Chaos as govt, police abort Okorocha’s visit to Aba

A  large number of policemen yesterday cordoned off the Aba-Owerri, Federal Highway in Aba, Abia State following speculations that the Governor of Imo State, Owella Rochas Okorocha, was due to arrive the commercial city on a planned civic reception in his honour by the Nigeria Rescue Missionaries, Aba State chapter.

Five police patrol vans with registration numbers NPF 4442 C, NPF 4417 C, NPF 5413 C, NPF 4405 C and NPF 2279 C, were stationed in front of Abia Polytechnic’s gates, Brass junction and PZ junction respectively.

Erected canopies which were to be used for the aborted programme were seen turned upside down at the polytechnic pavilion’s field.

Despite the heavy presence of police and officers of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) who were on hand to handle the traffic gridlock outside the school gate, students who were writing their second semester were seen moving freely inside the institution’s premises.

Police Public Relations Officer, Geoffrey Ogbonna in a telephone interview, said the police were there to provide security and to forestall any breach of peace.

Ogbonna urged Aba residents to go about their lawful businesses as there was no cause for alarm.

Reacting to the development, the Deputy Chief of Staff to Imo State Government, Chinedu Offor said, “It is a shock that what is clearly a religious event organised by Southeast and Southsouth pastors to mark the birthday of Owelle Rochas Okorocha. All prior approvals, permits and payments were obtained by the organisers of the event.”

He asked, “Is Okorocha coming to Aba to canvass for votes? Is he coming to Aba to become the governor of Abia State? A similar event took place in Ibadan without a hitch. Despite this unwarranted action, Gov. Okorocha is appreciative of the efforts of Nigerians to mark his birthday and prays for showers of blessings to all those who planned the event.”

In a press statement released by the Chief Press Secretary to the Abia State Governor, Ugochukwu Emezue, defended the actions of the state government saying, “Abia State government will not be drawn into unnecessary matters with the Imo State government over a mundane issue that has to do with the purported birthday event of Governor Rochas Okorocha in Aba.

“What Okorocha planned to do in Abia Polytechnic, Aba was to launch his pet project called Imo Rescue Mission without permission from the school authorities.”