By Halimatu Mohammed
Imo State chairman of the Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP) Honourable Chibuike Nwachukwu has called on the youths in the state to shun every act of violence and not allow themselves to be used as thugs by desperate politicians.
The ever busy gentleman who spoke to Armadanews.com in Heathrow London urged “Ndi Imo” to be tolerant in reacting, particularly to comments or observations credited to clergymen of reputable hierarchy.
Nwachukwu responded to questions on recent incident in Imo State where political thugs were said to have challenged and insulted a very respected Catholic Archbishop Anthony J .V. Obinna during a pulpit advise on the perceived bad governance of the state by the Rochas Okorocha-led administration.
“The attention of Imo State ANRP has been drawn to the alleged ugly and sacrilegious incident that occurred last Saturday, March 3, 2018 at the funeral mass of late Lolo Ezinne Eziada Juliana Mbata.
“It is evidence that Archbishop AJV Obinna incurred the wrath of some alleged incensed Imo government officials in company of the wife of the Imo State Governor, Her Excellency, Nneoma Okorocha and the Chief of Staff to the Government, Uche Nwosu who almost created pandemonium inside the church, insulting and threatening to physically assault AJV Obinna when they made move to grab his microphone,” he said.
The Imo State ANRP described the alleged act “as totally unacceptable, condemnable and reprehensible,” while also suing for peace among the aggrieved parties.
Nwachukwu urged politicians to adorn the templates of tolerance wherever they find themselves, most especially in places of worship and sanctuary of God which he insisted, is a highly revered place.
“The person of Archbishop Obinna is a highly respected man of God and a senior citizen of our state. He should be treated with all measure of respect that his office deserves. The leadership of ANRP at all levels condemns this act in its entirety. The people of Imo State are basically Christians and understand the implications of desecrating the alter of God,” Nwachukwu added.