Scores of leaders of various civil society organisations on Thursday stormed Owerri, the Imo State capital, demanding good governance, probity and due process from the state government.
The protesters, who said they were on a “peace walk” in the state capital, said that good governance was a right in a democracy.
Led by self-proclaimed President of All Frustrated Nigerians Mr. Charles Oputa, a.k.a. Charly Boy, the ‘peace walkers’ argued that Nigerians deserve better deals from governments at all levels.
With the theme, Na We Be Government, the protesters decried what they described as high level of poverty, insecurity, unemployment and infrastructural decay in Imo State.
Oputa, who spoke to reporters during the protest, said that citizens who keep mute during the time of injustice and bad governance are accomplices.
According to him, the people of Imo State had suffered neglect, bad governance, and various forms of intimidation.
Oputa, who hails from Oguta LGA of the state, said that the essence of the peace walk was to address the “issues of bad governance and infrastructural decay before a new government comes on board in the state on May 29.”
“This walk is for freedom. It is about inclusive government, raising the value of our people, demanding accountability, equity and fairness from all office holders at every level in Imo State.”
Some of the placards read, “Government must be accountable;” “Na we be government;” “Better standard of living;” “We demand for justice and equality;” “Nigeria must prosper.”
PUNCH