A wave of anger is sweeping across Imo State as citizens demand accountability from former Governor Rochas Okorocha and key members of his administration over the controversial Imo Air project, which many now describe as a carefully staged fraud.
The project, which was paraded as a state-owned airline during Okorocha’s tenure, was widely celebrated at its launch. Yet, it has since been revealed that the aircraft used bore the logo of Dana Air, a private commercial airline, with no evidence that the state of Imo ever owned or operated any independent aircraft. The entire initiative, critics say, was nothing more than a political show meant to deceive the public and inflate the legacy of the administration.
Among those now facing public scrutiny are Okorocha’s former deputy, Eze Madumere, as well as political allies Rex Anunobi and Acho Ihim. A resurfaced photo from the launch event shows the trio standing behind Okorocha in celebration, with Anunobi—an OPOCA chieftain—clearly visible in his red cap. The image has gone viral online, reigniting outrage among citizens who believe the people in that photo must now be held accountable for what they call a brazen misuse of public funds.
Residents of Imo State are asking tough questions: Where did the millions budgeted for Imo Air go? Was there ever a plan to establish a functional airline? Why was a Dana Air plane repainted and passed off as a state project?
There are no known financial records, operational agreements, or staff structures to support the existence of a real state-owned airline. After the launch fanfare, the so-called Imo Air vanished without trace—no fleet, no flight schedules, no public audit. Just silence.
Analysts and civic groups have labeled the project a symbolic example of political deceit in Nigeria—where grand ceremonies are held to cover up empty programs, and taxpayers are left to foot the bill for vanity projects with no real impact. Calls are now growing for anti-corruption agencies to launch a full investigation into the funding of the project and the individuals involved.
Imo people are demanding not only answers but also consequences. For many, the memory of Imo Air is not one of pride, but a painful reminder of how politics can be used to mask corruption and insult public intelligence.
