Imo: Residents protest against presence of El-Rufai at Odenigbo 2025
Protests erupted at the Assumpta Cathedral in Owerri, Imo State, on Saturday as some residents kicked against the visit of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to deliver the 2025 Odenigbo Lecture.
The former governor had on Friday met with some political, traditional and religious leaders in the state where he discussed governance and the country’s economic development.
He initially visited the palace of the traditional ruler of Nekede Autonomous Community, Eze Stephen Kemjika, Agumanu IV where he spoke with some elders.
El-Rufai also appeared at the residence of former Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Nnaemeka Maduagwu, meeting with former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and some leaders of the Social Democratic Party in the state.
The former governor also held talks with some leaders of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri at the church premises before the 2025 Odenigbo Lecture.
However, a viral video that trended on social media showed some protesters wielding placards and chanting against the ex-governor’s presence, accusing him of anti-Igbo rhetoric in the past.
Speaking on behalf of the group, their leader, whose name wasn’t revealed in the video, said, “This morning, we are at Assumpta Cathedral where Imo people have converged in their numbers to reject in totality Nasir El-Rufai’s presence and caution Mr Peter Obi for consistently trying to deceive Imo people.
Credit – punch
