From Everest Ezihe, Owerri
There are indications that the robust relationship between Dr. Sam Amadi, a social crusader/human rights activist and the Imo State government has gone sour as the State government accuses him of inciting the populace against Governor Hope Uzodimma and his administration.
This is contained in a press statement issued over the weekend by the State Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Hon. Declan Emelumba who said that ever since Sam Amadi conceived the idea of contesting for the governorship, he has been engaging in seditious acts against the government under the guise of campaigns.
Emelumba, described Amadi’s alleged actions as a “sustained clannish campaign of calumny” against Uzodimma and the administration.
He cited Amadi’s recent tirade where he also accused him of practically insulting “the government for discharging one of its constitutional duties of allocating land for development purposes.
“Unfortunately, he exposed himself as a man who is out of touch with the realities in the state,” the statement read, adding, “obviously, he has never accessed the Imo Master Plan to know which areas of the State are designated for what purpose, neither has he taken time to study the Land Use Act to know the powers of a governor, nor what constitutes public interest.”
Emelumba stated that Amadi, who hails from Ngor Okpuala Local Government, has gone on to incite the people to challenge the government for allocating the said land, whereas “all due process was followed in the allocation.
“For the purpose of clarity, the government allocated the land to a corporate organisation after due scrutiny of the purpose, which is development and which aligns with public interest.”
Emelumba further clarified that apart from the church to be built, the organisation is also setting up schools and other facilities, which will generate employment opportunities for Imo people and revenue for the State government.
He described Amadi as being “shallow and mischievous” in his presentation to the people of Ngor Okpala concerning the allocation of the land.
The Commissioner pointed out that since Amadi declared his governorship ambition, he has been “incoherent on his intended policies and programmes, if elected.”
