Group Lashes Out Gov. Okorocha, Obasanjo Over Jacob Zuma In Imo

Group Lashes Out Gov. Okorocha, Obasanjo Over Jacob Zuma In Imo

A civil society organisation, the Civil Society Network Against Corruption, on Sunday berated the Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, for playing host to the President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma.

The group, in a statement posted on the Facebook page of its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, condemned Okorocha for not only directing an Imo monarch to confer a traditional title on Zuma but also unveiling a “giant” statue of the South African leader “in a conspicuous place in Owerri.”

CSNAC, which noted that Zuma had been indicted for corruption in South Africa, expressed strong displeasure at the heroic treatment given to him by Okorocha, describing the governor’s gesture as an embarrassment to the All Progressives Congress, which is fighting corruption.

It said it was unconscionable that Okorocha would treat Zuma to such a lavish celebration, when the citizens of his country were displeased with him over alleged corruption and were demanding his resignation.

The group said it was particularly miffed that Okorocha allowed Zuma to address a group of selected secondary school pupils and other young people in Imo.

It wondered whether by so doing Okorocha was celebrating corruption, since “Zuma has been found guilty of corruption by courts in South Africa and has been ordered to refund the $500,000.00 stolen from the public treasury to expand his private house to accommodate his many wives.”

CSNAC said, “Is Governor Okorocha not aware that Mr. Zuma has also been indicted for allowing an Indian family to influence the appointment of his cabinet members?

“In asking President Zuma to address officials of the Imo State Government, is Governor Okorocha not aware that the people of South Africa are currently demanding the resignation of a leader who has allegedly brought shame and dishonour to the country of Nelson Mandela?

“Is the APC governor not aware that South Africans are marching on the streets to demand ‘Zuma Must Go’ over his corrupt practices?”

The group said the APC-led Federal Government should have cautioned Okorocha and advised him “not to celebrate corruption,” stressing that the governor must tender a public apology to Nigerians.

CSNAC also lashed out at ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, for receiving Zuma in Imo.