Catholic Bishop of Aba Diocese, Most Rev. Augustine Echema has denied media report that he has endorsed the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State, Chief Okey Ahiwe.
“The speculation that Aba Diocese under my leadership has endorsed the PDP guber candidate for the March 11 election is nothing but outright falsehood. No such endorsement has taken place and none is being considered,” he said.
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Echema stated this in a disclaimer issued in Umuahia, the state capital, saying he had been studying the situation from behind the scenes to understand the motive of the individuals, priests and lay faithful, involved in the report.
“For the purpose of setting the records straight, let me clearly state that at no time did I endorse nor held any meeting where the topic of endorsing any governorship candidate for the 2023 governorship election in Abia State was discussed.
“I find it particularly shocking that the individuals who are actively tarnishing the image of the church in several parishes and communities in the name of active partisanship claim to be acting with my imprimatur.
“They feed unsuspecting faithful in various parishes and groups with lies and had become very much emboldened in the last few weeks, perhaps assuming my silence to mean acquiescence,” he noted.
He said he had taken note of these and the individuals and groups involved and would refer them in due time to the necessary organs of the diocese for more extensive investigations and necessary actions.
“The church as I had insisted on several occasions must constantly stand above the limitations of partisan politics even as it remains the conscience of the society,” he added.
He said the church has left its doors open to all participants in the 2023 electioneering season to come sell their programmes to the people of God.
“We have maintained this informed position since the beginning of the campaigns because the church cannot as a true mother embrace one or few of its children and throw the others into the cold.
“Look objectively at the candidates, their programmes and how their agenda match your expectations of the kind of state you wish to live in,” the cleric added.