President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived Owerri, Imo, on one-day official visit where he would inaugurate some developmental projects executed by the State Government.
The President was received at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport by Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo, the Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ebonyi, Dave Umahi, and the All Progressives Congress Anambra State gubernatorial candidate, Andy Uba.
Others at the airport to welcome the president included some cabinet Ministers and Presidential aides from the South East,the Executive Secretary of NALDA, Mr Paul Ikonne, as well as other Federal and State government officials.
The President is expected to, among others, inaugurate First Phase of Naze/Nekede/Ihiagwa/Obinze link road, Balloon Driven/Flood Control Tunnel and Egheada Bypass road.
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Prior to Thursday’s visit, The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had rejected the President’s visit and declared Thursday as a sit-at-home day in protest. Banks, markets and streets were deserted when the President arrived in Owerri.
On the other hand, apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, disagreed with IPOB and declared their welcome to the President wholeheartedly. Unlike IPOB, the group saw it as an opportunity to properly address the issues plaguing the Igbo people. The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) saw the visit as an opportunity to demand the release of the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Despite the stay-at-home order and the conflicting opinions by these groups, there was still a crowd of Imo State indigenes and residents - mostly party faithful - present to welcome the President.
Before returning to Abuja, the President will hold a townhall meeting with stakeholders from the South East zone of the country.
