A planned civic reception that was to be held at Abia Polytechnic in honour of Governor Rochas Okorochas orgnized by Christian clerics under the aegis of Nigeria Rescue Missionaries was cut short by police.
Police patrol vans with registration numbers NPF 4442 C, NPF 4417 C, NPF 5413 C, NPF 4405 C and NPF 2279 C, were positioned in front of Abia Polytechnic’s gates, Brass junction and PZ junction respectively.
Canopies to be used for the event were also upturned. Speaking on the development, Abia Police Public Relations Officer, Geoffrey Ogbonna said the police were there to keep things peaceful.
Deputy Chief of Staff to Imo State Government, Chinedu Offor said, “It is a shock that what is clearly a religious event organised by Southeast and Southsouth pastors to mark the birthday of Owelle Rochas Okorocha. All prior approvals, permits and payments were obtained by the organisers of the event.”
He continued, “Is Okorocha coming to Aba to canvass for votes? Is he coming to Aba to become the governor of Abia State? A similar event took place in Ibadan without a hitch. Despite this unwarranted action, Gov. Okorocha is appreciative of the efforts of Nigerians to mark his birthday and prays for showers of blessings to all those who planned the event.”
Chief Press Secretary to the Abia State Governor, Ugochukwu Emezue, defended the actions of the state government saying, “Abia State government will not be drawn into unnecessary matters with the Imo State government over a mundane issue that has to do with the purported birthday event of Governor Rochas Okorocha in Aba.
“What Okorocha planned to do in Abia Polytechnic, Aba was to launch his pet project called Imo Rescue Mission without permission from the school authorities.”