The Archbishop of Owerri Catholic Diocese, AJV Obinna today re- echoed his rejection of the governorship bid of Chief of Staff and Governor Rochas Okorocha son in law, Chief Uche Nwosu.
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Speaking to newsmen in his office in Owerri, he denied reports in the media that he had endorsed Nwosu.
“I did not endorse Uche Nwosu’s candidature. It is against equity. He came here and I advised him to look at the temptation of the governorship before him.
“His Governorship ambition is not his original idea. It is Okorocha’s idea to have his son in law as governor and his daughter as First Lady. It is incestuous democracy.The report that I endorsed him is irresponsible”
“Seriously speaking, I have no intention of endorsing his governorship ambition. This is my principled stance. Does it mean there is no other person in Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe zones that can be Governor?”
The Archbishop said he believes in equity, stating that there should be no controversy about it, because the state of Imo supports the proposition of equity.
Reacting to a question on why he choose a funeral mass to announce his opposition to the Rescue Mission government, the Cleric recalled how Jesus Christ spoke at the Synagague.
“Where else do they want to me to speak except in the Church? Is it at the Heroes Square, Government House or where?” he said
He said his present stance on the matter is borne out of the principled stance of the Church, recalling how he opposed plans by a past military government in Imo State to remove the then College of AAgriculture at Umuagwo and Alvan Ikoku College of Education.
“We have been playing such roles in the past. We had embarked on Voter enlightenment which educated the people on voter education and fighting for justice. In 2006, we had Upright Voting. We organized debates to ascertain the quality of leaders who wanted to govern the State. The church has never shied away from its responsibility. My message is for all humanity”
In his Easter message, the Archbishop said the people of Imo State are living in fear, stating that after the incident at Ngwoma, many Imolites who had kept quite on issues affecting them have began to speak up.
“After the Ngwoma incident, it opened up a doorway for Imolites to express themselves. Now the people have more confidence to speak out”
He said the people of Imo State have the right to speak out for their freedom.
“This is the the time for Imo people to reclaim their freedom from bondage” he said
