Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday accused the governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, and a former governor of the State, Rochas Okorocha, of turning the state into a war zone.
In a statement released on Monday, the PDP spokesperson in the state, Ogubundu Nwadike, said that the clash between the supporters of Okorocha and Uzodinma on Sunday at Royal Spring Estate, Owerri, was “disgusting”.
The statement read: “The Peoples Democratic Party in Imo State, strongly condemns the horrific violent and bloody gun battle which recently occurred in the State between supporters of Senator Rochas Okorocha and supporters Governor Hope Uzodimma, where they were engaged in a bizarre indiscriminate shooting over the sealing by the Government, of Royal Spring Palm Estate Hotel, in the Akachi area of Owerri, the state capital.
“It is highly disgusting that the present APC Government in the State has turned Imo into a terror zone and theatre of war and conflict. In recent times, Imolites have had the most tragic and excruciating experience ranging from the recent military invasion of parts of Orlu and Orsu Local Government Areas, which caused insecurity and other forms of gruesome attacks, leading to the breakdown of peace and order, and loss of lives and properties.
“The recent violence perpetrated by supporters of Senator Rochas Okorocha and Governor Hope Uzodimma has stirred up tension and apprehension in the state thereby toppling the atmosphere of saturated peace and tranquility.
“It is indeed, highly despicable that under the present administration, Imo State which used to be the center and cynosure of public peace and orderliness has turned into a jungle of terror where hooliganism, rascality, thuggery, and abuse of the dignity of human peace have become the order of the day. The APC Government in the state has created a Frankenstein monster that haunts the relative peace and social order in the state, Imolites are now living under fear and apprehension and can no more sleep with their two eyes closed.
“It is most disheartening that our dear state has become a laughing stock and object of mockery and caricature due to the present psychopathic leadership which is creating unnecessary tension and also mortgaging the peace of the state.
“We wish to add that since the inception of the present APC government in the state, Imo State has not experienced any modicum of peace, rather the State has continued to wallow and dangle on the debris of hopelessness, misgovernance and massive developmental haemorrhage. Rather than tormenting and unleashing terror on Imolites, APC Government in the state should begin to champion a harmonized and defined strategy for leadership excellence and good governance.”