People now avoid Imo due to killings. The state is turning to Afghanistan…this is not the state I left behind – Okorocha

Former Governor of Imo state and senator representing Imo west, Rochas Okorocha has expressed sadness over the killings witnessed in the South-East state.

Speaking at Eziama-Obaire, Nkwerre Local Government Area of Imo State during the burial of the mother of his son-in-law, late Ezinne Jemaimah Adanweze Nwosu on Wednesday December 21,  Okorocha appealed to youths to stop spilling blood in the state.

He said; 

“I know there is no job, many are unemployed, but stop spilling the blood of your brothers and sisters no matter the cause of your anger.

“I do not subscribe to bloodletting.”

The former Governor also said that killings in the state were so frightening that nobody would wants to visit Imo without second thoughts.

Okorocha added; 

“I know of six governors that wanted to come to Imo State, senators and ministers who wanted to come for the burial, but they could not come because of the situation in the state.

“I want to appeal to you, this killing must stop.”

The lawmaker also asked youths to stop venting their anger on traditional rulers because of the failure of governance in the state. According to him, they should wait till 2023 to vote out bad governance through the electoral process.

Okorocha further claimed that the current Imo was not the state he governed for eight years and handed over in 2019 as it is“gradually turning to Afghanistan”.

He added; 

 “This is not the Imo I used to know. This is not the Imo I was governor for, for eight years.

“I urge you to wait till 2023 and use your PVC to vote out bad governance.

“Six governors called me and told me that they wanted to be here for the funeral but I told them for them to be here they must have to move about in Amorured Personnel Carriers and hence they couldn’t afford it, they stayed back in their respective states.”