THE Imo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has accused the state Governor, Hope Uzodimma of ruling the state from exile.

This was contained in a statement signed by the state PDP spokesperson, Ogubundu Nwadike, in Owerri, on Wednesday.

The opposition party described the planned visit of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to Imo today (Thursday), as a mockery of the citizens of the state.

The statement read, “We received with mixed feelings the news that President Muhammadu Buhari will visit Imo State on Thursday, 9th September, 2021.

“Ordinarily, a presidential visit is a grand event. It is something every state looks forward to given the fanfare and camaraderie that come with it.

“Presidential visit is also significant because it does not come easily. It usually provides the president an opportunity to share the success story of any state being visited. In the light of the foregoing, the people of Imo State are expected to be elated at the prospect of the visit of the president.

READ ALSO Three commissioners resign in Plateau

“But we note with regret that these familiar feelings and moods are absent in the case of the presidential visit to Imo state. Rather than being expectant and elated, the people are actually wondering what the president is coming to do in Imo State.

“Their feeling of loss and consternation derives from the emptiness and despondency that pervades the atmosphere in the state. In recent months, Imo, once a land of peace, was forcibly turned into a theatre of war.”

The PDP said the there was nothing to celebrate with unknown gunmen enjoying a free reign across the state forcing residents to live in fear.

In response, the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on print media, Modestus Nwamkpa, described the PDP as a party made up of “physically displaced persons.”

Nwamkpa said that the state was witnessing massive development on account of Governor Uzodimma’s visionary leadership.