Majority of the people of Mbaise has reacted to the rumours making the rounds that Governor Rochas Okorocha has finalized plans to relocate the permanent site of Imo State University to Uvuru in Aboh Mbaise LGA.
Speaking on this recent development, most Mbaise indigenes noted that the governor -could not have pledged to relocate the University to Mbaise because it had already been located at the Uvuru site by the first civilian governor of Old Imo State, late Chief Sam Mbakwe Ph.D and affirmed by the immediate past governor Dr. Ikedi Ohakim.
According to Nze Joe Njoku, a community leader from Obohia in Ahiazu Mbaise LGA,’ this issue of location and relocation of Imo State University, the only state owned University has been over politicised and we will not accept any masquerade dance in the market square in the name of relocation’.
The issue does not in any way elicit excitement because you cannot give us what has already been given to us over thirty three years ago and affirmed three years ago. What we are waiting for is for contractors to mobilize to site and make this laudable vision of our revered De Sam a reality’.
Lending his voice on the issue, the National President of Mbaise Youth Assembly, Prince Malachy Obaji noted that the youths of Mbaise should not be pushed to the wall on issues over the Imo State University relocation as according to him, ‘it has never been revoked and relocated to anywhere else except Mbaise’, wondering why Imo State government would be treating Mbaise Nation with such levity.
He therefore warned that any further attempt to make any political statement on Imo State University relocation would be treated as incitement and a call for chaos as it has been concluded long ago.
Another contributor, Arc. Ucheaka Obi from Uvuru in Aboh Mbaise LGA noted that politicians would want to seize this period of New Yam Festival in Mbaise and other festivities lined up for this period in Mbaise to visit the area and canvass one thing or the other but warned that what is not welcomed is any promise or pronouncement of relocating Imo State University to Mbaise as according to him, the issue has been overtaken by events.
