By Paul Chukwu
A governorship aspirant in the forthcoming general election in the state, Mr. Daniel Kanu, yesterday took governor Rochas Okorocha to the cleaners, describing him as “worse than a tyrant and undemocratic”.
Mr. Kanu’s outburst followed a reported directive allegedly issued by the governor to the relevant security agencies in the state to disallow the proposed 2million man march anniversary scheduled to hold this weekend at the Heroes square, Owerri.
When our correspondent visited the popular Heroes square, located at the Concord boulevard, Owerri, venue for the proposed rally, the arena was littered with remnants of structures, allegedly destroyed by agents of the state government.
Addressing news men, convener of the anniversary, Mr. Daniel Kanu, berated the Imo state governor, Rochas Okorocha, for what he called “his undemocratic and despotic style of leadership, where the fundamental human rights of the people are trampled upon, a sorry situation which is akin to military dictatorship”.
Mr. Kanu, who expressed disappointment at the attitude of the state government, as well as security agencies, disclosed that the group had obtained a permit from the office of the Inspector General of police, over a month ago to hold the peaceful rally, however described as unfortunate the decision of the Okorocha led administration to tinker with the wishes and freedom of the people.
Kanu who claimed that the ownership of the Heroes square belonged to him through a lease agreement, vowed to uphold and sustain the positive course of the group, which he said is anchored on educating and enlightening the Nigerian people to their rights towards a better Nigeria.
While dissociating his gubernatorial aspiration from the proposed anniversary rally, Mr. Daniel Kanu, maintained that the programme would hold as scheduled, as the rally posed no threat to the peace and security of the state.
Meanwhile, upon the orders of Governor Rochas Okorocha, officials of the Owerri City Development Authority OCDA have proceeded to mark the 9 storey building located within the Heroes Square premises, for demolition after the expiration of a grace period of 14 days.
It could be recalled that the said building had come into contention following the refusal of the Imo State Government to allow Quest Resources Consult, lease owners of the Heroes square property, to develop it. Mr Daniel Kanu, Chairman of Quest Resources Consult had displayed before a pool of journalists, documents showing payment of N20 million to the Imo State Government as lease agreement. The 9storey building marked for demolition is estimated at N300 million.
