The National President of the National Association of Imo State Students (NAISS) Comr. Sabinus Nwachukwu has said that he has been under attack/pressure over the Monday January 26th 2015, incidence during which students on the campaign rally of Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha, revolted against him. The rebellion resulted to the throwing of pebbles at Commissioner Uche Nwosu and destruction of electronic and electricity installations within the IICC, along Bank and Government House roads Owerri and the vandalization of the campaign office of the Governor where a huge flex banner was torn to shreds.
Speaking through his media aide Comr. Mbawuike Francis, the students leader asserted that the number of calls, threats and messages he has received after the Monday incident is quite unbearable, hence he disassociated the association from any involvement in the riot that took place on Monday at the Imo International Conference Centre (IICC) and Government House roundabout, Owerri. He insisted that NAISS has a credible leadership that has launched campaigns against violence.
In a related development, the National Secretary of NAISS, Senator Jude-C.Jude, said the possible cause of the riot was as a result of Government’s inability to demobilize/settle the massive students crowd, they mobilized for the Governor’s endorsement, after he had pledged money to them but refused to release the cash. He urged the Governor to look inwards among his aides and the handlers of the rally for culpability and not NAISS.
Still on this note, the National President, Comr. Sabinus Nwachukwu said that Imo students are not touts but responsible people, adding that people especially desperate politicians should learn to keep their promises and make their words their bonds. He therefore called on the students to always take their studies seriously and avoid being used by these demagogues who are egocentric and unscrupulous but do not represent the interest of the present generation.
The National Executives of the Association on its own called on groups and individuals to leave their President, Comr. Sixtus Nwachukwu alone as he was not aware of the incident. They observed that the state government does not recognize NAISS as a body and does not involve them in any of their programme but uses a parallel organization that goes by the name NAISS and wondered how they can now be accused of a situation created by the government’s apparent rascality and irresponsibility. Let them look inwards for the cause of their problems, they exclaimed.
The Association further asserted that any plan to put the fate of Imo students in jeopardy and ignominy will be resisted. They urged Imo students to make judicious use of their permanent voters’ card and to vote wisely in order to vote in a candidate of their choice, according to their conscience. Any law abiding student must know that the law is no respecter of anybody. If any of them is caught in the act of violence, even if clandestinely, he should have him or herself to blame. In otherwise students of Imo state cannot desist from being used as cannon fodders who bear the brunt of any electoral process, they warned.
