Tunji Adedeji
Chief Collins Osuagwu a governorship aspirant of the Social Democratic Party, SDP in Imo for 2019 election has condemned the reported attack on the Owerri Catholic Archdiocese head Archbishop, Anthony Obinna by Suspected loyalists of Governor Rochas Okorocha’s Chief of Staff and son in-law, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu describing it as shameful and ominous signs of what Imolites should expect in 2019 if nothing is done about it.
Chief Osuagwu who criticised the incident that happened on Saturday at St. Micheals Catholic Church, Ngwoma, Owerri North LGA, Imo State during the burial of Late Mrs Mbata, mother of the Pro-Chancellor of Imo State University, Owerri, Chief Alex Mbata, saying that silence in the face of attacks on Archbishop Obinna was not “golden”
He said it is high time the overzealous appointee’s of Gov. Rocha’s Okorochas administration knew that Nigeria remains a secular state and any attempt to turn the state into a refugee camp for Christians will not be acceptable and will be resisted with every lawful means,”
Osuagwu who vowed to defend Archbishop Obinna and other men of God wrongly treated in the cause of discharging their duty described the actions of the clergy as a “mere expression of his fundamental right, which every Nigerian is entitled to”.
According to him,” The last time we checked, Sections 38-41 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) states clearly that every Nigerian is “entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom (either alone or in community with others, and in public or in private) to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance.
“The Constitution states unambiguously that ‘Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference’.
“I wished to seize this platform to advise our youths to always respect God’s ordained. Treating Ministers of God as common criminals is unacceptable to me , Enough is enough Chief ,”Osuagwu roared.
It will be recalled that the cleric alleged that some persons suspected to be APC members had assaulted him during a burial service on Saturday.
Archbishop Obinna speaking to newsmen in the state on Sunday through the Director of Media and Communications of the Owerri Catholic Archdiocese, Rev Fr. George Nwachukwu, claimed that he was “insulted and assaulted by the APC members.”
