the commissioner for Happiness and
Purpose Fulfillment as well as the unpaid salaries and
pensions of workers in the state.
Coordinator of the group, Aku Obidinma, in an intrview with
Premiumtimes, said they had written to the police and the
State Security Service SSS to sought for protection but it
was only the SSS that gave them approval for the rally to
hold. He said the Police had asked them to postpone
the rally till after the yuletide but they refused.
Aku said while himself and his group were in a procession
this morning, police officers ambushed them and then fired
tear gas at them. Obidinma alleged that some of the
protesters were beaten up by the police and their placards
seized.
The coordinator of the protesters vows that the group will
continue to call out the state governor who they believe is
leading below expectation.