Reports from Owerri, the Imo State capital say there is a total shut down to the extent that no one, not even an animal, ventured into the streets, particularly the routes where President Muhammadu Buhari plied today during his official visit.
It was a big embarrassment to the President of Fulani extraction as none of the people he ruled from the other side of the divide came out to say “Mr President You’re Welcome” or cheer him as they did to others before him.
Our Reporter on ground said despite the scanty rentals by Governor Hope Uzodinma, the President was like a General without a single soldier.
Our Reporter reports, “He, the President, walked to the dais with his ‘oversized shoes and big trousers’ beaming with smiles that were not returned as he observed the ceremonial Guard of Honour by a detachment of the military.
“He later joined Hope Uzodinma who, with few others, led him to a bullet proof car at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri about 10am. They drove through the Mbaise-Emekuku-Egbu-Owerri road via Whedral Road to the Government House, Owerri without the usual cheers for a visiting President.
“At the Douglas House, scanty crowd laid in wait for the number one citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to listen to him during the Stakeholders’ meeting. But he later left with his host and motley crowd to commission the must advertised Hope Uzodinma projects.
“Right now, he’s commissioning the projects and he is doing it with few people around government circles, visible amongst them are his host, Governor Hope Uzodinma
“Everybody in Imo State is boycotting it. For now, I’ve not sighted the likes of Rochas Okorocha, immediate past Governor of Imo State, Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, Hon Emeka Ihedioha and other dignitaries of note.
“Journalists, except those that came with the President, are barred from covering the event. It’s like a cult thing, we’re watching it from a distance”, he concluded.
Uche Nwosu is a two time Shell Petroleum PLC award winner in the year 2000;
He won the Shell Award on Investigative Journalism and Environmental Cleanliness.
