The United Labour Congress of Nigeria, ULC, and the Civil Liberties Organisation, CLO, have condemned the invasion and demolition Ekeukwu Owerre Market in Owerri, Imo State by the state government.
The organisations described the action of the state government which allegedly left some dead and many injured as barbaric and wicked.
In their different statements the organisations declared the use of soldiers, police and other security agencies in the sacking and demolition of the market as sheer brutality.
They also said the governor violated the law be defying an order of the court restraining his government from carrying out the demolition of the market.
Said the ULC in a statement issued by its president, Joe Ajaero: “We woke up to the news of the demolition of a popular market in Owerri the Imo State capital called Ekeukwu market by agents of the State Government allegedly supported by the Army, the Police and other armed groups both legal and illegal.
“As at the time of this writing, many lives have been lost and scores lying in the hospital seriously injured while yet many more lost properties running into billions of Naira.
“We condemn this as barbaric, unconscionable and out of sync with the dictates of modern societies that thrive on strict adherence to the Rule of Law and natural justice. This once again is a national eyesore that leaves a deep gash on our collective conscience as a people and as a country.”
The organisation expressed worry over the fact that the state government, by its action violated the rule of law as the case over the market was still in court.
It said it was unfortunate that the state government allowed itself to be dragged down “this lane of infamy to unleash mayhem on its own people despite being illegal and amoral.”
The group said it was also sad that that there had been an increasing lawlessness and impunity against the society by those who were supposed to protect it.
While it called for the resignation of the governor of the state, Rochas Okorocha, on the alleged illegalities committed through his actions, it also blamed the military for being allowed to be used.
It particularly called for the investigation of the incidence with a view to bringing those responsible for the alleged crime to book.
“We therefore are forced to call for the immediate resignation of Rochas Okorocha on the basis of this perfidy and the threat he has become not only to his own people but also to Nigerians knowing fully that if he continues contributing to the destruction of our nation, Nigerian workers who we represent will be the first casualties. He has made his continued occupation of that exalted office tenuous and horrendous,” the ULC asserted.
Speaking in a similar vein, in the statement by its president, Uche Wisdom Durueke, the CLO declared that the use of soldiers by the state government to carry out the demolition exercise was unwarranted and illegal.
It added that besides, the governor acted wrongly by defying the court order restraining it from carrying out the action.
“The demolition of the Ekeukwu market is a brazen act of impunity by the Imo State Government and a clear showcase of utter disdain to the wishes of the people who rejected the planned demolition and had called for restraint on the part of the Government.
“The Ekeukwu Owerre market is not just a thriving economic centre but also part of the remaining cultural heritage of the Owerri people. So, the issue touches on the cultural right of the people.
“It is obvious that the destruction of the market will badly affect the economy of Imo State. It will increase the population of the unemployed in the state which will impact on the poverty situation in the state. More families will start missing food on their tables.
“The obvious consequences of the demolition include likely increase in socio-economic crimes in the city and its environ as many people who, daily, depended on the market for their livelihoods have now been displaced without any functional or visible alternative to move into and continue their lawful businesses.
“From reports, the demolition exercise did not only witness destruction of properties worth Hundreds of Million of Naira but also loss of lives. This has led to increased insecurity in the city with its attendant militarisation. It is important that those responsible for the killings of the three innocent citizens are fished out and brought to law.
“The families of those killed should be adequately compensated by the Imo State Government.”
However, the CLO equally urged the public not to do anything that would escalate the situation.
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