Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha was shocked to bone marrows on Wednesday when fans and supporters of Heartland FC of Owerri jettisoned his usual pleasantries.
Venue was Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri and the occasion was the last home league between the home side Heartland FC against Oriental rivals, Rangers International of Enugu.
Okorocha’s sliding popularity was seriously put to test when his penchant for seeking applause from the crowd was shunned by the disappointed crowd.
For the first time in the history of the club fondly called Naze Millionaires, the Owerri-based side was involved in the murky waters of relegation of the Nigeria Professional Football League, (NPFL).
Immediately after the encounter which ended 2 1 in favour of Heartland FC guaranteeing their safety in the top flight league, the Governor in his usual manner attempted to dance to the gallery but was visited with a shocking response from the obvious angry supporters of the Naze Millionaires who instead of chanting the name of the Rescue Mission General, rather sang songs like “All we are saying, give us money” and “No more promises, we want actions”.
The attitude of the fans apparently was engineered by the well documented saga that has existed between the players and the government over the later’s refusal to attend adequately to the financial problems of the team which has been identified as the reason behind their misfortunes this season.
The Governor who was at that point granting interviews from Press men who wanted to get his thoughts on the match and the expected pronouncement concerning the players entitlements sensed the unpleasant reception from the crowd and quickly gave only his observation on the game including his happiness over the teams survival and quickly zoomed off to avoid more chantings from the already agitating fans to the dismay of every one.
