Imo: PDP tackles Uzodimma over N2. 1bn spent on Hajj, party

Uzodinma

The Peoples Democratic Party Imo State chapter has criticized the decision of the Hope Uzodimma-led administration to spend a whopping sum of N2.1bn on Muslim pilgrimage and hosting a party in celebration of airlifting of the pilgrims.

The party described the gesture as a wasteful venture, especially considering the worsening security challenges and economic hardship occasioned by spiraling inflation in the country.

This was contained in a statement released by its spokesman, Lancelot Obiaku, in Owerri, the State capital on Monday.

Obiaku stated that though PDP is not opposed to religious inclusion, there was no justification whatsoever for the government to squander over N2.1 billion of taxpayers’ money on such a programme for only 315 individuals, and organized an extravagant party to play host to the Vice President Senator KashimShettima, merely for the airlifting of the pilgrims going for Hajj.

He lamented that, it was more worrying and disturbing given that the event took place a day after armed assailants laid siege on Umuna and Okigwe communities in Onuimo LGA, killing at least 20 people, kidnapping others and setting over 22 vehicles ablaze, wondering why Uzodimma had not bothered at the level of mayhem and destructionin the state.

He accused Uzodimma of gross incompetence and demanded for his resignation.

The statement reads in part; “We completely condemn the fact that Governor Uzodimma often acts as though he is not an Imolite, consistently reluctant to offer leadership or express empathy over the harrowing challenges of insecurity, poverty, and lack of basic amenities confronting the people of Imo State.

“The menace of suspected Fulani terrorists in NgorOkpala should ordinarily have spurred the Governor into swift action, as the bloodthirsty criminals have turned the area into their stronghold.

“This adds to the grim narratives emerging from Okigwe, Orsu, Njaba, Onuimo, Oru West, and Orlu LGAs, where criminal elements have taken control of communities and continue to unleash terror on innocent citizens.