By Amos Tauna
Kaduna (Nigeria) — A Non-Governmental Organization, Unified Nigeria Youth Forum, UNYF, has condemned the erection of a statue of President Jacob Zuma of South Africa in Imo State, South east Nigeria
The statue was erected by the State Governor Rochas Okorocha where he named a road in honour of Zuma.
In a statement made available to journalists in Kaduna, northwest Nigeria, the President of the Forum, Abdusalam Mohammed Kazeem the group views the statue as a misplaced priority on the part of the governor of Imo State considering the economic situation of the state, where some civil servants/pensioners are yet to receive their entitlement for some months now.
“It will forever remain in record that the said President Jacob Zuma of South African is a controversial politician who is alleged to be involved in several legal scandals, associated with financial corruption and contracts racketeering.
“It is the same South African where many Nigerians,majorly of the eastern extraction are been killed on weekly bases,”
“We as a forum are not against our government at all levels to recognize or immotarlise other African leaders, but the said Jacob zuma does not have the moral standard to received such honour. “the statement reaffirmed.
The forum noted that under the watch of President of South Africa were xenophobic attacks on his African brothers most especially Nigerians, which his son was fingered as an instigator.
The statement added that Jacob Zuma is alleged to be in corruption crisis which his is currently facing with the GUPTAS bothers.
“Jacob Zuma never believed in a peaceful resolution of dispute which has led to the serious division in one of Africa’s most respected political parties, (ANC) and also the sacking of a respected financial minister who uncovered his illegal deals.
“We demand the reversal of the honour within one week or we move all our members to Imo State to short down the economic activities of the state,” the statement warns.
