GELE AGBAI, Owerri
A group, Imo Transparency International (ITI) has accused Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma of taking actions capable of jeopardizing democratic governance in the state.
The group in a statement signed by Festus Ahumaraezeama, claimed that the governor was subverting democracy with the active connivance of the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Nasiru Mohammed.
Ahumaraezeama expressed outrage at the stoppage of a summit it organized in Owerri, the state capital on Wednesday, by the police at the behest of the state governor.
According to him, participants had arrived at the venue preparatory to take off when stern-looking policemen stormed the venue and ordered everyone to vacate.
He added that in addition to the policemen, thugs also stormed the venue in buses to find out whether the organizers complied with the directive of the police.
He therefore appealed to President Muhamadu Buhari and Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to monitor events closely in Imo State under Gov. Uzodinma’s watch with a view to calling him to order.
Ahumaraezeama insisted that things were getting out of hand under Gov. Uzodinma, stressing that if a harmless summit could not be allowed to hold in the state in an open place, then democracy was at risk.
He noted that freedom of expression and gathering thrived in the state under the eight-year rule of Owelle Rochas Okorocha, adding that in spite of criticisms, President Buhari has not clamped down on any opposition figure.
Ahumaraezeama submitted that the incumbent Commissioner of Police was not helping matters as he seems to be working in complicit with the governor to lay a siege on the state.
