*Appoints Apostle Dr Chuks Alozie as Committee Chairman
From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia
Abia State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has set up a seven-man committee to conduct its modified debate for the 18 governorship candidates in the state, with Apostle Dr Chuks Alozie as Chairman
In a statement made available to newsmen in Umuahia, the Abia State capital and which was signed by the CAN State Secretary, Engr. Dr. Okechukwu Mgbeahuru, the body charged the Committee to be neutral in the discharge of their assignment.
Under the modified arrangement, The Abia State 2023 Governorship Candidates would now interface with the Organizing Committee rather than gather together for a debate.
Abia CAN Chairman, His Eminence, Apostle General Dr. Emmanuel Otutubuike Agomoh, explained why the body modified the Abia Governorship Debate while inaugurating The Abia State 2023 Governorship Candidates Interface Organizing Committee in his Umuahia office.
The statement quoted Apostle General Agomoh as saying: “This committee was remodelled to expand and build on the established Governorship Debate earlier organized by Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria for Candidates vying for Governorship positions in Abia State.
The Church Leaders in Abia State met and reviewed the model and resolved that CAN, would now, in synergy with Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), and other blocs of CAN, organize an Interface with the 18Governorship Candidates vying for the Number One political seat of the state.”
Giving reason for the remodeling of the debate, the CAN Chairman further explained that “the Church Leaders reviewed the previous debates and adopted an interface approach, this of course, is to ensure that Candidates address, at their individual liberty, the cross-sections of Church leaders, professional bodies, NGOs and CSOs, wherein they will present their manifestos, in a more decent and matured manner, to avoid unnecessary verbal attacks by Candidates on their opponents in a Debate Platform.”
Engr. Mgbeahuru disclosed that while inaugurating the Committee, Agomoh, charged the Committee to be transparent, objective and committed in the discharge of their duties.
According to the CAN Chairman, the Committee has the responsibility to reach out to all the Governorship Candidates in the State to ensure that they all participate and adhere to the timetable the Committee would provide as guideline.
He reiterated that Abia State CAN, Abia would appreciate that all candidates should make themselves available for this important electioneering event, warning that “any candidate who failed to physically participate in the interface would be viewed as unserious.”
Apart from the interface, the Committee was also empowered to also organize “the Signing of the Peace Accord by all Governorship Candidates,” on behalf of the organization.
Responding, the Chairman of the Abia State 2023 Governorship Candidates Interface Organizing Committee, Apostle Dr. Chuks Alozie, on behalf of the committee members, thanked the leadership of CAN for finding them worthy to serve the body of Christ in this magnitude.
Alozie assured that the Committee would work assiduously and round the clock to deliver on “this divine assignment.”
He said that the 2023 General Elections was very important to all citizens of Abia State and pledged that his Committee would discharge their duties fairly, justly and objectively.
Apostle Dr Alozie appealed to the governorship candidates to cooperate with the Committee, assuring that every candidate’s interest would be well protected.
He further said that the Committee would hit the ground running, bearing in mind that its “task was so enormous and demanding.”
Other Committee members include Engr Dr. Okechukwu E. Mgbeahuru who will serve as Secretary, while the rest are: Mr. Oliver Onuoha and Rev Fr. Dr. David Aguneri (both of the CSN bloc); Elder Ukachi V. Uche (TEKAN/ECWA), Sp. Snr. Apostle N. K. Amogu (OAIC) and Apostle Dr. Graceman Iheanacho (CPFN/PFN).