Anambra stampede: CAN bans campaign in churches

[Mirror]

• APC asks Obi, Umeh to accept responsibility

The South-East chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has banned political campaigns in churches across the zone. CAN took the decision following the stampede that occurred at the weekend at the Catholic Church Adoration at Uke, Anambra State. No fewer than 30 people were reported dead and many others injured in the incident.

CAN, however, asked the Federal Government to immediately set up a panel of inquiry to investigate the remote causes of the incident, stressing that the committee set up by Anambra State Governor Peter Obi to investigate it was wrong as the governor could not be a judge in his own case.

CAN Chairman in the South-East and the Bishop of Enugu Anglican Diocese, Revd Emmanuel Chukwuma, told journalists yesterday in Enugu that the association is worried by the way politicians storm churches these days to campaign.

Chukwuma said: "The tragic incident in Anambra State is of great concern to CAN, the association sympathises with victims' relatives. "It is my own duty as CAN Chairman in the South-East to ban all politicians from attending our churches with their political teams for campaigns.

The church should also stay clear of partisan politics because there are different kinds of people in the church that belong to different political parties. "So, it is wrong to come into the church and begin to talk about manifestos and begin to campaign. It is not going to be acceptable anymore because it causes commotion and disrespect to one another.

"We appeal to priests, pastors, bishops, clergymen to please avoid politicians coming to use churches as campaign arena. This does not augur well for our spiritual growth. "We, therefore, urge the Federal government to set up investigation panel to find out what actually happened because we feel very much worried.

Since the state government is involved, I think there should a neutral body for the investigation." Describing as worrisome the way "the way things are going in Anambra," the Bishop urged the people of the state not to allow themselves to be bought over by moneybags.

He said: "They should be very clear on whom they want to rule the state and the wish of God should be upheld. So, we hereby appeal to politicians to stay clear of our churches so that peace can reign and people should be allowance to vote for candidates of their choice. The mandate of the people must be respected in the coming election."

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday asked Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, to accept responsibility for the stampede.

In a statement made available to journalists by its South-East Zonal Publicity Secretary, Osita Okechukwu, the party commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives and the injured. The party urged the families to accept its heartfelt condolences and take solace that their beloved people died in the house of God. APC, however, accused Obi and Umeh of playing blame games with lives of innocent citizens, instead of being remorseful and apologetic.

The party said: "We are challenging His Excellency, the Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi and the National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, to candidly apologise to the families of the bereaved and the good people of Anambra State for their political desperado, hence extension of their campaign to the holy adoration ground. "We are outraged that instead of being remorseful and apologetic, Governor Obi and Chief Umeh are playing blame games with lives of innocent citizens.

"We are also alarmed with Chief Umeh's call for Senator Chris Ngige's arrest. We detest the do-ordie posture Chief Umeh is adopting in the campaign. Our understanding is that adoration ground is for spiritual uplifting, renewal, meditation and communion with God.

Also, our findings showed that Governor Obi, in his previous attendance, never gave a speech in the adoration ground. "Governor Obi we know is a well-bred Catholic and humble person, who never offered to make speech in such holy gathering. "Adoration ground is not a wedding service. Therefore, if not for political desperado what necessitated the governor's campaign speech at the adoration ground?"