With tens of Nigerians dead in xenophobic attacks and in the hands of police officers in South Africa, the news that Imo State governor unveiled a statue in honour of visiting South African President Jacob Zuma has been met with rage.

The South African president was also honoured with a chieftancy title, Imo State’s highest award and had a street named after him.

Okorocha’s action is condemnable, said the Civil Society Network Against Corruption, a coalition of more than 150 anti-corruption groups in Nigeria.

Their angst? President Jacob Zuma is currently being dogged by a litany of allegations of corruption. Hence, honouring him with titles is tantamount to portraying him as a ‘hero’ to African youths,  CSNAC said in a statement.

“Is Governor Okorocha not aware that the people of South Africa are currently demanding for the resignation of a leader who has brought shame and dishonour to the country of Nelson Mandela?” the group queried in the statement. It was not only the anti-corruption group that was pissed, Twitter reactions – from Nigerians and South Africans – have been fast and furious, with many questioning the propriety of Okorocha’s gesture.

Are there those miffed that Zuma has done almost next to nothing about xenophobic attacks on Nigerians? You bet!

2 Nigerians killed & others injured by South African police.
No word from Jacob Zuma...yet Rochas Okorocha built a statue in his honour. pic.twitter.com/ir3N6EHar4

— Henry O (@Onos147) October 15, 2017

In honour of all Nigerians killed in South Africa in the name of xenophobia, Rochas Okorocha thanks Jacob Zuma with a statue. pic.twitter.com/vgbO4TB4rV

— Nnamdi (@glass_ice) October 16, 2017

Gov Rochas just erected a humongous statue of Jacob Zuma in Imo.
What next?? Name a Stadium or Airport after Robert Mugabe?? pic.twitter.com/LoET7JrakR

— PRESIDENT OKONKWO (@IkechuQwu) October 15, 2017

Even Jacob Zuma’s statue isn’t impressed with this pic.twitter.com/JpjKwwvMzw

— Chris 🇬🇭🇩🇪 (@spy_da) October 16, 2017

Rochas erected a statue of Jacob Zuma in Imo

This govt & making Nigeria a subject of international ridicule pic.twitter.com/wAx6o97Fxh

— Lérd Chigbọ ā (@itschigbo) October 15, 2017

How worse can it get?
Despite owing workers, Gov. Rochas spent 520M to erect statue of South African president Jacob Zuma in Owerri

Funke! pic.twitter.com/slsSqhbjQc

— Wale Adetona (@iSlimfit) October 15, 2017

Gov. Rochas Okorocha has 6 more statues to unveil & more African leaders to honour. D Jacob Zuma statue is just 1

Nigeria is in trouble ! 😳 pic.twitter.com/0Uax1zuWrk

— Mr.┏̲O̶̲̅┓̲P ┏̲A̶̲̅┓ (@ogbeni_opa) October 16, 2017

Guardian