By Uzoma Akobundu
Protesters
Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State got jittery and panicky on Monday following the seven day planned protest by civil society groups in the state to protest the bad leadership his administration has brought to the people.
The Imo Peoples Action for Democracy (IPAD) protest was called to register the feeling of Imo indigenes over the poor manner Okorocha has ruled the state.
A coalition of CSOs served notice to the government and the police and urged the Chris Ezike –led Police leadership in Imo to provide them with security throughout the duration of the peaceful rally.
But fearing that the impact of the rally could make nonsense of his almost seven years of administration, Okorocha was said to have directed the police to use maximum force on the protesters, and they did by deploying “Operation show of Force” when the protesters gathered on Wethedral Road by Emmanuel college roundabout on Monday.
However, the organisers have resolved to stage another rally early next year to be called Operation Rochas Must Go.”
Following the forceful stoppage of the rally, one of the organisers, the Igbo National Council (INC), issued a statement to explain their frustration.
The statement signed by Chilos Godsent said: “The Igbo National Council (INC) wishes to express her displeasure and disappointment on the naked, brutal and reckless use of force to disperse the Imo Peoples Action for Democracy (IPAD) organized “Occupy Imo Peaceful Rally” by the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) at the order of the Imo State Commissioner of Police – CP Chris Ezike in conspiracy with Governor Anayo Rochas Okorocha on Monday, 18th December 2017 in Owerri Imo State.
“At the early hours of Monday, 18th December 2017, over one hundred anti-government protesters gathered at the Wethdral Road roundabout by Emmanuel College Owerri been the starting point of the Occupy Imo Peaceful Rally.
“Within thirty minutes of the peaceful rally, Nigerian Police numbering over one hundred which had besieged the location since 5 am moved against the protesters and ordered that the protest should stop. When we asked to know why, one of the police men on plain dress told us that the Imo State Commissioner of Police had instructed them to stop the rally on the ground that no Police Permission was granted for the Rally.
“Why the organizers of the rally were discussing with some of the Police, a team of dreaded looking Police men moved against the protesters and forcefully dispossessed us of our Banners, Placards, Anayo Rochas Okorocha statue and other protest materials and also physically assaulted some leading members of the protest which include but not limited to, Hon Uche Onyeaguocha – former member of Federal House of Representatives and leading civil Rights activist in Nigeria, Chilos Godsent – President of Igbo National Council (INC)m Barr Che Oyinatunmba – Spoke person of the Imo Mass Movement (IMM), Aku Obidinma – President of Imo Billie Initiative and Coordinator of IPAD, Anthony Osuoha – CEO of CRUX, Mrs. Marjorie Ezihe-Osuoha – Secretary of IPAD and many other activists.
INC noted that this morning, the Governor of Imo State and the Imo State Commissioner of Polioce has launched “Operation Show of Force” which saw over one hundred heavily armed military men, over two hundred heavily armed police men, DSS, Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps etc patrolling major strets of Owerri.
“Consequent upon the above, the Igbo National Council (INC), rose from an emergency meeting this afternoon and resolved as follows:
“That INC has passed a Vote of No Confidence on Governor Anayo Rochas Okorocha and CP Chris Ezike – the Imo State Commissioner of Police.
“That INC will launch Operation Rochas Must Go from January 2018.
“That the Inspector General of Police (IGP) should immediately demote and redeploy CP Chris Ezike before he cause avoidable anarchy in Imo State.”
Meanwhile, Andrew Enwerem, the spokesperson of the command told Premium Times that the protesters did not have the permission to protest.
“The duty of police is to ensure security of lives and property, if they found themselves in friction with police that is not out of place. Teargas is meant for human beings and not meant for animals. Before you protest you must get permission to March otherwise that will amount to unlawful assembly.”