By Jude Opara
Hundreds of protesters from Ohaji/Egbema LGA of Imo State on Thursday barricaded the Government House over what they described as undemocratic moves by a former Minister of State for Education, and one time Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Goodluck Nanah Opiah, to scuttle long time agreement that exists within the political blocs that make up the local council.
The protesters accused the former minister of attempting to impose his choice candidate for the chairmanship seat of the LGA, saying that the move if allowed would truncate the zoning arrangement which has been long established among the components of the council.
They insisted that it was the turn of Awarra Court Area to produce the next chairman of the local council, saying that trying to use the Sole Administrator of the Local Government, Princewill Onyeaju, to manipulate the process would be resisted.
Speaking during the protest, the spokesperson of the group, Mr Lucky Onyiri told newsmen that the people of Awarra Court Area were protesting against Opiah’s activities in Ohaji.
He said, “Today the good people of Awarra Court Area carried out a massive protest against the evil activities of Rt Goodluck Nanah Opiah in Ohaji oil and gas rich Kingdom.
“He tried to manipulate the chairmanship election which was earlier zoned to Awarra Court Area by Chief Charles Orie with other stakeholders of Ohaji/Egbema including Prof. Vitalis Nwulu who later turned around to be used by Rt Goodluck Nana Opia.
“He manipulated the newly appointed SOLAD of Ohaji/Egbema to appoint new PGs without due process because he wants to control the Oil and Gas business in the area.”
Representatives of the state government assured the protesters that the governor would respond positively to their demands.
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