The dust is yet to settle over the Jacob Zuma statue in Owerri erected by Governor Rochas Okorocha. The United Labour Congress of Nigeria (ULC) has said the Governor should apologize to the people of Imo State for erecting the statue and naming a street in Owerri after Zuma while still owing workers salaries.
In a statement by its President, Joe Ajaero, the labour group the Governor’s actions have brought national shame and disgrace to the State
ULC described the honoring of Zuma by the governor as highly insensitive and contemptuous of not only the people of Imo State but also possessed the dangers to Nigeria if not roundly condemned and excoriated by well-meaning Nigerians.
It also called on the people of Imo State to demand a return of the money used in this ignoble project and march to the legislature to demand that the statue be pulled down.
Excepts of the statement reads:
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; either 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.
It has however being revealed that Governor Rochas Okorocha is ready to unveil more statues in Owerri, the state capital. The costs of erecting these statues has been put at a whopping N500 million
A picture has emerged online, showing that there are at least six more statues that have been erected alongside Zuma’s.
The identities of the people Okorocha is looking to “honour” is still unknown, as the statues were wrapped up in the flags of Nigeria, USA and other nations.