Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has come under heavy criticism over the statue of South Africa President Jacob Zuma unveiled in Owerri on Saturday.
Zuma, who was on a two-day visit to the state, was also conferred with the chieftaincy title of Ochiagha (Warlord) as well as have a road named after him.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Civil Society Network Against Corruption described the honour bestowed on Zuma as embarrassing.
The South African president is facing multiple accusations of corruption, fraud, and money laundering in his country
CSNAC Chairman, Lanre Suraj, said the honour given Zuma in Imo would embolden him to tell his people he is celebrated abroad.
“It is embarrassing that a state government controlled by the All Progressives Congress which is fighting corruption could play host to Mr. Zuma, allegedly a corrupt leader in the current assembly of heads of state in the African Union and portray him as a hero before a group of African youth,” Suraj said.
“Is Governor Okorocha not aware that Mr. Zuma has been found guilty of corruption by the courts in South Africa and has been ordered to refund the $500,000 stolen from the public treasury to expand his private house to accommodate his many wives?
“Is Governor Okorocha not aware that Mr. Zuma has also been indicted for allowing an Indian family to influence the appointment of his cabinet members?
“In asking President Zuma to address officials of Imo State government, is Governor Okorocha not aware that the people of South Africa are currently demanding the resignation of a leader who has brought shame and dishonour to the country of Nelson Mandela?”
Apart from corruption allegations against Zuma, Nigerians are also the subject of xenophobic attacks by South Africans.
Below are some of the reaction’s to Okorocha’s honouring Zuma.
.@SAPresident statue unveiled in Imo State by Rochas Okorocha. I predict the inappropriate dung will get knocked down within a year. pic.twitter.com/c66OyeEyIw
— Kayode Ogundamisi (@ogundamisi) October 14, 2017
D painful part about Okorocha’s statue of Jacob Zuma: the statue is bigger than Okorocha’s birthday cake. #MonkeyPoxLeadership!
— Pius Adesanmi (@pius_adesanmi) October 14, 2017
How worse can it get?
Despite owing workers, Gov. Rochas spent 520M to erect statue of South African president Jacob Zuma in OwerriFunke! pic.twitter.com/slsSqhbjQc
— Wale Adetona (@iSlimfit) October 15, 2017
South Africa to Zuma: You are terribly corrupt Jacob Zuma. You need to go!
Nigeria to Zuma: I knew there was something special about you??♥️ pic.twitter.com/qhvhq1vmtz— Elnathan John (@elnathan_john) October 15, 2017
GEJ got no statue in 9ja
PMB got no statue in 9ja
Suddenly Jacob Zuma got his statue in Nigeria.
Our leaders don’t respect themselves.— Justin Ifeanyi |?? (@Eastcoastprince) October 15, 2017
Just when you thought you’ve seen it all, you see a Nigerian Governor erecting a statue for Jacob Zuma while owing his state workers salary.
— Josh I (@sire_liljosh) October 15, 2017
I know today is Sunday & this is probably wrong, but Rochas Okorocha is very mad for this statue of Jacob Zuma He built in Imo State pic.twitter.com/5O0JTIY48x
— Tweeter Active (@_Tweeteractive) October 15, 2017
GMB will b looking @ okorocha like”so u can erect Jacob Zuma statue but not my own..EFCC will soon fall on u pic.twitter.com/wmOVTSuPMK
— @DUDUNATTY (@Isaacdudu89) October 15, 2017
Those Crying about Jacob Zuma statue!
Rochas said i should tell you that 6 more statues are still coming oh! ??? pic.twitter.com/1Oe0Z8f1ng— MR. maQmillian ? (@ArchitectMaQ) October 15, 2017
If you think building Jacob Zuma’s statue was outrageous, wait until Gov. Okorocha unveils the statue next to Zuma. It may be Nkiru Slyvanus pic.twitter.com/8KLwpKZukp
— Dr. Njakiri Damages (@DrDamages) October 15, 2017
