Women protest EFCC, ICPC activities in Imo

Women protest EFCC, ICPC activities in
Imo
on october 23, 2013 at 9:32 am in news
Owerri – Thousands of women in Imo on Tuesday
embarked on a peaceful demonstration, protesting
alleged intimidation and harassment of state
government officials by anti-corruption agencies.
The women, drawn from the 27 local government
areas, marched through the major streets of the
state capital as early as 7 a.m., causing a gridlock
on the roads.
The women alleged that the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent
Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) had been
distracting the administration
of Gov Rochas Okorocha.
The Coordinator of the women group,
Mrs Tessy Ohanuba, said they came out to express
their grievances over the alleged incessant
harassment of the state government officials by the
anti-graft agencies.
“They are sending EFCC and ICPC to come and
harass the people working with the governor.
“We are happy with the way the governor is running
the state. The women have never had it so good.
“Today, our children are beneficiaries of the free
education programme of the state government.
“There is infrastructural development, good road
network and good healthcare delivery system,” she
said.
Ohanuba called on President Goodluck Jonathan to
intervene in the matter to enable the governor to
concentrate in providing democracy dividends to
the people.
“We are calling on the gender-friendly president to
listen to our call, see the tears of the women and
call on those harassing the state governor and his
team to order,” she said.
Another woman leader, Chief
Mrs Adaku Agbugbaeruleke, condemned the alleged
activities of the anti-corruption agencies.
“No one should stampede the governor anymore
because of his choice of political party.
“He saw the need to move to the All Progressive
Congress (APC) and we are solidly behind him,’’ she
said.
Mrs Hope Anyanwu, an octogenarian, questioned
the authority and sincerity of the anti-graft
agencies.
“Okorocha is holding Imo resources in trust for us
and we are not complaining about the way he is
managing it neither have we petitioned to the
EFCC, ICPC or any other agency.
“All we are saying is that enough is enough,’’ she
said.
The women also visited the INEC office on the
Port Harcourt-Owerri road to demand the conduct a
re-run election for the Oguta state assembly
constituency.
The Accountant-General of the state, Mr George
Eche, and the Speaker of the state assembly, Mr
Ben Uwajimuogu, were reported to have on different
occasions been invited for questioning by the
security agencies. (NAN