“Federal allocations to Imo State, as well as internally generated revenues, belong to the people of the state and not personal income of the Governor, which he can use the way he likes”.

“So, bearing this in mind, the Governor ought to run an inclusive government; carrying everybody along”.

These were the words of the Most Rev. Anthony Obinna, Catholic Archbishop of Owerri at Assumpta Cathedral Owerri during a concelebrated Mass to mark the Feast of Christ the King/Corpus Christi procession, Nov. 24.

Archbishop Obinna said the people of Imo State had hoped that Governor Okorocha’s administration would be an inclusive one but so far, that doesn’t seem to be the case.

He therefore advised the Governor “to have inclusive mentality with the resources of the state, by carrying everybody along”.

Incidentally, Governor Okorocha, his wife Nkechi and members of the Executive Council were present at the Mass and listened to the sermon.

The Archbishop expressed regret over Governor Okorocha’s refusal to support mission schools and hospitals and advised him to borrow a leaf from neighbouring Anambra State, where Governor Peter Obi has been financially supportive of both government-run and mission-run schools and hospitals.

“If you go to the mission hospital at Ihiala, Anambra State you’ll not believe your eyes.  It has been so transformed that you will not recognize it.  Same with Uli Girls Secondary School.  But here in Imo State, the Governor has so far refused to give attention to our schools and hospitals”

Nigerian leaders, he said should be conscious of the fact that leadership is not an end, it is service.

“So, Governors should see themselves as temporary servants to give glory to God and joy to mankind”.

Making reference to the Anambra State gubernatorial election which was declared inconclusive by INEC, Archbishop Obinna condemned the desperation in becoming Governor in Nigeria, describing it as “a

miserable struggle to acquire power and money, forgetting that “we are only pilgrims on earth”.

He expressed fear that  the same desperation rocking the Anambra polls will also play out in Imo State in 2015, adding that the signal is already in the air.

Archbishop Obinna decried  billions of Naira our politicians spend on election, noting that the amount would have been used to do better things than wasting it in rigging and corrupting people.

He hopes that Nigerians, during the National Dialogue, will devise a new way of electing our leaders because according to him, the current Western, European capitalistic way is destroying our society because we don’t have enough resources.  He noted that when one goes into governance or service without paying for it, one uses his entire energy and blood to serve the people.  He recalled that when he was appointed bishop, he did not pay a kobo to be so appointed.

Reflecting on the readings, Archbishop Obinna said all of us, bishops, priests, religious, politicians, men and women are under obligation to allow Christ to reign in our lives. “This is the challenge of today”, he said.  He called on the faithful to meditate on the supremacy of Christ over everyone of us as we process on the road, so that we will rise higher and higher in the ladder of eminence and goodness.

Our Associate Editor, Emeka Ani said, Governor Rochas Okorocha, his wife Nkechi, the Secretary to the State Government (SGI), Prof. Anthony Anwukah and members of the State Executive Council joined the two hour procession from Assumpta Cathedral to the Villa Maria, Wetheral Road, where the celebration ended with a Benediction.

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