The United Labour Congress of Nigeria (ULC) has condemned the statue of South AfricaPresidentJacob Zuma erected in Owerri by Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha.

In a statement on Tuesday, ULCPresident Joe Ajaero called for the immediate removal of the statue sayingit was wrong for the Governor to use taxpayers' money to carry out such project.

He also demanded an immediate refund of the money.

The statement read in part: “We are not against honouring great men and women who have contributed positively to the development of the state to encourage them to do more. But we know that whatever must have informed the choice of Jacob Zuma at this time must be everything but altruistic and patriotism.

“How he became a Nigerian or Imo State champion cannot be explained and beats our imagination. Zuma is not a Nigerian patriot, contributed nothing to the Nigerian project and the Imo State effort at development.

“He is not Shehu Shagari, Sam Mbakwe, Awolowo or Zik of Africa; neither is he any of those patriots from Imo State or other parts of Nigeria who are well-deserving of such honour and who have not been honoured.

“He definitely does not deserve a statue in Imo State, talk less of naming a street after him.” (TV360 Nigeria)