The gap between Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, Dr. Anthony Obinna, widened, yesterday, as the Governor accused the cleric of engaging in partisan politics.
Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, Dr. Anthony Obinna Okorocha, who was fielding questions from journalists in Owerri, also accused the archbishop of being a member of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.
He said: “Archbishop Obinna once confirmed to me that he was an APGA loyalist. I advised him to distance himself from partisan politics.” While urging the cleric to steer clear of partisan politics, the governor, however, insisted that “the archbishop is getting too deep into partisan politics.”
Okorocha recalled a recent incident when Archbishop Obinna was called to pray at a function and he started asking the government to pay retirees their arrears of pension and workers salaries. He advised the archbishop to pray for people in authority and the government, rather than saying inciting prayers. Answering a question on the reports emanating from the rerun polls in Rivers State, Okorocha commended Governor Nyesom Wike for putting up a dogged fight. “I commend Governor Wike for doing everything possible to secure his position. He put up a good fight,” Okorocha said.
The governor was happy that the All Progressives Congress, APC, grabbed a senatorial seat, as well as some seats in the House of Representatives and the state Assembly.
