Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, a former governor of Enugu, was embarrassed by some residents of the state during a campaign stop at a market.
When the senator representing Enugu East Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate attempted to canvass votes in Coal Camp Spare Parts Market Enugu, he was met with a hostile crowd.
Residents who came out to see the senator and his campaign team began yelling ‘Onye Ohi,’ which translates to ‘Thief,’ while speakers mounted on one of the campaign vehicles repeatedly chanted ‘Chimaroke.’
Social media has been flooded with videos of the incident.
Analysts believe Nnamani incurred the wrath of the residents after endorsing Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the ruling All Progressives Congress’ presidential candidate (APC).
His party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), expelled him in response to the endorsement.
The former governor served in the Nigerian Senate alongside Tinubu in 1992, and they both served as governors from 1999 to 2007.
Nigerians react to the heartbreaking video of Nnamani’s treatment by enraged traders.
Some Nigerians on Twitter have been reacting to the trending video on the microblogging platform.
Enugu people call Chimaroke Nnamani a Thief (Onye Ori) At Coal Camp Enugu Yesterday.
😂😂 pic.twitter.com/B0gM9lIlbe— Mr Caesar (@caesar_nwana) February 11, 2023
Emeodi Mba wrote:
“My former governor Chimaroke Nnamani is facing double sack, from his party PDP and Enugu state people. Imagine being called a thief for market square.”
Nweze Orji wrote:
“Chimaroke Nnamani being called a thief and chased out of Coal Camp Enugu where he went to campaign. The people know who is a thief.”
Tom Steve wrote:
“My sincere condolences to the most respected thief of Enugu state. Chima, your time is up. He could not come out of the vehicle to campaign. They where responding to ‘Chimaroke – Onye ori’”
PDP expels Chimaroke Nnamani, six other bigwigs
Chimaroke Nnamani convoy was chased away today at coal camp Enugu with stone and water. The crowd was chanting "Chimaroke the thief in Igbo language"
🤣🤣🤣 Everywhere choke o pic.twitter.com/HTnrHHXdRG— Ekiri Princess (@NgFranc) February 12, 2023