The attention of the Take Back Imo Campaign Organization of Distinguished Senator Athan Achonu, has been drawn to a purported desperate second term endorsement of Gov Hope Uzodinma by the highly respected Laity Council of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Catholic Church, and indeed the body of Christ in Imo State are critical stakeholders in the quest for principled and excellent leadership as well as the beacon of morality and spirituality in the affairs of every society.

To be honest, to a laudable level, the Catholic family and the body of Christ in our dear Imo State, have strove to fulfill that onerous and honorific role expected of it especially in keeping away from fouled politics and standing on a hallowed pedestal to illuminate society with truth without fear or favour.

This is why we were compelled to take with a pinch of salt the trending story of the purported endorsement of Gov Hope Uzodinma by the Catholic Laity last Monday as published by Vanguard Newspaper. Though some of the reportage of the meeting we have read seemed to directly allude to the possibility that, that may have happened, we are also mindful of the unfortunate scourge of brown envelope journalism, which has reduced the noble profession to a cash and carry profession.

In fact, we are inclined to think that in his now undisguised do or die desperation to win a clearly undeserving and unmerited second term in office, the governor and his media hirelings may have twisted what transpired at the parley out of context, just to score cheap and ugly political goal.

That notwithstanding, the issue at hand right now is not whether or not the failed and outgoing desperate administration twisted the event to score ephemeral political goal; rather the real worry at the moment is that the air is badly fouled, with accusing fingers being pointed in the direction of the Catholic Church.

Given this unfortunate scenario, it’s the considered position of our campaign organization that, the highest hierarchy of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri, should take decisive steps to effectively deodorize the putrid stench, that has attended the purported endorsement.

There is therefore an urgent need for the church which enjoys an unblemished reputation as the frontline defender of truth, justice, fairness and equity in the state, since the dawn of the 4th republic, to publicly wash its hands off this potentially injurious controversy.

We earnestly wish and pray the Catholic Church and indeed, the body of Christ in our dear state, continue to live above board, and by that help hold public office holders accountable to the electorate. This way the enormous confidence, trust and goodwill they enjoy from Imolites would remain unshaken.

Chibuikem Diala
Director, Media & Publicity
Senator Athan Achonu Campaign Organisation
6/9/23