By Mimi Chiadikaobi
- A cleric, Rev. Fr.Peter Uzoezie, Parish Priest, St Francis Catholic Parish,Enugwu- Ukwu have called on politicians not to use politics to divide the society.
The priest said that politics was meant to build up the society for the common good of all citizens irrespective of their social status, religious line and political affiliation.
Uzoezie made the call on Sunday in Enugwu-Ukwu community in Njikoka Local Government Area, Anambra State during a church thanksgiving by, Mr Emeka Ozumba who contested for the State Assembly primary election on the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance(APGA) but lost to Mr Chidi Ibemeka, incumbent member representing Njikoka 1 state constituency.
He charged the public not to allow themselves to be negatively influenced by politicians who still maintains their relationships after the elections and create false impression of enemity between their opponents leading to their supporters fighting each other.
Uzoezie commended Ibeamaka for joining Ozumba in his thanksgiving after his loss to him during APGA’s state assembly primary even uninvited and described the conduct as worth emulating by other politicians.
” There are no reasons to hold bitterness against each other in anything in life,note that a seat will be taken by one person at a time.
” This is political maturity at play and huge spirit of sportsmanship in display,politicians across the country should emulate this humility,” Uzoezie said.
He also warmed party faithful to shun politics of bitterness and sounded stern warning that the church will not be roped into politics of bitterness rather he advised the people to be politically active by participating conscientiously.
Uzoezie urged the public to shun the ideology of one party system and warmed politicians to unite the nation rather than being cancerous to the system but act through open system where the act of inclusiveness happens giving room for richer political participation by all interested parties.
Speaking at the service of the thanksgiving, Chief Clement Nwafor who spoke on behalf Ozumba said that they came to thank God for successful electioneering process which recorded no casualty.
Nwafor also commended those that voted for the aspirant and thanked those who did not vote for him as their right to vote their choice of represntative.
In response,the state lawmarker Ibeamaka said that he heard of the thanksgiving of Ozumba after losing the primary election to him and he decided to come join him for the thanksgiving service as a mark of respect and for soldarity to his fotoprint.
Ibeamaka said that he holds Ozumba in high esteem and respect knowing that he had been in politics before him and pray for true unity amongst them to face the main election
