There was chaos on Monday, February 19, as supporters of the Imo state geputy governor, Eze Madumere, and those of Uche Nwosu, the son-in-law to Governor Rochas Okorocha, had a clash that reportedly turned violent.
The Punch reports that the violent altercation happened at a political meeting held at the council hall of the Mbaitoli local government area, at Nworubi, where the supporters of Okorocha’s son-in-law had allegedly gone to endorse him to run for the 2019 governorship election.
Madumere, who is also gunning for the seat of the governor, is reportedly from Mbaitoli local government area.
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The report quoted sources at the meeting as saying that a political structure called I believe Movement, which supports Nwosu; and those loyal to the deputy governor attacked one another immediately the mission of the visitors was announced.
The report said the visitors had sent indigenes a text message, inviting members of the public to a gathering without stating the agenda.
“Members of ‘I believe Movement’ took us for granted. They came to our local government area to endorse the governor’s son-in-law, as against our son who is the deputy governor of the state.
“They want to use us to score a political point against the deputy governor, who is our son.
“The annoying aspect is that they didn’t inform us why they invited us.
“Immediately we realised what their plan was, we told them categorically that we were supporting our son, who is the deputy governor, for the governorship election.
“They started shouting ‘I believe Movement in support of Uche Nwosu;’ and we started shouting ‘Madumere.’
“They picked offence and started fighting us,” the source reportedly explained.
“Our people regrouped and came to the hall to save us. They started using stones, bottles and other weapons on us," another source reportedly said.
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The report said many were injured while some ran home with torn clothes and that it took the intervention of security men to bring the situation under control.
The report quoted the commissioner of police in the state, Chris Ezike, as saying he was yet to be briefed.
NAIJ.com earlier reported that Governor Rochas Okorocha recently identified his son-in-law and chief of staff, Uche Nwosu, as the person to succeed him as governor of the state if he makes his ambition known.
Okorocha gave this position when members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Owerri Municipal Council Area visited him in the Government House in Owerri.
Okorocha said Nwosu has “the qualities of ideal leader” and that although he has not told him yet that he intends to run for governor but, promised to support him if he does.
What is cooking in Imo state? - on NAIJ.com TV
Source: Naija.ng