“Fake news, half-baked truths”: Nigerian Diocese on Claims Clergy Endorsed Candidate

In the October 13 report, The Sun Newspaper indicates that “at a prayer session in Chief Chukwu’s home, the Catholic Priests and the Reverend Sisters from Okigwe were in agreement that Governor Uzodimma has acquitted himself well and deserves to be returned to the office in November 11 to continue with the good work he has been doing in Imo State.”

“No less than 1000 of the priests and Reverend Sisters turned up for the exercise,” the report reads in part, and continues, “Chief Chukwu had remained a pillar of support to both the Catholic and Anglican Communion in Okigwe zone where he comes from and has continued to use his resources for the benefit of both faiths.”

In the October 23 disclaimer, Fr. Iwuanyanwu recounts, “The truth was that Priests and religious from the Catholic Diocese of Okigwe and other neighboring dioceses alongside a number of Anglican clergymen were invited to a thanksgiving Ceremony by Chief Sir Tony Chukwu.” 

“The Governor of Imo State and his entourage were also in attendance. After the Thanksgiving Mass, the Governor requested to have an audience with the priests, religious and Anglican clergymen who were present and he addressed them on the state of affairs in the state. Afterwards, there were few questions from the audience on some of the challenges confronting the state, which he responded to before the audience dispersed,” the Catholic Church leader recounts

The Chancellor of Okigwe Diocese further says, “Let it be known that some aides and media houses for reasons best known to them can frame up things to deceive the general public.”

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“How the issue of endorsement and praying for the re-election of the Governor came about remains unimaginable and such unfounded accusation is unacceptable to the priests and religious of the Catholic Diocese of Okigwe,” Fr. Iwuanyanwu says.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.