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Ugwuanyi absent at podium discussion by Catholic Church

By Lawrence Njoku, Enugu
09 February 2015   |   9:16 pm
A TOP contender in the governorship race in Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), at the weekend failed to attend a debate organised by the three Catholic Dioceses in the state for party candidates in the general elections.   All the candidates of other political parties, however, attended the event tagged…

A TOP contender in the governorship race in Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), at the weekend failed to attend a debate organised by the three Catholic Dioceses in the state for party candidates in the general elections.

  All the candidates of other political parties, however, attended the event tagged “Podium Discussion” held at the Holy Ghost Cathedral of Enugu Diocese.

  Visibly disappointed by the absence of the PDP candidate, Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Callistus Onaga, sounded a note of warning to the absentees, saying that something would happen to them.

  Onaga explained that the essence of the gathering was to bring the electorate and the candidates together so that the candidates could enlighten the electorate on the programmes they have for them if elected.

  “This will enable the electorate to make informed choices when they are voting”, the Bishop said.

  He warned politicians to eschew politics of violence and desist from maligning others when making speeches.

  Onaga further charged them to embrace peace before, during and after the election because only God can choose the leader.

  Speaking at the event, the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Okechukwu Ezea, who was accompanied by his running mate, Mrs. Juliet Ibekaku, said his manifesto presents the best solution to the problems of Enugu State.

  “I know the problem. My contemporaries don’t know the problems. If you look at our posters, you will see our programmes. If you look at their posters, they say ‘Thank you’. For what are they thanking the people of Enugu State when elections have not been conducted?

  “They don’t know how to generate IGR (Internally-Generated Revenue) to augment the monthly allocation from the Federation Account to provide our people with basic infrastructure and social services.

  “Those who didn’t come don’t know the problem. The available resources do not match the numerous problems facing the state in health, education and housing sectors, among others”, Ezea said.

  Earlier, the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Rev. Fr. Donatus Onuigbo, described the podium discussion as part of the mandate of the church.

 According to Onuigbo, apart from spiritual matters, the church should also be part of the process of producing those who would be entrusted with public offices.

  It would be recalled that Ugwuanyi had earlier failed to attend a debate organised by the Nsukka Catholic Diocese for governorship aspirants before the party’s primaries late last year. 

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