Imo State Residents Defy IPOB Sit-at-Home Order, Celebrate Gov Uzodimma’s Inauguration

In a striking display of defiance against the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) sit-at-home order, residents of Imo State flooded the streets on Monday to celebrate the inauguration of Governor Hope Uzodimma for a second term.

The vibrant event unfolded at Owerri’s Dan Anyiam Stadium, where citizens, adorned in colorful traditional attire, gathered in large numbers.

Despite concerns over security and IPOB’s directive, the city of Owerri became a spectacle of celebration, with residents rejecting the call for a stay-at-home protest. Within the stadium, people created a lively atmosphere, engaging in songs and dance while anticipating the official proceedings.

President Bola Tinubu, a prominent political figure in Nigeria, graced the inauguration ceremony. Governor Uzodimma, affiliated with the All Progressives Congress (APC), secured re-election in the November 11, 2023, polls, amassing 540,308 votes. The opposition candidates from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) contested the results, but Uzodimma, in his acceptance speech, extended an olive branch, urging their cooperation for the state’s progress.

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Before the inauguration formalities, President Tinubu inaugurated the newly reconstructed Airport Road in Owerri. The President, joined by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, arrived in Imo State following his participation in the Armed Forces Remembrance Day activities in Abuja.

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The residents’ decision to partake in the inauguration festivities, in defiance of IPOB’s sit-at-home directive, underlines the intricate interplay of regional politics, security challenges, and the resilience of citizens expressing their civic engagement in the face of adversity. The presence of prominent political figures at the event adds another layer to the unfolding political dynamics in Imo State and the broader South-East region.