*BY BEN UGWU*
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Imo State have reacted to what it described as “Governor Rochas Okorocha’s onslaught Against the people of Imo State and means of their livelihood”
In a statement by Damian Opara, Publicity Secretary of the party and made available to this medium, it described Okorocha’s action “as reprehensible, inhuman and repulsive aggression against the same people whom the Governor ate their akara (bean cake), drank their sachet water and hugged, prior to his election in 2011, is to say the least, beastly and unjustifiable”
The party said it is worrisome the manner the Okorocha government have brazenly pulled down and looted in broad day light the shops and business of traders, saying “it is more appalling when reports indicated that the Governor who is the Chief Security officer of the State in some instances, and in crude exhibition of raw power, supervised this wanton destruction of helpless and hapless Imo people’s businesses in this biting economic recession induced by the APC’s myopic and gross leadership incompetence”
On the taxi painting policy introduced by the State government, the PDP said such act is cruel.
“Is it not cruel to compel taxi owners to pay N70,000.00 to the state government for mere painting of their taxi cabs when on their own, they can use N35,000.00 for such purpose? Refusal to obey this dictatorial order immediately results in the taxi vehicle being impounded by government thugs unleashed everywhere in Owerri capital city.
“Even when they reluctantly comply, the common man and civil servants whose salaries have been slashed by 50% bear the brunt ultimately in form of astronomical hike in transport fares. The situation has even forced most taxi cab operators off the road, especially those who could not afford the wicked levy. This has in turn, compelled most Imolites to trek to and from their respective destinations, particularly, parents taking their children and wards to distant schools within the capital city. Yet, our governor does bart an eye lid” the statement stated.
It said never in the history of governance in Imo State or in any State has there been “ this kind of dictatorial democracy as in the case in Imo under Okorocha”.
It appealed to Imolites not to despair despair but to look onto God Almighty for their salvation and consolation.
