How Okorocha's Aides Sponsored Thugs To Dehumanize Widows, Journalists

Information reaching 247ureports.com has revealed how the officials
of the Imo state government led by the commissioner for Information;
Chief Chidi Ibe and Youths and Sports counterpart, Kenneth Emelu,
mobilized thugs to assault widows who were on peaceful solidarity
protest against Gov. Rochas Okorocha's incessant attacks on the
Minister of State for Education, Prof. Viola Onwuliri over her recent
revelation of federal government projects in Imo State.

In the process the hapless widows under the auspices of Imo Widows
Association, Jesus Triumphant Widows Association and Amuzi Women
Association had a clash with some hoodlums hired by the Information
Commissioner and other aides of the governor.

The women numbering over 2000 arrived the Okigwe Roundabout, opposite
the Government House, Owerri as early as 8am singing solidarity songs
in support of President Goodluck Jonathan and Prof. Onwuliri, with the
following lyrics "leave our benefactor alone, she is not responsible
for the death of her husband, Jonathan should continue, "Onwuliri is
our pride and princess, we stand by Onwuliri".

However, unknown to the women, hired thugs were laying ambush with
the intention of unleashing mayhem on the harmless widows. It was
alleged that soon after the widows had assembled at the designated
venue the hoodlums began to unleash terror on the protesting women
leaving five of them lying critical ill at the Federal Medical Centre
Owerri, FMC and the NTA cameraman beaten to stupor while his camera
was confiscated by the commissioner for information, Chidi Ibe. The
women alleged that the thugs carted away their bags.

The act which was allegedly coordinated by the Commissioner of
Information, Chief Chidi Ibeh and Commissioner for Youths and Sports,
Mr. Kenneth Emelu, and the Chairman of State Universal Basic
Education, SUBEB Mrs. Getrude Oduka, left many women also sustaining
various degrees of injuries.

One of the wounded women, Mrs. Margret Kwusi from Oguta Local
Government Area, narrated her ordeal in the hands of the hoodlums. "As
we were praying at the venue for peace to continue to reign in the
state and the nation generally, the hoodlums descended on us flogging
us mercilessly with canes which resulted in bodily injuries among many
of our members."

Speaking, the leader of the group, Mrs. Josephine Ibewike, stated
that they on peaceful procession in protest of the unfounded
accusation leveled against their benefactor which they found to be
very repulsive and decide to let the public know the truth in this
respect.

"We embarked on the peaceful protest to inform the State Government
that Prof. Viola Onwuliri is a good woman who cannot harm a fly talk
less of killing the husband, she has been assisting us through the
instrumentality of her office,"

"I have been a widow for 15 years and I know how painful it is to
live without a bread winner. Accusing a woman who the world knows died
in plane crash of killing the husband is absurd."

According to her, philanthropists all over the world practice same
with human face and detest a situation where a situation where people
tell lies in the name of philanthropy.
--247ureports