Mayhem averted as Okorocha's supporters, Mbaise youths clash

Scores of security personnel present at the 2014 New Yam Festival of
Mbaise people had a hectic time at the weekend, in stopping what could
have degenerated to a full scale war between the supporters of
Governor Rochas Okorocha and Mbaise youths.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Deputy Speaker, Chief Emeka
Ihedioha, who chaired the event, reminded the Governor of the palpable
lack of state government presence in Mbaise.

He pointed out that "the major projects in Mbaise are those executed
by the Federal Government", adding that "as a matter of expediency, it
is expected that you (Okorocha) will hand over the reins of state
administration in 2015, so we can help out."

Responding, an obviously angry Governor said: "There is nobody in Imo
PDP that is my match in an electoral contest. My three years in office
is more productive than the 12 years spent in Imo by the PDP. Imo
people have rejected PDP because PDP is worse than the Ebola virus".

The booing multiplied when Okorocha said he had laid the foundation
for a campus of the Imo State University to be sited in Aboh Mbaise/
Ngor Okpala federal constituency.

The crowd became uncontrollable when the confusion quickly degenerated
into a free for all between Okorocha's supporters and Mbaise youths,
while the Governor was whisked away into safety before the unveiling
of the yam barn and cutting of the new yam.

Speaking to newsmen at the scene of the near ugly incident, the
Foreign Affairs Minister 1, Professor Viola Onwuliri, who represented
President Goodluck Jonathan during the ceremony, lamented that "from
what transpired here, it is evident that the Governor was not
interested in the festival but came to create confusion and derail the
event"

It was the considered opinion of the Minister that "since the Governor
assumed office in 2011, he has never attended the Iri ji Mbaise until
this one that precedes the election year".

Continuing, Professor Onwuliri said: "This is not the ground for
venting personal animosities. He even left before the actual ceremony
began. He just brought trouble to the event and this is an
embarrassment to the state and its people. I am positive that by 2015,
we will all have a chance to redress this anomaly".

Vanguard