From Magnus Eze, Abuja and George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
Some concerned indigenes of Imo State, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to institute a judicial panel of inquiry into the role of some military personnel in the demolition of the Eke-Ukwu market, along Douglas Road, Owerri, at the weekend.
Some people died during the demolition.
The call on the president was in response to the deaths, allegedly by security men, who shot and killed some people during the demolition of the Owerri central market, including 10-year-old, Somtochukwu Igboanusi.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja, yesterday, the stakeholders also demanded that Governor Rochas Okorocha resign, due to what they termed “clearly established leadership incompetence and serial blunders on the most elemental duties of governance.”
Leader of the group, Chief Sam Obaji, who was flanked by former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Agency (NERC), Dr. Sam Amadi and Chairman, Dozie Owerri group, Chief Tony Anyadike, among others, urged members of the House of Assembly to, immediately, commence impeachment process, if the governor fail to resign.
Meanwhile, immediate past governor of the state, Chief Ikedi Ohakim has claimed Okorocha orchestrated last weekend’s demolition of the market to divert public attention from critical issues in the state.
This was even as he prayed for the repose of Ibeanusi’s soul. He frowned at the deployment of the military, who allegedly deployed live bullets against civilians.
In a statement he signed and circulated to newsmen, yesterday, Ohakim commended the people of Owerri Federal Constituency and the traders who remained law abiding in spite of the extreme provocation .
“I frown strongly at the deployment of military and use of live bullets against unarmed civilians during this act of impunity and illegality.
“I have joined well-meaning Nigerians in demanding to know who ordered the deployment of military against civilians in a civil matter, even when there is a subsisting court injunction granted by Justice S.I. Opara of the Imo state High Court.
“Imo people, and Nigerians, should recall that in my August 26, 2016, letter to governor Okorocha, I advised him, in unmistakable terms, against the demolition of the market.
“I drew the governor’s attention to the excruciating economic recession in the country, massive job losses in the state, the calamity of Mechanics Village demolition without compensation and alternative.
“In short, I told him that the timing was wrong and timing in leadership actions is of essence.”