By Emmanuel Eze
The Labour Party Governorship candidate in Enugu State, Chijioke Jonathan Edeoga, has denied ever issuing any statement against the Catholic Church or complaining over alleged marginalisation of Anglicans by anybody or group in Enugu State.
Edeoga, said that the fake statement making the rounds in the social media was planted by the his political opponents in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, adding that he married a Catholic and daughter of late Justice Anthony Obayi of Nguru Nsukka and wedded in the Catholic Church, not minding that he is an Anglican.
He further told reporters that the PDP was trying to use trickery and subterfuge to divide the Christiandom in Enugu State and advised Christians to be wary of any message attributed to the Labour Party or its candidates at this time of elections in which they are losing.
His words, “my attention has been drawn to a false press statement by my Media Office, stating that the Anglican Archbishop of Enugu, Most Rev Emmanuel Chukwuma endorsed me and complaining that Catholics had been marginalising Anglicans… This is malicious and absolute falsehood. My Media Office is composed of Catholics and Anglicans who are very experienced media practitioners and has never issued a statement like the one I am being associated with. From my investigations, the false press statement being circulated was surreptitiously planted in a radio house and other opposition online media houses by one Onyishi (full name withheld) from Nsukka.
“In the first place, the Catholic Church has been the major driver of this revolution we are experiencing in the ongoing campaigns elections. My wife is the daughter of late Justice Anthony Obayi from Nguru Nsukka and we married in the Catholic Church, my being an Anglican not withstanding. We all know that being a Catholic or Anglican or Methodist or Presbyterian or a member of any other denomination is caused by the circumstances of our births. I did not pledge to marginalise the Catholic Church or any Christian denomination or even any section of Enugu State. The Labour Party came into the scene to correct the mistakes of those who have been lording it over us including the PDP. I am an Obedient member of Labour Party with Peter Obi, as our leader, Peter Obi, battles to retrieve our collective mandate. I will not do anything untoward. Please vote for Labour Party candidates in the March 11, 2023 governorship and House of Assembly elections to enable us make the desired impact of bringing development to the people of Enugu State. I beg our people not to listen to falsehoods.”
