Over the weekend, Imo governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha erected a gigantic statue in honour of South African President, Jacob Zuma. This has generated a myriad of reactions from Nigerians, many, who condemned the action as distasteful.

“It’s just another sheer display of tomfoolery which Okorocha is known for. Nothing best describes Okorocha’s action other than that. On what basis was such honour conferred on Jacob Zuma? Even if Okorocha decided to ignore the medal of corruption dangling on Zuma’s neck, did he also ignore the untold hardship and maiming his kinsmen are constantly being subjected to in South Africa while Zuma’s government looks away. It’s a national embarrassment and thousands of steps backwards in the anti-corruption campaign the APC government rode to power. I just want to believe Okorocha is trying to pull a National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) style on Zuma, all the display at the weekend is either a reward for what Okorocha has gotten or he is expecting from Zuma,” an Insider with the Labour Party stated this while airing his opinion on the Jacob Zuma statue.

Insiders all believe that the action of the Imo state governor is laughable, as well as inscrutable. The Imo governor did not only unveil a statue of the South African President, a street was also named after Zuma. Many wonder what the South African President who is currently battling corruption allegations in his country and has seen his popularity wane in South Africa, must have done to deserve this humongous gesture.

“I consider the move a bit frivolous, and if it was done with state money or on state money, it leaves a lot to be desired,” said an Insider.

An Insider with the APC humorously stated thus “the dude is a clown and a painfully sad joker”.

“It is so appalling that Governor Okorocha can take governance to such a level that’s filled with absurdities. At first, we need to understand the relationship between the motives of erecting this statue and its positive implication on the socio-economic advancement and welfare of Imo people. Is there anything of such? The answer is No!” An Insider with the PDP stated. He added that “It is worrisome that this laughable move was done by a governor who still owes workers salaries in his state. The huge amount of money expended in this area could have been channelled to improving the lives of Imo people. There are bad roads in Imo, dilapidated schools, hospitals and other social amenities which the governor should attend to, yet he finds pleasure in honouring a man who doesn’t share in the pains and discomfort being experienced by his people. Besides we need to ask ourselves this question: What monumental achievement can we trace to the South African president who is currently enmeshed in different corruption allegations in his country? This is a president that doesn’t have any traceable international legacy worth erecting a statue for him in Nigeria,” he stated.

Perhaps we will never be tired of the histrionics oozing out of Nigeria, apart from this hilarity; we would also never understand why politicians take some decisions that are obviously not in the interest of the people they govern. It becomes more complicated when we demand reasons, and rather than get an answer, we get more scandalous histrionics.

The above probably explains the reason why another Insider mused that “I can live with naming a street after him, but the statue is an overkill. Why a statue? What has he done for the state? It also raises an issue of cost how much was spent on that vanity project?” he said.

These are members of the Political Insiders (Not all of whom participated in this issue)

Bukola Ogunyemi (NA), Amara Nwakpa (NA), Cheta Nwanze (NA), Seun Onigbinde (NA), Clarence Onyekwere (NA), Babatunde Ajileye (NA), Mark Amaza (NA), Saratu Abiola (NA), Henry Okelue (APC), Prince Deji Adeyanju (NA), John Paul Akinduro (LP), Ebubedike Akabua (NA), Ikemesit Effiong (NA), Saatah Nubari (NA), Chinedu Ekeeke (NA), Abdul Mahmud (NA), Tunji Andrews (NA), Ileowo Kikiowo (APC), Ikenna Okonkwo (NA), Stanley Azuakola (NA), Gbenga Olorunpomi (APC), Rinsola Abiola (APC), Ayobami Oyalowo (APC), Oluseun Odewale (APC), Anthony Ehilebo (PDP), Emannuel Ojo (PDP), Bimbo Oke (PDP), Abigail Anaba (NA), Tony ‘Pox’ Iribor (NA), Michael Orodare (LP), Henry Nwazuruahu (PDP), Ojugo ‘Ojay’ Onyelukachukwu (PDP), Viola Okoli (PDP), Ariyo Dare Atoye (PDP), Oraye Franklin (PDP), Lai Labode (NA), Akaebube (APGA), Aziza Uko (NA), Kayode Ajulo (LP).

Editor