PDP Slams Governor Uzodimma Over ₦2.1bn Pilgrimage Spending While State Bleeds from Insecurity, Poverty

 

The Imo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has sharply criticized Governor Hope Uzodimma for what it called a reckless misuse of public funds, alleging that the governor authorized a staggering ₦2.1 billion for a Muslim pilgrimage and a subsequent celebratory event, even as the state reels from security breakdowns and economic hardship.

Lancelot Obiaku, spokesperson for the PDP in Imo, issued a scathing statement from Owerri on Wednesday, expressing outrage over the expenditure, which reportedly benefited only 315 individuals. The party questioned the rationale behind such a costly initiative at a time when Imo citizens are grappling with fear, inflation, and deteriorating living standards.

According to the statement, the decision to host a lavish event welcoming Vice President Kashim Shettima in connection with the airlifting of the pilgrims added salt to injury. Obiaku lamented that the funds could have been redirected toward urgent state needs, including security operations and welfare programmes for struggling residents.

Rather than address the spiraling insecurity in several parts of the state, PDP argued, the Uzodimma administration chose to divert public funds into what it described as “an extravagant and unjustifiable venture.” The party maintained that the gesture reflects the governor’s detachment from the realities facing ordinary citizens.

A particularly painful twist, according to the PDP, was the timing of the event—occurring barely 24 hours after a deadly attack in Umuna and Okigwe communities in Onuimo Local Government Area. That attack claimed no fewer than 20 lives, left several kidnapped, and saw more than 22 vehicles set ablaze. The PDP found it troubling that rather than visiting the affected communities or convening an emergency security response, Governor Uzodimma appeared more concerned with celebration and political pageantry.

The statement accused the governor of a pattern of indifference, asserting that Uzodimma’s actions betray a lack of empathy and leadership. The PDP said his reluctance to speak out or take decisive action against the persistent threats in the state underscores a deeper crisis of governance.

Ngor Okpala, the statement noted, has been particularly affected by what it called the menace of “suspected Fulani terrorists,” who have turned parts of the area into strongholds of fear. The PDP pointed to a long list of other local government areas—Okigwe, Orsu, Njaba, Onuimo, Oru West, and Orlu—as being under siege by criminal gangs who continue to unleash mayhem on residents.

Obiaku didn’t mince words, calling for the governor's resignation and urging the people of Imo State to rise in collective defiance against what he described as a “grossly incompetent and disconnected administration.” He emphasized that the time had come for the people to demand better governance and resist policies that further alienate them from the basic dividends of democracy.

According to the PDP, the present administration is failing to meet its responsibilities and appears more preoccupied with political showmanship than with protecting lives and property. “This government has lost touch with the plight of the people,” the statement read. “We cannot continue to normalize a leadership that offers no solace or support to victims of violence and economic despair.”

In a rallying call to Imo citizens, the opposition party emphasized the importance of civic accountability. It urged communities across the state to speak up, remain vigilant, and demand transparency in how public funds are allocated and utilized.

The statement concluded with a strong reminder that real leadership is not marked by ceremonies or publicity events, but by meaningful action and responsiveness to the needs of the people.