CHIGOZIE AMADI
Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to pray for politicians for them to use the public funds for development and the good of the people.
Obi made the plea yesterday at the funeral service of the late Cecilia Omehia, mother of the former governor of Rivers State, Celestine Omehia, at St Theresa’s Catholic Church, Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The former presidential candidate, who attended the funeral service alongside other political bigwigs in the country, stressed the need for politicians to work together for the common good of the people.
Appreciating the officiating Bishop, Most Rev Patrick Eluke, Auxiliary Bishop of Port Harcourt Diocese for his advice to politicians, Obi said: “My Lordship, I thank you for the kind advice you have given to us. It is important that we work together for the good of our people.
“Pray for us, politicians. Let God touch our hearts to use public funds for public good.”
Earlier in his remarks, Bishop Eluke advised politicians to promote peace in the state, noting the rate of unemployment and suffering in the country.
He expressed sadness over the political crisis in the state, saying that progress and development cannot thrive in an unsafe state.
“My brother there, Uche Secondus, Austin Opara, Lee Maeba, you are very old politicians of Rivers State; you have been together and worked together. For me, that is life, even if you make new friends tomorrow, the old friends are your true friends.
“Sometimes, when you go to other states, once the election is over, governance begins. But it is not like that in Rivers State. I don’t know if it is because there is too much money here. I think that if we are one of these states that depend on federal allocation, we will not be behaving like this.
“All of you are in this same church, praying to the same God. Let us come together and help our state. Let us live in peace and create employment. Our youths are suffering. Please, do whatever you can do.”
The bishop continued: “There is hunger in the land. Those of you who are around the governor, try to give him good advice so that he can listen. It is not people going there in the name of prayer. I want to ask you to help us so that we can live well in Rivers State.
“Our people are hungry; our people are dying. If the state is not safe, you can’t come here. I can walk around anytime but you cannot move. Please, help us to make the state worth living in”.
He described the late Cecilia Omehia as a woman who lived a fulfilled life as a Christian and a mother.
Meanwhile, in his sermon, Rev Fr Polycarp Ihenetu cautioned supporters of politicians against inciting a crisis in the state in the name of showing loyalty to their paymasters.
Ihenetu also advised supporters of politicians to develop their careers and skills so that if they are appointed or elected, they will have direction in their leadership.
He said: “Politicians please, do not play with our lives, allow governance to take place so that the people can effectively harvest the dividends of democracy.
“I call on all the stakeholders in the project Rivers State to examine themselves and shield their swords and work for peace, unity and common good of the people.”
“For the young men and women who do not have jobs but their business is to rally around politicians, I want to tell you that politics is not an occupation. So, go and look for what to do; you are not employed.”
