The Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, Enugu Ecclesiastical Province, Most Reverend Dr. Emmanuel Olisah Chukwuma, has made a quick turn around, saying that he is and has always been ‘Obi-dient’, a slogan for supporters of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Gregory Onwubuasi Obi.
Recall that Archbishop Chukwuma recently was quoted as lashing out at the candidates and supporters of the Labour Party, purportedly saying that Enugu State people would never be part of their “Obidients” mantra.
Chukwuma made the remarks while speaking last week at Eziokwe Village, Ndiagu Akpugo, Nkanu West local government area of Enugu State during the burial ceremony of a former Military Administrator of Osun and Abia states, Colonel Anthony Obi (rtd).
He stressed that political parties should refine their paths with people-oriented programmes that could lift the country out of poverty.
He said: “Let me say this in clear terms: we are not Obidient in Enugu State, and we’ll never be.
“The people of the state are under an umbrella and better off with the PDP. Our people should vote for the PDP in Enugu State.
“The parties in Nigeria must go and refine themselves and prepare for a better Nigeria”.
In an unexpected twist, however, the clergyman suddenly threw support for the former Anambra State Governor.
Speaking on Political Voices, a political affairs programme, Tuesday morning, he made it clear that at national level, they are ‘Obi-dient’ to Labour party but at Enugu State they are obidient to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Talking to enemies of “Obi-dient Mantra’, Archbishop Chukwuma described as effortless exercise the attempt by those uncomfortable with the popularity of the Labour Party presidential candidate and told them not to use his name to de-market the candidate.
Chukwuma said in Enugu yesterday that it was on record that he has been supporting and promoting the Obidient Mantra and even had it written down in his Synod address a month ago.
He reiterated his call for a new Nigeria, insisting that Nigerians cannot afford to witness another set of bad leadership in 2023.
He added that the Labour Party candidate, in whom the mantra “Obidient” is personified, has shown integrity, capability and honest concern for the poor Nigerian masses as well desire to take the country out of its present woes.
Chukwuma said at the nick of time, Nigerians would elect leaders that would uplift the people from the suffering they were currently passing through under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government.
Noting that APC and PDP have nothing new to offer, he stated categorically that he was not against Obi as both of them were friends.
He explained that while he supports ‘Obi-dient’ nationwide so Peter Obi will emerge the next President, politicians should be able to win people to their side rather than think they could hide under Obidient mantra to win elections.
He said: “There is no doubt that I said, both Atiku and Tinubu are expired and they have no new things to offer us.
“And I talked about being Obidient nationally, but the situation is that living in Enugu and seeing what has happened in the past years when PDP has been in power for years and other parties have not surfaced until now.
“Enugu as it is has been so entrenched into PDP and one wonders how Obident will work in governorship and legislative elections.
“I totally support Obidient nationally, but state-wise, I’m talking about the personalities in the state, and I do know that those in the state that are not corrupt will be endorsed and voted by us….everybody have their own conscience and rights to vote or express themselves.
“We’re praying that the right people under God will come up in this nation to vie for position that will make Nigeria to be better.
“Let it be clear to Nigerians that, I’m not against Peter Obi and I’m not against ‘Obi-dient’ nationally, but state-wise, Obidient may not work because it is going to be a matter of personality and not a matter of party and again.
“Obidient is Peter Obi personified; nobody in the state is Peter Obi so it may not be possible for you to say states can be Obidient like Enugu, because it depends on the strength, structure and the power of the party in government particularly the incumbency.
“So I want us to please get it clear, all those who have been writing things against me should note that by the grace of God, nobody has settled me and nobody can settle me, I’ve not received money from anybody.
“I’m only expressing myself with what I’ve observed and seen,” he stressed.