In the wake of the tragic incident where three people lost their lives during a protest by traders in Enugu State, Nollywood actor Kenneth Okonkwo has voiced his strong criticism of Governor Peter Mbah’s handling of the situation.
The protest was triggered by the sealing of the traders’ shops by the state government for not opening for business on a designated day. The situation escalated into violence, resulting in the loss of three lives. Video clips circulated online, showing the lifeless bodies of two young men and a woman, further highlighting the seriousness of the incident.
The exact sequence of events leading to the casualties remains unclear, as security forces were deployed to disperse the protesters. However, the responsible party for the fatal shots has not been identified.
Taking to Twitter to express his views, veteran actor Kenneth Okonkwo criticized Governor Peter Mbah, accusing him of lacking wisdom in dealing with the situation. Okonkwo lamented that the governor, instead of addressing the concerns of the traders, resorted to violence, which led to further loss of lives.
The actor’s statement read, “Always terrible for a man to have zeal without wisdom. The overzealous Peter Mbah blamed his people for sitting at home for fear of being killed, and the best solution he could offer was to kill the people who decided to come out. So in Enugu, if you sit at home, ‘okwu’, if you come out, ‘okwunuka.’ This is the result of incompetence and dishonesty.”
The tragic incident has sparked outrage and calls for a thorough investigation into the events leading to the loss of lives. It has also drawn attention to the need for better conflict resolution and communication between the government and its citizens.
As the situation continues to unfold, there are growing demands for accountability and a more thoughtful approach in addressing public grievances to prevent further loss of lives and ensure the safety and well-being of all citizens.
