By Emenike Nwosu
The attempted forceful takeover of local government administration in Imo state by loyalists of former governor Rochas Okorocha has continued to elicit reactions from stakeholders. The National President of the Association of South East Town Unions, ASETU, Chief Emeka Diwe, has condemned the action and called on the law enforcement agents to leave no stone unturned in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Speaking on Tuesday in Owerri, Diwe, who also is the President-General of Orluzurumee, said it was unacceptable for political leaders to unleash thugs on state institutions. He added that the takeover of the local government administrations across the state by persons reportedly acting on the instruction of Okorocha was a treasonable act. He further warned that Imo people would no longer tolerate the disturbance of public peace under any guise by any politician in the state.
“How can a former governor instruct his followers to go and forcefully take over the local governments without recourse to the law? How could he be deceiving the public over a particularistic pronouncement made as far back as 2015 over an issue in Ekiti state? How does that concern Imo state? Which examples is he leaving for the young ones through this brazen violence, falsehood and malicious propaganda? Obviously, this has further revealed his destructive intentions for the state.
“As Town Unions, this gives us reason to worry. The bulk of people who these ousted destroyers of the state recruit for these dastardly acts are the poor and vulnerable people at the grassroots who for eight years were sunk deeper and deeper into poverty through the nefarious policies of this same past government,” Diwe lamented.
Continuing, the renowned Town Unionist said that, “It is now very clear that the democratic disposition of Governor Emeka Ihedioha is being put in overdrive trial by these unscrupulous politicians in Imo state. Our governor should know that he has the executive prerogative to invoke his powers to use the law enforcement agents to maintain order and peace. If anything goes amiss, he owes Imo people whose popular mandate he holds explanations,” Diwe stated.
He also called on parents to advise their children and wards against yielding themselves for use by politicians who mean only evil for them and the state, and assured Imo people that the dividends of democracy which they have begun to enjoy under Gov. Emeka Ihedioa through prompt payment of salaries and pensions, and massive infrastructural facelift, will be sustained incrementally.