PRESS RELEASE
The Governorship Candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Enugu State, Chief Ocho Obodoeze has condemned the suppression of constitutionally guaranteed freedom of religion in the State by the administration of Governor Peter Mbah.
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Obodoeze spoke on Thursday while on a solidarity visit to the Chief Imam of Owerri Road Central Mosque Enugu, Imam Murtala Dahiru and other Muslim leaders who were reportedly barred by the police from attending Jumat Service last Friday.
The action of the police was linked to a petition by a Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties, Alhaji Yusuf Sambo, claiming that he had removed Imam Dahiru as the Chief Imam.
However, the Council of Ulamas and Imams of Enugu State threw their weight behind the embattled Imam Dahiru, insisting that Alhaji Sambo, has no authority to remove the Imam.
Speaking during the solidarity visit to the Imam and other Muslim leaders, Obodoeze who was accompanied by his running mate, Angela Dilioha, described the police action linked to Governor Mbah’s aide as most reprehensible.
According to him, the government has no powers whatsoever to interfere either directly or through its agents or proxies in the affairs of any religious organisation in any part of Nigeria.
He maintained that every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
Quoting Obodoeze: “This freedom is provided for in Section 38 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), enshrined under Chapter IV of the Constitution on Fundamental Human Rights.
“Barring you and your congregation from accessing your place of worship is not only an infringement on religious freedom, but a shameful desecration of a sacred ground. This dastardly act is a recipe for anarchy in the country.
“The Government cannot dictate what happens in the Mosque or Church. Nigeria is not a totalitarian state like Germany under Adolf Hitler or Uganda under Idi Amin.
“Unfortunately, that is the direction we are heading in Enugu State. While the people are battling to survive the government’s ruthless and inhumane taxation policies, they have gone ahead to clamp down on our fundamental human rights, which are guaranteed by the constitution and international conventions, such as the United Nations Charter on Human Rights and African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.”
Speaking further, Obodoeze cautioned Governor Mbah and his lieutenants to respect the boundary between politics and religion, while urging the Nigerian Police to always adhere strictly to the constitution in the execution of their duties.
He assured the Muslim community in Enugu State that their religious freedom would be guaranteed if he becomes the Governor.
“My agenda prioritises the Rule of Law, including supremacy of the law, equality before the law and fundamental human rights and we must ensure that they are upheld in Enugu State in totality if I become Governor.
“If you vote for me and the ADC Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amechi in the coming election, your fundamental human rights will be guaranteed because ADC believes in Rule of Law,” Obodoeze said.
Notable among others in Obodoeze’s entourage were the Enugu State Caretaker Secretary of ADC, Comrade A. C Ude and the Organising Secretary, Lolo Queen Nwankwo.
Signed:
Paul Anigbogu
Enugu ADC Media Team.