Protest Greets El-Rufai’s Visit to Imo for Odenigbo Lecture

Tension flared in Owerri, Imo State, on Saturday as protesters stormed the Assumpta Cathedral to oppose the visit of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai. The ex-governor was in the state to deliver the 2025 Odenigbo Lecture.

El-Rufai had earlier held a series of private meetings on Friday with political, traditional, and religious leaders in the state. He first paid a visit to the palace of Eze Stephen Kemjika, the traditional ruler of Nekede Autonomous Community, before proceeding to the residence of former Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Nnaemeka Maduagwu. At the latter meeting, he reportedly interacted with former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and leaders of the Social Democratic Party.

On Saturday, El-Rufai also held talks with officials of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri at the church premises before delivering the Odenigbo Lecture.

But his presence sparked outrage among some residents. In a viral video circulating online, protesters carrying placards could be seen chanting slogans against him. They accused the former governor of making anti-Igbo remarks in the past and questioned why he was invited to the event.

Speaking on behalf of the group, a protest leader—whose name was not disclosed in the video—said, “This morning, we are at Assumpta Cathedral where Imo people have converged in their numbers to reject in totality Nasir El-Rufai’s presence and caution Mr. Peter Obi for consistently trying to deceive Imo people.”

The protests highlight simmering distrust and political sensitivities surrounding El-Rufai’s outreach in the South-East region.