Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi has begged Nigerians to pray for politicians so they will be touched to use the public funds for the development and good of the people.
Obi made the plea yesterday, at the funeral service of 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.
The former presidential candidate who attended the funeral service alongside other political bigwigs in the country, noted 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 advise to politicians, he 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 heart to use public funds for public good”.
Earlier in his remarks, Bishop Eluke advised politicians promote peace in the state, noting the rate of unemployment and suffering in the country.
The Bishop 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, 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 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 hope 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 that “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. Me 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 nother.
Meanwhile, in his sermon, Fr Polycarp Ihenetu cautioned supporters of politicians against inciting crisis in the state in the name of showing loyalty to their pay master.
Fr Ihenetu who advised supporters of politicians to develop their career, skill so if they are appointed or elected, they will have direction in their leadership, saud the state need peace and not unrest.
He said “Politicians please, do not play with our lives, allow governance to take place so that the people can harvest effectively 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 politicians is not an occupation. So go and look for what to do, you are not employed. In so far as you are not influencing the politics directly or indirectly, except to run around politicians.
“I made this case they are the one who are ready to fight because of the little peanut given to them. They are the ones who are ready to hit up the politics by quarrying among themselves. Non of those who are in the conflict can see each other and fight, they will normally shake hands, romance each other and go.”
Political dignitaries at the funeral service include the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, former National Chairman of the People Democratic Party (PDP) Prince Uche Secondus, former Director General of NIMASA, Dakuku Peter side, others.
Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
Follow us on:
