United Labour Congress of Nigeria orders Rochas to pull down statue of Jacob Zuma

WORKERS federation the United  Labour Congress of Nigeria (ULC) has condemned the erection of statue of South African president Jacob Zuma in the Imo State capital Owerri by Governor Rochas Okorocha calling it a misplaced priority.

Over the last week, Governor Okorocha has hosted President Zuma in a series of elaborate ceremonies that involved the naming a street in the state capital after him and the unveiling of s statue. Imo is one of the states in Nigeria that owes its workers salary arrears and the ULC is incensed that Governor Okorocha is not treating this as a priority.

While demanding that the statue be pulled down, ULC described the honouring of President Zuma by the governor as highly insensitive and contemptuous of not only the people of Imo State. It added that the act also possess dangers to Nigeria if not roundly condemned and excoriated by well-meaning Nigerians.

ULC president Joe Ajaero, urged the people of Imo State and other patriotic Nigerians who feel outraged over this act to immediately demand that Governor Okorocha pull down the infamous statue. He also called on the people of Imo State to demand a return of the money used in this ignoble project and march on the state legislature to demand that Governor Okorocha apologises for bringing this national shame and disgrace to them.

Mr Ajaero said: “We are not against honouring great men and women who have contributed positively to the development of the state to encourage them to do more but we know that whatever must have informed the choice of Jacob Zuma at this time must be everything but altruistic and patriotism. How he became a Nigerian or Imo State champion cannot be explained and beats our imagination.

"Zuma is not  a Nigerian patriot, contributed nothing to the Nigerian project and Imo State effort at development. He is not Shehu Shagari, Sam Mbakwe, Awolowo or Zik of Africa."

He added that President Zuma is not a patriot from Imo State or other parts of Nigeria who are well-deserving of such an honour and who have not been honoured. According to the ULC, President Zuma definitely does not deserve a statue in Imo State talk less of naming a street after him.