A visit to Imo State by former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, was met with protests on Saturday as some residents gathered at the Assumpta Cathedral in Owerri to voice their strong opposition to his presence.
The former governor was in the state to deliver the 2025 Odenigbo Lecture. In the days leading up to the event, he had engaged in a series of meetings with various power blocs.
His itinerary included a visit to the palace of the traditional ruler of Nekede Autonomous Community, Eze Stephen Kemjika, Agumanu IV, where he spoke with community elders.
El-Rufai also appeared at the residence of former Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Nnaemeka Maduagwu. That meeting was attended by former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and some leaders of the Social Democratic Party in the state, highlighting the political nature of his tour. The former governor also held talks with leaders of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri on the church premises.
However, his outreach was not welcomed by all. A viral video that trended on social media showed a group of protesters wielding placards and chanting against the ex-governor’s presence. Their central accusation was that he has a history of what they termed anti-Igbo rhetoric.
Speaking on behalf of the group, their leader, whose name was not revealed in the video, explained their actions. “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.”
The protest cast a shadow over the former governor’s efforts to court political and community leaders in the state, demonstrating the lasting sensitivity surrounding his past statements and highlighting the challenges of building bridges in the region.
El-Rufai, a former chieftain of the ruling APC left the party few months ago to work with other opposition figures under a newly formed coalition of political parties in ADC.
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