2023: We’ve not endorse any candidate – Ikot Ekpene Catholic Diocese
The Catholic Diocese of Ikot Ekpene has denies endorsing any candidate for the 2023 general elections in Nigeria.
This is contained in a release signed by the Diocesan Chancellor, Very Rev Fr Gordian Otu on Monday, 20th February 2023 and made available to MORENEWS.NG.
According to the release, the Catholic Church remains non partisan and therefore the Bishop cannot endorse any candidate for any elective position in government.
Recall that recently, the media have been a washed with the news of a purported endorsement of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District, Sen Godswill Akpabio by the Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria (CYON).
In a swift reaction, the Church said, “The attention of His Lordship. Most Rev. Camillus Raymond Umoh. has been drawn to articles on social media on the purported endorsement or non- endorsement of any particular candidate in the 2023 elections by the diocese.””
The Church further stated “that candidates of any party, seeking the audience of the Bishop, have always been received by him without at the same time translating to endorsement of any, in line with Catholic principles.(sic)””
The release maintained that the Bishop guarantees the freedom of association and promotes political dialogue and engagement with any candidate that desires to meet with him or other Catholics without imposing choices on the faithful.
The Church condemned the attempts to heat up the political space with false information and forced statements describing it as unethical.
They called on the public to discard all unauthorized statements on behalf of the Bishop and the diocese.
It’s added, “Akwa Ibom citizens should not be intimidated in any manner nor be misled for or against any candidate. Everyone is encouraged to make an informed choice and vote wisely in the forthcoming elections according to one’s conscience. The Bishop prays for peaceful and credible elections through which the citizens of Nigeria will elect their leaders,” the Statement concludes.
Meanwhile, a revered knight of the Catholic Church who pleaded anonymity while also reacting to the purported endorsement noting that it was easier for a cow to go through the eye of the needle than for any of the three primary organizations of the Catholic church to endorse Akpabio’s Senatorial candidacy, citing neutrality, zoning, justice, and equity.
Describing such news as false, malicious and desperation taken too far, the knight of the church recalled how Akpabio was recently ordered to drop his broom if he wants to thank God and not wave it at the altar.
He advised politicians to go about issue-based campaigns without dragging in, the name of the holy mother church.
