…* Obiano condoles with bereaved families…
The Coordinator of the Religious Tolerance Initiative (RTI), an Onitsha based NGO, Brother Chris Eluemuno, has condemned the disruption of All Saints Day Vigil Mass at the Adoration Ministry of St Dominic Catholic church Uke, Anambra State by a group youths suspected to be members of the APC which led to a stampede with 16 persons reported dead and many others injured in the early hours of Friday November 2, 2013.
Brother Eluemuno who addressed journalists at Crown Hospital Nkpor where some injured persons were treated, called on the Anambra people and all persons of goodwill to condemn the current moves by some people he called the “familiar agents of destabilization” to return the state to the dark days that prevailed from 2003 to 2006 before the administration of Governor Peter Obi rescued state from their choking grip.
According to Brother Eluemuno, “I witnessed an attempt by a group of boys at a corner of the ground chanting “Onwa, Onwa,” heckling and interrupting the brief speech by Governor Peter Obi. Things seemed to return to normal after the Governor and his entourage left the venue but not long after, there were loud explosions from bangers and fire-crackers and shouts of “fire, fire” orchestrated by that disruptive group. A stamped began immediately after that and some people were trampled to death. Why are people disrespecting constituted authorities just to score a political point? Is any political office worth the loss of human life?” Brother Eluemuno queried.
Brother Eluemuno also observed that leaders are ordained by God and that any attempt to grab a leadership position by the arm of flesh will not only fail but lead to regrettable consequences. He reminded Anambrarians that the greatest threat to their peace of mind was not poverty or lack but a callous leadership which would stop at nothing to foist itself on the people.
The religious tolerance advocate also observed that Anambra State has enjoyed relative peace in the last seven years due largely to the peaceful and humane disposition of the current administration. He urged politicians across the divide to eschew bitterness and desist from actions that could lead to conflict and senseless violence.
Condoling the bereaved families and the entire Anambrarians, Brother Eluemuno called for special prayers for the repose of the souls lost in the unfortunate stampede on the Adoration Ground.
Meanwhile, APGA’s gubernatorial candidate for the November 16, 2013 governorship election in Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has condoled the families who lost loved ones in the stampede that took place Friday night at the Adoration Ground of the St. Dominic Catholic Church, Uke in Idemili Local Government Area of the state.
16 worshippers allegedly met their untimely death following a stampede caused by an indiscriminate firing of bangers into the air at the venue by a group of youths suspected to be ardent fans of one of the gubernatorial candidates in the state.
Describing the incident as “unfortunate and depressing,” Chief Obiano wondered why politics in the state should degenerate to a level where worshippers no longer feel safe to worship their God in a sacred place as an Adoration Ground.
He implored the bereaved families to take heart assuring them that his thoughts and those of his family are with them in this moment of grief. “I pray the Almighty God to console you and give you the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. God bless you now and always,” Chief Obiano stated.
The APGA flag-bearer however urged his fellow contestants to eschew the current politics of bitterness and acrimony in the state and embrace civilized practices that would create room for a peaceful conduct of the coming election in the state.