The archbishop of Owerri Catholic archdiocese, Valentine Obinna who was attacked on Saturday during a funeral service likened his ordeal to that of the experience Christ went through prior to his crucifixion.
He went further to declare the perpetrators as loyalists to the Imo State Government.”
The burial ceremony had several APC members in the entourage of the First Lady of the Imo state governor, Nkechi Okorocha. Other lessons included chief of staff to the governor, Uche Nwosu; Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Acho Ihim.
During the service it was reported that some commissioners walked up to the altar and interrupted the speech of the archbishop which in their opinion was casting aspersions on the State and it’s government.
The fracas which occurred at Saint Michael’s Catholic Church, Ngwoma-Obube in the Owerri North Local Government Area was ironically during a requiem mass for the mother of Mr. Alex Mbata.
A source at the church service, Wilson Okeke gave his own side of the story regarding the altercation.
“The archbishop was not the one who celebrated the mass. It was the parish priest.
“The archbishop was only making a speech at the end of the mass, just before the benediction. It was at this point that the assault happened.”
“While the archbishop was talking, a member of the APC, Chris Ekwueme, subtly interjected him by saying that there were also good roads constructed by the state government.”
Apparently APC members who were in attendance at the even requested permission to speak, but the prelate allegedly refused.
“This led to a protest, and some Reverend Fathers intervened and aided the archbishop to complete his speech before the benediction was said,” added Okeke.
We have left it in the hands of God. The assault to the church and the archbishop was very painful, provocative and highly unwarranted; but we have resolved to press no charges but to leave it in the hands of God.”
On the flip side media aide to the chief of staff to the governor, Chikezie was at the service , told our correspondent that APC members were not to blame for what transpired.
Nwadike accused the PDP member who turned the event to a political rally arena. He denied that the archbishop was assaulted by APC members.
Leave a Reply