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JDPC accuses APC of disrupting Imo governorship debate.

 

The Organizers of the violent Wednesday disrupted Imo State governorship debates, the Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri has condemned the gross indiscipline displayed by members and supporters of various political parties in Imo State.

In a press statement in Owerri at the weekend and jointly signed by its Coordinator, Rev. Father Casmir Nze and Rev. Innocent Osuagwu expressed disappointment the Violent behavior of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government officials and the overt support of the violent behavior of their members.
It would be recalled that last Wednesday political parties and their supporters disrupted the governorship debate organized by JDPC.

The Organizers equally singled out some officials of the state government that unleashed mayhem to the Priests anmd disruption of the forum to include the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Professor Anthony Anwuka, Governor Rochas Okorocha’s in-law, the Chief of Staff, and Chief Jude Ejiogu, Chief Uche Nwosu, Dr. Ihejirika. Mr. Knneth Emelu and Chief Chidi Ibe who are Commissioners of Lands Survey and Urban Development, Health Youths and Sports and Information and Strategy as well as the Special Assistant to the governor on Arts and Culture, Mr. Paddy Obinna, an elder brother to Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev. Anthony Obinna.

According to the organizers, the State government officials invaded the rostrum complaining, accusing and scolding the organizers and demanded for the stoppage of the event.

“Many more of their members jumped into the rostrum and joined in scattering and destroying seats, tables, the lectern public address system, video camer as of the Assumpta Media and other decorations”
“They insulted the priests and other members of the organizing team and particularly the external moderator from Abuja whose eye glasses were snatched off him and smashed. One of the aides physically hit the Assumpta Cathedral Administrator Rev. Fr. G. Onyekwere on the chest who had intervened to shield the external moderator from further attack All this is tantamount to total disrespect for fellow humans and gross decorations of the scared venue of the forum.
” The forum which every candidate or vote has the option to attend or stay away from. There is no obligation whatsoever to attend. Disruption of the forum is not an option for anybody. This is why we find the action whether the APGA, APC, the PDP or any of the other parties unacceptable. The FDPC condemns in the strongest terms the gross indiscipline displayed by the members and supporters of the various political parties. The commission also highly disappointed with the violent behavior of APC government officials present and their over support of the equally violent behavior of their members”

The group expressed concern that the forthcoming elections may not be peaceful, free and credible. “The commission regrets that by such unruly behaviors, Imo State is not ready yet for a credible and Peaceful 2015 election

. The Commission further stated that the smooth conduct of the forum would have assisted the State to lessened the political tension in the State.

The organizers noted that the Commission would not relent in continuing to render services to the society as part of the church contribution to improving the democratic process in the country.

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Ihesiulo Grace

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