Nigerians have blasted the Governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha for erecting a giant statue in honour of President Jacob Zuma of South Africa in the state.
President Jacob Zuma of South Africa meets with Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state in Owerri
Governor Rochas Okorocha has come under severe criticism following his decision to erect a statue in honour of President Jacob Zuma of South Africa in Owerri, Imo state capital. The governor unveiled the statue in the presence of the South African president and other dignitaries in a ceremony.
Nigerians have criticized the move saying that Zuma has done nothing for the country to deserve such an honour. Some others lambasted the governor over the timing for such an honour at a time when numerous Nigerians have been arbitrarily killed by policemen in South Africa with the President remaining silent over such atrocious acts.
The Jacob Zuma statue in Imo state
Criticizing the move, vocal analyst and Professor of English at Carleton University, Pius Adesanmi wrote: "President Jacob Zuma in Nigeria, awarded chieftaincy title in Imo. Wrong timing, wrong choice of foreign head of state to honour. He should have been taken to the graves of Nigerians murdered by South African police.
There's been a resurgence of such killings of Nigerians by SA police recently. Mr. Zuma has not said a word but I don't blame him. If a foreign state suspects that the ordinary Nigerian citizen is of little value to the Nigerian state... well, you handle a man's calabash the way he handles it himself."
On Twitter, Nigerians also lambasted Governor Rochas.
"@GovernorRochas please what drugs have you taken recently?
Many Nigerians have lost their lives in brutal ways in SA yet this is happening?" a Nigerian lamented on Twitter.
Another person added: "Nigeria that fought & won freedom for SA hasn't been honoured with a statue of any Nigerian leader in SA, instead by serial murdering of Nigerians."
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