Protesters numbering about 3,000 on Tuesday took over the major roads of the capital city of Owerri to register their grievances over what they perceived as an injustice against the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere, by State House of Assembly through trumped-up charges aimed at impeaching the Deputy Governor.

The protesters had taken over the streets of Owerri as early as 6.00am, chanting various songs in protest, accusing Governor Rochas Okorocha of the state of masterminding what they termed as kangaroo charges against his Deputy.

They maintained that Madumere was innocent of the charges being levelled against him by members of Imo State House of Assembly.

They also described State Assembly as the worst Imo has ever had, calling them mere rubber stamp in the hand of Okorocha, stating that he (Okorocha) controls the House as his personal estate, without reference to the feelings and aspirations of the citizenry.

They also carried placards with various inscriptions such as, “Okorocha leave Madumere alone; Okorocha must you foist your son-in-law on Imo people; We are in Democracy not in ‘familiocracy’; We say no to Okorocha’s third term agenda; APC will not accept imposition of family candidate; NWC rise up before we lose Imo to PDP; We appeal to President Buhari to intervene in Imo situation”.

The protest, which brought vehicular and human movements to a standstill, saw workers abandoning their vehicles to walk long distances to their places of work.

Traders were also not spared in the agony as major streets such as Wetheral, Okigwe road, Assumpta Avenue, Tetlow road and other adjoining streets were shut down as a result of the surging crowd.

•Excerpted from Tribune

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