A three million man march kicked off in Owerri, Imo State capital. The march is staged by a group named Imo Progressive Youths in collaboration with several groups in the state. The Solidarity March is staged and organized by an aide of Imo State Governor, Mr. Jeff Nwoha who heads the state environmental agency, ENTRACO.
The aim of the March, according to the organizers is to show support, solidarity and appreciation to Imo State Governor for his development strides in the state and for President Muhammadu Buhari.
An anti government protest spearheaded by a former Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Kelechi Nwagwu also suspended by the latter on Monday.
Nwagwu had lamented over the biting hardship among the Imo State citizenry, citing non payment of pensions to pensioners and irregular payment of workers salaries as reason for staging the anti government protest.
Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha through a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemedo, had urged the anti government protesters to go ahead with the protest. He promised to host the protesters at Government House, Owerri to allow them air their grievances. He also accused the organizers of the anti government protest as agents of the PDP.
The PDP in Imo State replied. In a statement signed by Damian Opara, Publicity Secretary, the party said it had no hand in the planned anti government protest. It said Hon. Nwaguw had left the PDP and a member of Okorocha’s All Progressive Congress.
Nwagwu operating under the aegis of Advocacy For War Against Corruption Initiative later retreated from holding the anti government protest saying he cannot go ahead with the protest citing security concerns.
A youth group, Imo Youth Platform had joined the fray by petitioning the Imo State Commissioner of Police and the State Director of SSS to intervene in the matter.
