As the presidential candidate of the Labor Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi has implored Nigerians to pray for politicians so that they will be pushed to use public resources for the development and welfare of the people.
Obi made the plea yesterday during 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.
The former presidential candidate who attended the funeral service along with other political leaders in the country noted that politicians must work together for the common good of the people.
He appreciated the officiating Bishop, Rev. Patrick Eluke, Auxiliary Bishop of Port Harcourt Diocese, for his advice to politicians, saying: “Your Honor, I thank you for the kind advice you have given us. It is important that we work together for the well-being of our people.
“Pray for us, politicians. Let God touch our hearts to use public resources for the public good.”
Earlier in his remarks, Bishop Eluke advised politicians to promote peace in the state, noting the unemployment and suffering in the country.
The Bishop expressed sadness over the political crisis in the state, saying progress and development cannot thrive in an insecure 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’s life, even if you make new friends tomorrow, the old friends are your real friends.
“Sometimes when you go to other states, governance starts as soon as the elections are over. But it is not like that in Rivers State. I don’t know if it’s because there’s too much money here. I think if we are one of the states hoping for federal allocation, we won’t behave that way.
“You are all members of the same church and pray to the same God. Let’s come together and help our state. Let’s live in peace and create jobs. Our young people are suffering. Please do what 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. They are not people who go 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 starving, our people are dying. If the state is not safe, you cannot come here. Me, I can walk around at any time, but you can’t move. Please help us make the state worth living in.”
He described the late Cecilia Omehia as a woman who lived a fulfilled life as a Christian and as an other.
Meanwhile, Father Polycarp Ihenetu in his sermon warned supporters of politicians against instigating a crisis in the state in the name of showing loyalty to their paymaster.
Fr Ihenetu, who advised supporters of politicians to develop their careers so that if they are appointed or elected, they will have direction in their leadership, said the state needs peace and not unrest.
He said: “Politicians please don’t play with our lives, let governance take place so that the people can effectively reap the fruits of democracy.
“I call on all stakeholders in the Rivers State project to examine themselves, protect their swords and work for peace, unity and general welfare of the people.
For the young men and women who don’t have a job, but their job is to rally around politicians, I want to say that politicians are not a profession. So go and see what you have to do, you are not employed. Insofar as you do not influence politics directly or indirectly, except to deceive politicians.
“I have argued that they are the ones who are ready to fight because of the little peanut they get. They are the ones who are willing to defeat politics by exhausting themselves. None of those in the conflict can see each other and fight. Normally they shake hands, romance each other and go.”
Political dignitaries at the funeral service include the state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, former Minister of Transport, Chibuike Amaechi, former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, former Director General of NIMASA, to the side of Dakuku Peter, and others.
Bless Ibunge in Port Harcourt
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