Opposition alleges rising kidnappings, killings across Imo, demands accountability on public funds
By Sophia Afolabi
The Imo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has criticised Governor Hope Uzodinma’s recent State of the State address, describing it as “deceitful, empty and disconnected from the realities on ground.”
The PDP, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Lancelot Obiaku, said the address delivered at the State House of Assembly failed to address the worsening security and economic situation in the state.
“There was nothing new in the speech. It was a recycled script from a year and a half ago, filled with make-believe stories and propaganda,” Obiaku said.
The party accused the governor of making false claims about improvements in security, even as several communities remain under siege by gunmen, kidnappers and suspected terrorists.
“It is shocking that the governor would claim to have overcome insecurity when places like Okigwe, Onuimo, Ihitte-Uboma, Oguta, Orlu, and Owerri West are battling frequent attacks,” Obiaku said.
He cited a recent incident in Ngor-Okpala where 26 passengers were kidnapped on May 6 along the Owerri-Aba road, with one person reportedly killed on the spot by the attackers. According to him, the whereabouts of the remaining victims remain unknown.
Obiaku also referenced a separate attack in Umuna, Okigwe LGA, on May 8, where unknown gunmen allegedly set over 20 trucks ablaze, razed shops and reportedly killed more than 20 people.
The PDP spokesperson further accused Uzodinma of ignoring the rising number of attacks in communities such as Agwa in Oguta LGA, Amakohia-Ubi in Owerri West, and parts of Avu, Obinze, and Okuku, where he claimed cases of kidnapping and ritual killings are on the rise.
He also faulted the governor for failing to disclose the state’s financial records.
“Governor Uzodinma did not tell Imo people how much the state has received in federal allocations, intervention funds or internally generated revenue over the last five years. Nor did he say how these funds were spent or which contractors handled the so-called projects,” the statement added.
Obiaku described the address as a “political jamboree” with no bearing on the real needs of the people.
“As always, the governor spent over an hour massaging his ego and listing unverifiable achievements. No accountability, no clear plan, no answers. It was a complete waste of time,” he added.
