There was tension on Wednesday in Owerri, the Imo State capital, as officers from the police command forced organizers of a summit in honor of former Governor Rochas Okorocha to stop the program.
The summit was organized to highlight the achievements of Senator Okorocha, who represents Imo West.
The program tagged: ‘Imo Good Governance Summit, was organized by IMO Transparency Group International.
The summit was to hold at Immaculate Hotel, Port Harcourt Road, Owerri, before rifle-wielding policemen, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of New Owerri Police Division, dispersed the delegates.
The DPO said he was implementing an order from “above” not to allow the summit to hold.
The action caused tension in Owerri, as the supporters of the ex-governor, who had gathered for the event, insisted on holding the summit.
Our correspondent saw Okorocha’s ex-Information Commissioner Chidi Ibe arguing with the DPO why a program that was approved should be stopped on the day it was to hold.
Our correspondent heard Ibe telling the delegates that he would meet Police Commissioner Nasiru Muhammed on the issue.
It was learned that while the police stopped the pro-Okorocha’s summit, a similar program organized in favor of Governor Hope Uzodinma, at Villa Garden Hotel, Owerri, continued uninterrupted.
Briefing reporters, Okorocha’s spokesman Sam Onwuemeodo alleged that the police commissioner stopped the summit on the order of the governor.
Onwuemeodo, who urged Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu to monitor the activities of the CP, said democracy was under threat in the state.
He said: “The CP has stopped our summit. Democracy is under threat in Imo State. The IGP should monitor the activities of the CP. He is here to serve the people of Imo State, not the governor or the people at the Government House.”
Police spokesman Orlando Ikeokwu said the summit was initially stopped because of the intelligence received.
He, however, said the organizers had been given a go-ahead to continue with the summit.
Thenationonlineng.net