• Demands apology from Ngige, ex-gov differs
• PPA candidate, Ezeemo, holds rally in Onitsha
AHEAD of the November 16, 2013, governorship polls in Anambra, a group, the Catholic Youth Awareness, has condemned what it called the incessant manhandling of priests by politicians in the state.
This is coming on the heels of an alleged manhandling of Rev. Father Evaristus Ezeokwonna, the parish priest of St. John’s Catholic Church, Ezinifite, while carrying out his priestly function on October 24, in Nanka by the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr. Chris Ngige’s group, during the burial of the mother of Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor.
The group also demanded a written and published apology from Ngige, but the former governor has refuted the claim, saying that such an incident never occurred.
Meanwhile, the Progressives Peoples Alliance (PPA) candidate in the Anambra State governorship election, Mr. Godwin Ezeemo, yesterday held a rally in Onitsha to present his manifesto.
A statement by chairman of the group, Mr. Benjamin Nnoli, said the apology to the entire Catholic Church should be copied to the bishop, the priest involved and published in two national dailies and the Diocesan newspaper, Fides.
However, the Ngige Campaign Organisation has debunked the allegation, describing what they termed “the Ngige slap tale” as a manifestation of ‘typhoid fever’.
As early as 9 am, thousands of traders, including youths and market women, were already seated at the venue, All Saints Playground, Onitsha, to welcome Ezeemo.
Youth organisations and other professional groups, who had gathered at the venue, defied the scorching sun of the day to catch a glimpse of the PPA candidate.
Speaking to the mammoth crowd, Mr. Godwin Ezeemo urged Anambra people to wipe their tears as he had come to bring positive change if elected governor of the state.
Source: Guardian
