These are not best of moments for the Deputy Governor of Imo state, Prince Eze Madumere. The second-in-command in the state would have shelved his return to the state after medical treatment and brief holiday abroad if he had premonition of what would befall him his community last weekend.
In his bid to reach out to youths of his area on activities of government, Madumere received a rude shock and was embarrassed when aggrieve youths of Ihitte Mbieri and Obazu booed him and shouted glorifying applauses of opposing parties during an interactive session at the respective communities.
Apart from boos and jeers targeted at the Deputy Governor, unprintable invectives were poured on him over alleged inability to effectively represent the interest of Mbaitolu LGA in the rescue Mission government, which he is part of the pilot.
To herald the event, paid town criers went across the concerned communities announcing the meeting between youths and the Deputy Governor.
According to our reporter that monitored the events, the Deputy Governor who stormed the event at Amaulu Mbieri primary school building with about seven vehicles and few aides initially received kudos for attracting a magistrate court and police post to the community, but was at the receiving end of the youth’s backlash during questions and answers session.
After opening prayers by Eze of ihitte Mbieri, Eze G.C Duru, the Deputy Governor requested for questions concerning the present administration. Before informing them to nominate and forward names of ten graduates for immediate employment, Prince Madumere assured them that he would invite and ride with the state governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha on the Hardel Orji-Mbieri and Umuonyeali roads which they complained of its bad state adding that contract for the road is coming. On IMSU admission, the Deputy Governor promised to facilitate the admission of willing prospective candidates.
The event which started on a good note with the youths conducting themselves in proper manner however turned sour when the Deputy Governor sporting pink-colour shirt and black trouser started his closing remarks. The youths began to murmur and jeer at Madumere when he mentioned that he is joining his boss, Okorocha to APC. According to him, “any where my oga, the governor is, that is where I am. So we are in APC”.
At this moment, the enraged youths who complained that no refreshments and transport fare were offered at the meeting chorused PDP and chanted “Lets Do More” slogan.
At that point the youths moved outside to form a line for purposes of demanding money from the Deputy Governor and errected a human wall against the movement of the number two citizen of the state . When the youths blocked his exit, it took the intervention of some youths led Okey Onyema (JK) who cleared the way for him to step out before they further stretched their hands demanding for money.
The boos continued when the Deputy Governor turned his back at the youths and jettisoned their plea for new year packages before his convoy speed off.
Same scenario was witnessed in Obazu Mbieri where the youths embarrassed the Deputy Governor and abruptly disrupted the meeting before order was restored. Madumere however addressed the youths.
Reacting on the matter in online message, the media aide to the Deputy Governor Uche Onwuchekwa said” Even though His Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Imo State feels differently from what people had thought should have been the case. It is democracy where all shades of people despite their make-ups whether below expected human civility or not. For me, it is already been spread and of course with some dangerous inputs coming from quarters already known to us.
What happened yesterday in Obazu when His Excellency, Deputy Governor of Imo State visited to talk with Obazu youths was rather an irresponsible show of shame.
We rather faced a few individuals who had ganged up by the corner of the gathering making the loudest noise while His Excellency, Prince Eze Madumere was making to address them. There were shouts of no good road.
Prince Madumere explained to them that the road in question had been awarded by Rescue Mission Government but from the blues, the FERMA contractors emerged saying they had been detailed to work on that road. Of course, the Rescue Mission Government’s Contractors left the site for the exclusive directive. Trust them, that Road was abandoned by the FERMA abracadabra contractors as they disappeared into the thin air.
Again, Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere it was who took time out to pay a visit to the Managing Director of FERMA. Secondly, this is a road that started from Nworoubi to Orie Mbieri and another to begin from Orji to Orie Mbieri. FERMA it was that said they had been detailed to handle from Orji to Orie Mbieri and since their disappearance, the Imo State Government has re-awarded that road, which Imo Deputy said will start in less than three weeks
“Prince Eze Madumere in his words said, I have not come here to run a campaign. I have come to talk with my brothers and to know the areas of concern to them. It is supposed to be an informal interactive session with the youths. You all are aware you did not invite me. I am doing this on my own. I had met with the youths in Achi, Ezi ome, Amaulu andI feel, it would be rather not be justice-able if I fail to do same with Umu Nne m in Obazu”.
