Victor Ezeja
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has condemned the manner in which Prophet Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, popularly known as ‘Odumeje’ was manhandled by taskforce officers during demolition of Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention and Deliverance Ministry owned by him in the commercial city of Onitsha.
A joint taskforce mandated by the Anambra State Government, on Thursday demolished Odumeje’s church located at Bida Road Off Creek Road, Fegge, Onitsha for being an illegal structure sitting on the waterway.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelIn a video that trended on social media on Thursday, Odumeje was seen being rough-handled by some of the taskforce personnel as he attempted to interfere when the demolition exercise was going on.
Soludo in a post on his official Facebook page said the treatment metted out on Odumeje was regrettable and ordered that the task force personnel involved in that act be treated in accordance with the rules of public conduct which he failed to uphold during the exercise.
He thanked the people for their understanding on the steps his administration is currently taking to put the state on the part of progress and sought for their continued support in his quest to reform Onitsha and restore it’s environmental dignity.
The statement read: “Let me sincerely appreciate ndị Anambra for understanding with us as we take audacious steps towards making our Homeland Liveable and Prosperous. On this journey, imperfect steps will be taken, emotions will run wild and opinions will grow thick.
“What is pertinent to note is that we shall remain undaunted, correct our imperfections, strive to put our emotions in check and aggregate opinions that are in the interest of our overall good.
“Yesterday’s outing has evoked emotions, not against the decision of government, but the imperfect and unprofessional manner with which one of the task force members discharged his lawful duty. This is highly regretted, and would never happen again.
“I have instructed that the task force personnel involved in the manhandling of Prophet Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere (Odumeje) be treated in accordance with the rules of public conduct which he roundly failed to uphold.
“We will continue to work to actualize the mandate you have given to us. Nothing short of the best outcomes is guaranteed.
“On behalf of the government and good people of Anambra State, I condemn the assault, and further ask for your continued support in the fight to restore the dignity of Onitsha, and indeed the totality of our Homeland,” Soludo wrote.
The governor had through a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Christian Aburime on Thursday, explained that the building was on waterway and was part of the structures marked for demolition in Fegge and environs earlier this year in line with the Soludo administration’s Onitsha Urban Renewal Plan.
Aburime stated that a notice of removal of illegal structures was served to developers and building owners in April but Odumeje failed to comply with the directive, hence the forceful demolition.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
