Insecurity: Resign now, World Igbo Congress tells Uzodimma

Imo state governor, Hope Uzodimma. Photo//facebook/officialasiwajubat

Direct your grievances to appropriate authorities, Imo govt fires back
The World Igbo Congress (WIC) has asked the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, to resign his position over the killing of 14 youths in Awo-Omamma and the shutting of Ozisa 96.1 FM allegedly by his government.

In a statement made available to The Guardian, yesterday, the Houston, United States of America-based congress described the massacre of the 14 Otulu citizens, who were reportedly returning from a traditional wedding in Awo-Omamma, Oru East Local Council of the state, as disheartening and uncalled for.

While residents of Awo-Omamma claimed that Ebubeagu security outfit carried out the massacre on Sunday, July 17, 2022, the state government insisted the Department of State Services (DSS) only neutralised bandits that were planning to cause mayhem the next day.

The statement signed by the Chairman of WIC, Prof. Anthony Ejiofor, and Public Relations Officer (PRO), Basil Onwukwe, threatened to commence the process of recall and impeachment, if need be, throughout the state, should the House of Assembly members object.

According to the group, the characterisation of the victims as bandits offends the sensibilities of the Igbo at home and in the diaspora, who have watched Uzodimma’s style of governance closely, from inception till date, and see its unmistakable anti-Igbo stand in everything.

It noted that the ultimata issued by the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) and other groups, calling for the governor’s immediate resignation over these killings and the dismantling of Ebubeagu, which it described as “an ill-motivated and ill-intentioned security outfit not belonging to the Igbo.”

BUT the state government has advised the congress to direct its feelings to the security agencies and the NBC.

Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser to the Governor, Oguwike Nwachuku, in reaction, urged WIC to “stop creating the impression it was benefitting from the conspiracy of a few politically interested fellows, who have sworn to destabilise and distract Uzodimma’s government and thereby deny Imo people the benefits of development.”