– Says action is blasphemous

The United Progressive Party (UPP) has expressed displeasure over the renaming of Assumpta Avenue by governor, Rochas Okorocha, describing it as an affront and blasphemy against Christendom.

The party in a release, dated 28th December, 2017 and signed by the state

Chairman Hon. Sir John Egbuchulam and State Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ejike Ogbonna, said rebranding and replacing the name Assumpta with that of President Buhari or any mortal is a blasphemous aberration, capable of igniting social and religious unrest. They however expressed optimism that President, Muhammadu Buhari will not knowingly condone such overzealous and sacrilegious act.

The party also assured Imolites that UPP government in the state, will not only restore hope, reinvigorate the economy, ensure justice, equity and fairness, but also restore all renames and ensure that all real and perceived injustices and inbalances in the system are addressed.

It will be recalled that governor Okorocha, recently renamed some major roads in the state capital after President Jacob Zuma of South Africa and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of Liberia, who visited the state recently while the age long Assumpta Avenue was also renamed Muhammadu Buhari road.

These unilateral acts of the governor that had no official legal backing have continued to attract condemnation and reactions from a cross section of the society, most of whom have called on the governor to reverse to the old names forthwith.