There are strong indications that the present administration in Imo state may have indulged in self-destruction by signing into law, Law No 12 of 2012, which is geared towards eliminating violence in private and public life and other matters connected thereto, have emerged, as Catholic clerics led by Archbishop Anthony Obinna, Anglican Bishop, Pentecostal Churches and Imo citizens are poised for a showdown against the State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha and Members of the Imo State House of Assembly following a recent revelation by Trumpeta Newspapers that a part of the Law Section 40 (G) & (I) contains contentious clauses that propagate abortion. Thunderous responses from all quarters have joined forces to condemn the obnoxious law which has been given assent to by the State Governor.
In separate forum, concerned stakeholders in the state regarded as inhuman and devilish the section of the law which states “Every woman shall have the right to enjoy reproductive rights including the right to medical abortion in cases of sexual assault, rape, incest and where the continued pregnancy endangers the life or the physical, mental, psychological or emotional health of the mother”
Meanwhile, The Catholic community rose in unison last Friday to condemn the legalization of Abortion in Imo State, just as it declared that it has no grudges against the Okorocha administration.
Speaking to newsmen in Owerri, the Catholic Archbishop said it is not true that he is personally opposed to Governor Rochas Okorocha, saying the church is only bent on opposing bad policies.
“The church had taken tough stance against past governments, including military governments. The church has always been interested in public affairs and matters. We stood against the military government when they wanted to fuse the College of Agriculture at Umuagwo with IMSU. As a social scientist, I will always be interested in public issues” Archbishop Obinna stated.
The Bishop also denied claims in some quarters that he masterminded the ascendancy of Rochas Okorocha as Governor of Imo State in 2011.
“I never initiated his emergence as governor of Imo State, but the Church will continue to be interested in issues and evolving trends. I will always align myself with such trend.
During Ohakim’s era, we saw the trend and we will always align with such trend. I am not involved in any political party dynamics in his environment. I cannot shy away from politicking. I will continue to be interested on what goes on in the society”, the Catholic Archbishop declared.
Archbishop Obinna, who spoke on the controversial Law No. 12 of 2012, said that the law by its provision legalized abortion in Imo State.
He stated “From what I understand from that section, if a pregnant woman feels uncomfortable over pregnancy, she can abort the baby even at the ninth month. That is murder. The Law is a room to encourage abortion and it should be repealed immediately. Abortion is evil”.
In a related development, Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Egbu, Rt Rev Geoffrey Okorafor, has described the Pro-abortion bill recently signed into Law by the Governor of Imo State as a sin against God as far as the church is concerned. He averred that Imo State is entirely a Christian state and advised both the Government and the Legislature to guard against betraying the confidence the people have in them.
He explained that by the Law they were promoting and legalizing prostitution, warning that it should not be.
Meanwhile, barring any unforeseen circumstances, Governor Rochas Okorocha will tomorrow explain the involvement of his administration in the on-going law saga that is tearing the state apart.
Trumpeta gathered that church leaders from the Catholic, Anglican and Pentecostal families were expected at the event. Where the governor will explain his stand on the law.
As palpable tension rises in Imo State over the passing into law of right to commit abortion by the Imo State House of Assembly and assented by Governor Okorocha. A Catholic Priest, Rev Fr Alex Okoro, the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Mother Parish, Emekuku, Owerri North, has said that Governor Okorocha is an anarchist and anti-democratic having intentionally legalized abortion in Imo State, an act against God, nature and humanity.
At a Eucharistic service on 1st September 2013, at our Lady of Mount Carmel Mother Parish Emekuku, Fr Okoro maintained that the legalization of the termination of unborn baby by the governor and his cohorts is “tragedy with good intention. Abortion is nothing but murder. To legalize abortion is to legalize murder”.
The clergy emphatically said “now in Imo state the people are afraid of Owelle, so there is anarchy. I think Owelle has won his last election in Imo. No Catholic with good conscience will vote for him again”, Fr Okorocha said.
He however quoted Benjamin Franklin of Britain who said “when the people fear the government, there is anarchy, but if the government fears the people there is democracy”, he concluded.
Fr. Okoro charged Catholic faithful to always be humble and fear God in truth and in spirit and also love and forgive one another to merit God’s love at all time. He thanked the CWO for their successful August home and abroad meeting of 2013.
