WHAT ARCHBISHOP OBINNA SAID TO UCHE NWOSU

His Grace Anthony Obinna, the Archbishop of Owerri, has no
apology for saying that Imo State needs a seasoned administrator
to govern it and not Uche Nwosu. “What we need is a
democratically elected Governor and not a handpicked successor”.
The Archbishop also has no regrets in saying that Governor
Okorocha cannot succeed himself and that pushing for his son-in-
law, Ugwunba Uche Nwosu, to replace him is an indirect way of
doing that, which is unacceptable. That was basically the
beginning of what caused the fracas at a funeral mass at St
Michael’s Catholic Church, Ngwoma, Saturday 3rd of March. Party
supporters loyal to Governor Okorocha and Uche Nwosu, his son-
in-law, caused mayhem and pandemonium at that funeral Mass,
following the Archbishop’s comment and two responses
apparently from an APC and PDP supporter. Then hell was let
loose.
Speaking to the congregation which included Uche Nwosu and the
Governor’s wife, Nkechi, His Grace condemned the idea of
imposing a candidate on the people, and urged the faithful to
register and arm themselves with their voter’s card, for next year’s
election. “You cannot impose anyone on the people. Your vote will
decide. We have become miserable. Imo is now an empty basket.
Rebuilding Imo State and restoring its dignity is a challenge. Get
your voter’s card. Let us vote for mature, responsible citizens who
will serve the people not dominate them,” the Archbishop said. His
Grace also said, “Imo needs a seasoned technocrat who will right
the wrongs and correct several anomalies and hardship inflicted on
the people by the present administration and not the Governor’s
stooge who lacks the experience and maturity needed for such
exalted office. It is wrong to impose his son-in-law. Imo needs a
seasoned administrator, not Uche!” The Archbishop emphasised
that the Governor could not replace himself and imposing his son-
in-law on the people was wrong. He strongly advised the people to
register, get their permanent voter’s cards (PVC) and prepare to
use their votes to get their desired candidate.
The Archbishop’s advice follows a decision of the Catholic Bishops
Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) for the church to help end people’s
apathy towards voting by encouraging the faithful to register and
be prepared to exercise their civic responsibility. While the
Archbishop was speaking at the mass, two other men who raised
their hands were allowed to speak. One of them, obviously a
supporter of Governor Okorocha, defended the Governor saying he
was doing well. The second speaker, however, spoke against the
Governor, saying that there was much poverty and pain in the land,
demanding a change of government in the next election. It was at
that point that APC supporters went berserk. The Bishop was not
physically assaulted but he was insulted.
Meanwhile, a communiqué issued by the Restoration Coalition, a
group from the All Progressive Party (APC), Imerienwe in Ngor
Okpala, L.G.A, condemned what they called the “clandestine
endorsements”, indiscriminate adoption and wanton “anointments”
of certain elements in the APC. “It is quite disturbing that these
endorsements obtained by blackmail, coercion and intimidation are
taking place in the hallowed orbit of the Imo State Government
House under the watch of the Governor. We are embarrassed
because this theatre of absurdity, as we have confirmed, has the
full backing and financial muscles of Imo State Government as the
person being endorsed, one Chief Uche Nwosu, his son-in-law, is
also his serving chief of staff. As a matter of fact, this is an
anomaly and points to a dangerous and destructive party politics of
APC in Imo State,” the Coalition also said.