Hundreds of protesters on Saturday booed former Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi, in Owerri, the Imo State capital, for hosting Mallam Nasir El-Rufai in the state.
Both opposition leaders were in Owerri to attend the Odenigbo Lecture Series organised by the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri.
El Rufai, a former Kaduna State governor, arrived in Imo State on Friday and was hosted by the traditional ruler of Nekede Ancient Kingdom, Eze Agumanu.
While his presence at Nekede did not raise any dust, his attendance at a Christian event in the company of Peter Obi drew the ire of the people.
Chanting war songs, the protesters, including men, women and youths, berated Peter Obi for bringing an enemy into Igboland.
They described El-Rufai as an unrepentant hater of Ndigbo and Christians, saying his eight years in Kaduna led to bloodbath that resulted in death of innocent Christians.
Some of their placards read, “Stop deceiving us, Peter Obi,” “El Rufai is an enemy,” and “We don’t want you in Imo State.”
It took heavy security to restrain some of the protesters from physically barring Obi and El-Rufai from gaining entry into the Assumpta Cathedral, venue of the lecture series.
Some of the protesters expressed disappointment that Peter Obi could associate himself with someone who openly hates Ndigbo and conspired against them in national politics.
“Our respect for Obi has evaporated today. By identifying with an enemy of Ndigbo, he has also made himself an enemy,” they declared.
They said “Ndigbo will never take Obi seriously again after his open relationship with El-Rufai.”
Also, some of the leaders of Social Democratic Party (SDP) had protested earlier over a rally the former Kaduna State governor intended to organise in the state.
Key national leaders of the ADC, including El-Rufai and Obi had held a crucial meeting with Imo ADC stakeholders on Friday.
The gathering was hosted at Awaka Community in Owerri North LGA, at the residence of Chief Dr. C.J. Oparah
The strategic session, which lasted an hour, provided a platform for dialogue on the party’s future direction and the consolidation of its structures.
Those in attendance included Prof. Batos Nwadike (Oyi of Igboland); Chief Mike Nwachukwu (Mpi Dike); Rt. Hon. Maduagwu; HRM Eze Mitchell Uchenna Egbukole (Eze Ochoronma VI) of Egbu Ancient Kingdom in Owerri North LGA of Imo State, and Mr. Nick Oparandudu, among other supporters of the ADC.