Anthony Obinna is not an uncommon name in Nigeria, particularly in Imo State where he acts as the head of the Catholics in Owerri Ecclesiastical Province. The fiery cleric is the popular Archbishop, of Owerri Archdiocese, in the state fondly called, the Eastern Heartland.
Anybody very familiar with happening trends in Imo State cannot deny being acquainted with the radical postures of the revered Catholic priest who spits fire on issues of polity. Unlike other elite men of God in the state who scarcely comment on government, Archbishop Obinna displays joy in juxtaposing religion and governance, in his avowed quest to fight for salvation of souls and material emancipation of his shepherds, from the shackles and manacles of bad leadership. This aspect of Obinna has often pitched him with government of the day.
Since I relocated from Lagos to Owerri to continue my news hunting business, I discovered that Obinna is journalist delight and any of his briefings and sermons at the pulpit makes news for a thoroughbred journalist. Therefore, when the Archbishop takes the centre stage with public address system, newsmen battle with their midgets, cameras and other recording items to get the fearless live and direct.
It was this rare opportunities that journalists in Owerri exploited recently when Obinna decided to once again stir the hornets’’ nest. At a recent mass, celebrated by the Archbishop, he decided to hit the nail at the head concerning the state of finance of Imo State. Against the backdrop of frosty relationship between workers in the state and the Rochas Okorocha government which culminated to a one week warning strike, Obinna fired his traditional salvo of asking a question majority of well meaning Imolites have fail to ponder. In no mistaken manner, the cleric who may have been burdened by plethora of complaints from his church members concerning nonpayment of salaries to civil servants and pensions to retired ones in the state, voiced out by asking the state governor to give a public account of the state`s financial status. Considering the confusion and cacophony of words trailing the condition of Imo treasury since the governor took over for a second term, Obinna’s change was timely.
Apart from the despicable manner government has adopted to explain circumstances surrounding the bailout fund released to states by president Muhammed Buhari, there is widespread suspicion that the Imo State share of the FG`s bailout may have developed k-keg. I remember that in my brief sojourn outside the state, the question whether or not the Imo State share of the Bailout is among those the ones the Chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Abdulaziz Yari of Kebbi State, claimed it was withheld by banks because of debts the affected States owed. While the loquacious Imo State government information unit that had rushed out to always blame a supposed shadowy and ghost opposition for noticeable flaws in Okorocha`s style of governance decided to maintain incriminating silence, Obinna struck with the all important task of asking the Imo governor to give state of account of Imo purse.
Since I am not the Accountant -General of the state and not a signatory to the account, I will still leave the task to concerned persons and authorities to respond. But suffice it to note that Obinnas` pernicious volley to the state government needs an urgent answer for the interest of the famished citizenry, especially the hunger stricken workers owed salary arrears in the state. Apart from government activities grinding to a halt in the state as a result of the warning strike held few weeks ago, discontent voices oozing from the LGAs are unpalatable even as some ministry workers especially those of Agriculture, Health and Judiciary, who have dragged the state government to industrial arbitration panel over slash in their pay packages, it is also on record that several parastatal workers are months behind in salary payments forcing them to plan street begging exercises to drive home their pitiable conditions. The pensioners are also within splitting distances to their graves if the nonpayment of pension arrears persists in Imo. Undoubtedly, this is one of the worst periods in the history of civil service in the state since Nigeria `s nascent democracy debuted. More disturbing is the fact that the LGA workers who have never experienced nonpayment of salaries at the end of every month are at the receiving end of the show. Despite the reduction in salary, government is yet to give them their monthly pay update.
It is for this near anarchy state in the Imo workforce that may have prompted the outspoken cleric to express his view without ambiguity I may not have a special skill to read Obinna`s mindset but elementary telepathy indicates that the Archbishop`s outburst may have been out of his careful observations of political developments in the state. If states with new governors would raise alarm that they met empty treasury left by their predecessors in the new dispensation, what will Okorocha who has been in the saddle since for years present as alibi for the shaky financial condition of Imo? I recall when Okorocha quickly told those who cared to listen to his mind blogging tales that “Imo is rich” and “Imo has money” when he took over in 2011. From his early “I met empty treasury” sermon four years ago to “Imo is rich” later tales, it was assumed that all is well and there is cause for alarm over the state of finance. Except the governor wanted to demonize his predecessors and play to the gallery for public accolades, he owes Nde Imo better explanation as the cleric requested how the financial somersault came up after his “rich state claim” The governor also needs to disclose at what point Imo state departed from the bountiful proceed to paucity of fund that is causing industrial disharmony between it and the workers.
I will not be surprised to once again witness Okorocha`s image handlers and e-rangers cast aspersions on the maverick cleric who have carved a niche for himself in combating misrule in governance. Am surprised that the governor` ego massagers are yet to state that Obinna is acting the script of unscrupulous politicians in the state in this latest task. Am also waiting for the governor`s media witch doctors in their usual display of “escapist tendencies” give Obinna an opposition party card to avoid the moral question thrown at their grand master who ironically bears the sobriquet of “Man of the Masses”
The Obinna I know has not shied away from matters affecting people of the state. I expect those he challenged to take it in good faith for the good of the people. While I don’t want to assume the position of the Bishop`s mouth piece, I am driven by his effervescent zeal to open up on pertinent societal issues, for the sake of God and humanity. Am aware that his struggles transcend the Okorocha era. My first encounter with the Emekuku-born Catholic priest speaks volume of his shrewd quest to get things done the right way. I was part of INEC accredited journalist monitoring the 2003 general elections in Imo. Obinna was to vote at a polling unit inside Owerri Girls premises on Portharcourt road Owerri the state capital. He stood his ground to ensure free and fair voting and almost turned the security officer at the unit. He resisted attempts by interest party agents to mar the conduct. I am also aware that the zeal to challenge unjust conditions in the society propelled him to battle past chief executives of the state who reportedly attempted to deviate from delivering good governance to the people. The Archbishop can also be said be a one-man riot squad when he staged mass protest against military rule during the hey days of Abacha regime. The records of apostles of return of democracy in 1998/99 cannot be written without inclusion of Obinna`s exploits as a Pro NADECO activist.
His toga of the “political bishop” was even earned during the reigns of past governors of Imo State; Achike Udenwa and Ikedi Ohakim. While Udenwa, a catholic avoided the Archbishop`s Assumpta Cathedral abode for a reasonable part of tenure, Ohakim regime was more unfortunate as it was believed that the influential ranking priest was his tormentor-in-chief when he governed the state. How the governorship debate organised by Obinna helped to dim Ohakim`s chances at getting a second chance will be better understood if I have another space in this newspaper to explain the intrigues surround the exercise.
Since becoming governor which pundits also argue was Obinna`s making, Okorocha has not had it rosy with Obinna. After initial romances, when Assumpta Cathedral became his next altar their friendly disposition nose-dived when Obinna resurfaced with his trademark of being on the side of masses in pointing out at ills in governance.
After receiving a bitter pill of the Archbishop`s verbal lashes for alleged deceptive approach to running affairs of the state during a Christ the King in Assumpta, celebration, the brewing animosity culminated into a quasi fist-cuff when some notable Okorocha`s aides clashed with church authorities handling the 2015 version of the Governorship Debate at Assumpta Cathedral. The rest is history. But again Okorocha like his brother Udenwa from Orlu zone decided to answer “Ben Johnson” from Assumpta Cathedral. His post election thanksgiving church service was celebrated in Orlu Diocese of the Catholic Church. Obinna`s recent sermon may sound as a reminder to Okorocha that he may have not called it quit with the solemn role of a watchdog of the people
