the hairs breath, while some of his priests were seriously beaten
yesterday, when political thugs, suspected to be working for the All
Progressives Congress (APC), disrupted a political debate organized by
the Catholic Church. The debate, which was to take place at the Maria
Assumpta Cathedral premises, witnessed a large turn-out of supporters
of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as well as those of the All
Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). They were however attacked by
rampaging thugs who also destroyed the altar of the cathedral and
chairs set out for candidates. The attack abruptly ended the debate as
candidates of the PDP and APGA, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha and Capt. Emmanuel
Iheanacho respectively, were hurriedly whisked away to safety by
security operatives. As early as 7am Wednesday morning, students of
the Imo State University and Imo State Polytechnic, Government
College, Emmanuel College, Government Technical College, New Owerri
Boys' Secondary School, Development Secondary School, all in Owerri
appeared in their uniforms and took positions to observe the debate.
Also APC women, most of who came in Catholic Women Organisation (CWO)
uniforms as well some widows in mourning clothes, were also around.
Trouble, however, started when the widows started singing solidarity
songs such as "onye ahu kuru Umunwanyi isi mkpe ihe, o gaghi achi anyi
ozo (meaning, the man that beat up widows will never govern us again)"
and "ka o puo (meaning, let him leave)". The women also brandished red
cards and raised them to the air to indicate that their assailant had
been sent off the field. This did not go down well with the APC women
and youths as they went after the widows and started manhandling them.
The state commissioner for Information, Engr. Chidi Ibe was seen in a
very serious scuffle with a PDP chieftain, Nze Law Biaduo This
situation also escalated as some government officials led by one of
the governor's senior aides and a member of the state house of
assembly from Orlu Zone, started destroying the altar and the seats
set for the candidates.This is even as the administrator of the
Archdiocese, one Rev. Fr. Gerald and some other priests were
manhandled and thrown down from the altar, while some PDP loyalists
wearing President Goodluck Jonathan and Emeka Ihedioha branded clothes
were attacked and torn to shreds. At this point, the crowd which had
been waiting patiently for the arrival of the Archbishop to the arena
at the cathedral, scampered to safety while some people from outside
jumped into the nearest vehicles and tricycles and drove off. As this
was going on, the rampaging youths who called Archbishop Obinna
unprintable names, threatened to deal with him if he came for
spearheading campaigns against Governor Okorocha. This, it was
gathered, caused the Archbishop to stay indoors.
He however was led to the altar by the state Police Public Relations
Officer, Andrew Enwerem (DSP) and a team of police officers to see the
extent of damages after the parties had left. He declined comments
when approached to talk by journalists. Speaking however with
journalists, the coordinator of the Justice Development and Peace
Commission of the Archdiocese which organized the debate, Rev. Fr. Dr.
Casmir Nze described the incident as very fortunate and a blessing in
disguise because it helped the church and the people to now know who
should not govern the state by May 29, 2015. He stated that from the
act of the sponsors of the mayhem, it was their intention to disrupt
the debate. The priest denied the insinuations that the Archbishop
could not come out to the venue of the debate because of the death
threat on him by the youths, saying he had only been waiting for a
signal to be given to him before he could appear. When asked whether
the state government did anything to stop the fracas, the priest
expressed disappointment that the government "was aloof while the
brigandage lasted". He could not also understand why some secondary
schools in the state could be closed by the state government just for
them to attend a debate that was meant for people of voting age.
While commiserating with the victims of the fracas, Fr. Nze therefore
announced that the debate had been postponed indefinitely. Speaking
with journalists, the PDP governorship candidate, Chief Ihedioha said,
--africanheraldexpress:
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