Okorocha, responsible for deaths in Eke Ukwu market –PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has condemned the forceful demolition of the popular Eke Ukwu Market and violent eviction of traders in Owerri by the Imo State Government using men of the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies.
The exercise carried out Weekend left three (3) people including a 10 year old child extra-judicially murdered and several other people injured.

A statement released by Nigeria’s main opposition political party and signed by its Publicity Secretary, Dayo Adeyeye said the violent eviction is all the more condemnable because it was carried out in violation of a pending order granted by an Imo State High Court restraining the Imo State Government from demolishing the market and evicting the traders.

The party noted “This action, sadly, follows a pattern of the use of the apparatus of state security to forcefully and violently carry out evictions of ordinary Nigerians from valuable property in blatant violation of Court orders. Not very long ago, the Lagos State government ordered the forceful eviction of indigent Nigerians from waterfront properties to enable it enter into joint venture agreements for the construction of luxury apartments. Like the Owerri incident, this eviction led to the deaths of at least two (2) people and the injury of several others, including women and children.”

“ As much as we acknowledge the ideals of development and the construction of critical infrastructure, these ideals must be pursued within the confines of the respect for the rule of law, as well as in a humane manner that preserves the dignity of indigent Nigerians while giving them viable and affordable alternatives regarding where to live, grow and trade.”

“Unfortunately, the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) does not recognise such valuable ideals and as such continues to design, promote and pursue anti-people policies.”

The PDP further called for the immediate investigation of these extra-judicial murders and bring the culprits to book. “Only such an action will give justice to the dead and discourage the use of the Police and other security agencies as tools for the further oppression of ordinary Nigerians.” It said.